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!
Mumbai, Jul 7 (PTI) Guru Dutt's legacy is not of awards but of silence, the kind that lingers on after the screen fades to black, says Mahesh Bhatt about the legendary filmmaker who "let beauty crumble into truth". Dutt, regarded as amongst the greatest filmmakers of Indian cinema with films such as "Pyaasa", "Kaagaz Ke Phool" and "Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam", would have been 100 on July 9. He was found dead, possibly from a cocktail of sleeping pills and alcohol, in 1964 when he was just 39. "He took the aching mess of human life, and turned it into poetry that could pierce even silence. Those of us who came after we carried forward the wound. We do not celebrate a hundred years of Guru Dutt. We return to him," Bhatt told PTI. The filmmaker said he was captivated when he first saw a large photograph of Dutt at Raj Khosla's office. "Guru Dutt's legacy isn't made of awards, posters, or reels. It is made of silence. The kind that enters a room after the screen goes black and stays. He was our Vyasa (the sage who wrote Mahabharata). "Guru Dutt took private anguish and gave it mythic proportions. He lit his characters with compassion and contradiction. He let the poet in him rage. He let the woman feel to the point of tears. He let beauty crumble into truth. 'Waqt ne kiya' that ageless song from 'Kaagaz ke Phool' is a throbbing wound. His legacy is not a style you can copy. It is a wound you must survive," Bhatt told PTI. The filmmaker-producer said he was working on his 1982 acclaimed film "Arth" when poet-lyricist Kaifi Azmi remarked that he had inherited Dutt's pain as a protege of Khosla. "We were working on a song for 'Arth'. Jagjit Singh was shaping the early melody of 'Tum Itna Jo Muskura Rahe Ho'. Kaifi saab sat quietly, listening not just to the tune, but to the wound behind it. And then, in his unmistakably gentle voice, he said to me: 'Tumne Guru Dutt ka dard virasat mein paaya hai. Pain is your legacy'. "He wasn't romanticising it. He was naming it. I had been Raj Khosla's assistant, and Raj Khosla had been Guru Dutt's assistant. That was the line. Not one of fame, but of fracture, not of ambition but ache, wounds passed down like sacred relics. He was right." The 76-year-old writer-director said he carried the wound into his own work. "Arth", "Saaransh", "Daddy" and "Zakhm", Bhatt said, weren't just films but echoes and testament to what Kaifi Azmi saw that day. "Proof that pain, if you dare not flee it, becomes your voice. And if that voice refuses to lie -- it becomes cinema." Bhatt remembers the first time he watched the 1957 masterpiece "Pyaasa" in a theatre, and how deeply it touched his soul. "Guru Dutt is not a memory for me. He is a wound that never healed. He's not a figure from the past, I carry him inside me. His cinema invaded me as a boy sitting in the front stalls of Citylight cinema. 'Pyaasa' didn't entertain me; it undressed me. It showed me what it meant to ache without apology," Bhatt said. "Even today, when the lights dim and I hear the rustle of silence before a scene, it is his ghost I meet. He is the one who taught me that sorrow, when surrendered to, becomes your signature. He is less my inspiration and more my inheritance," he said. Bhatt said filmmakers like Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Vishal Bhardwaj, and Mohit Suri, carry forward the same passion that Dutt embodied in their unique way. "Guru Dutt cannot be reproduced, only echoed. There are filmmakers who carry a similar hunger for truth and beauty like Sanjay Leela Bhansali, in his obsessive pursuit of the lyrical frame, and Vishal Bhardwaj, in his willingness to explore pain through music and poetry, Anurag Kashyap, when he lets his darkness speak without disguise, Mohit Suri in how he listens to silences and centres the unseen through his use of music," he said. "These filmmakers may walk different roads, but like Guru Dutt, they understand that cinema, when it dares to feel deeply, becomes poetry in motion and that perhaps, is how the flame continues to burn. Not loudly, but faithfully," Bhatt said. PTI KKP BK MIN MIN
Kareena Kapoor Khan brought a deeply personal and touching element to her meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi by requesting him to write a heartfelt message for her two sons, Taimur Ali Khan and Jeh Ali Khan, who were unable to attend the event. A memorable highlight from the gathering showcased Kareena watching intently, her expression radiating pride and warmth, as the Prime Minister inscribed a note dedicated to her children, affectionately called "Tim and Jeh."Kareena Kapoor Khan added ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Dilip Kumar, the 'Tragedy King' of Indian cinema, continues to be remembered for his unmatched contributions to Bollywood. Born on December 11, 1922, as Muhammad Yusuf Khan in Peshawar, Pakistan, he ruled the silver screen with his impeccable acting skills, emotional depth, and charisma. On the occasion of his birth anniversary, let's take a trip down memory lane to revisit some of the most iconic roles that made Dilip Kumar a cinematic legend, a man who left an indelible mark on Indian cinema. 1. 'Andaz' (1949) In 'Andaz', Dilip Kumar shared the screen with Nargis and Raj Kapoo ...Read More >
Mumbai, Dec 12 (PTI) Malayalam superstar Mohanlal says he will definitely come and work in Hindi movies if filmmakers in Bollywood offer him roles. One of the most influential Malayalam cinema stars, Mohanlal has been part of over 300 films, including all time hits such as "Manichitrathazhu", "Kireedam", "Bharatham", "Drishyam" and "Pulimurugan". "I have done a couple of Hindi films also. But now most of my other films are dubbed into Hindi. When somebody calls me for a role I'll definitely come and work. I don't mind. I don't have a choice. As actors we don't have a choice. Let it come. Let ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 11 (PTI) A day after the members of Raj Kapoor's family met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bollywood star Kareena Kapoor Khan thanked him for inviting them to "commemorate the extraordinary life and legacy" of their grandfather ahead of the cinema icon's birth centenary. The Kapoor family, including actors Ranbir Kapoor, Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, and Neetu Kapoor, met the prime minister on Tuesday and invited him to the Raj Kapoor Film Festival to be held to celebrate the occasion. December 14, 2024 marks the 100th birth anniversary of Raj Kapoor, an actor, editor, a director, and ...Read More >
Itanagar, Jun 7 (PTI) The flood situation in Arunachal Pradesh improved on Saturday with water levels of most rivers receding, even as 33,000 people in 24 districts remained affected, officials said. Twelve people lost their lives and one person went missing in rain-related incidents, including landslides, after the monsoon set in, they said. In its daily report, the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) said 33,200 people in 215 villages remained affected due to floods and landslides in the state. The water levels of most major rivers and their tributaries were showing a receding trend o ...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 >
Guwahati, Jun 8 (PTI) Eminent personalities and residents of the capital city of Assam on Sunday slammed the BJP-led government for cutting dozens of trees on the pretext of translocating a few of them for construction of a flyover in the heart of Guwahati. Students of Cotton University took out a march from their campus to Ambari area in protest of felling of the trees, but they were stopped by police. The government is constructing a four-lane 5.05 km long flyover, the longest in the city, from Dighalipukhuri tank to Noonmati at a cost of Rs 852.68 crore. It is scheduled to become operatio ...Read More >
Mumbai: Bollywood actress Rekha's cult film 'Umrao Jaan' is all set to enchant the audience once again on June 27. Director Muzaffar Ali and Rekha hosted a special re-release screening of the film today in Mumbai. The event was graced by AR Rahman, Tabu, Anil Kapoor and others. Rekha stunned everyone in a traditional white outfit with golden embroidery that reminded of her iconic character of Umrao Jaan from the film. She posed for the camera with the director and ace music composer AR Rahman. Rekha can also be seen dancing with Anil Kapoor in a fun moment. Superstar Aamir Khan looked dash ...Read More >
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 4 (ANI): The pre-wedding celebrations of filmmaker Anurag Kashyap's daughter, Aaliyah Kashyap, have officially begun, with her best friend Khushi Kapoor sharing her excitement on social media. On Wednesday, Khushi took to her Instagram Stories to re-share a picture from the festivities. The image featured Aaliyah, her fiance Shane Gregoire, and their close friends, including Khushi, Ida Ali (daughter of filmmaker Imtiaz Ali), and others. The group, dressed in traditional attire, looked stunning as they posed for the camera. Also Read | Maryam Faisal's X ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jan 17 (PTI) Veteran journalist and writer Humra Quraishi, who died due to heart failure and diabetic complications, was known as an advocate for truth, justice and as a champion for the marginalised. Quraishi breathed her last at a hospital in Gurugram on Thursday, her daughter Sarah Quraishi told PTI. She was 70. Also Read | Indian Army's 'Sambhav' Smart Phone Used During China Border Talks for Secure Communication. Born in Shahjahanpur in Uttar Pradesh on April 25, 1956, Quraishi worked as a Delhi-based writer and columnist. Also Read | Saif Ali Khan Stabbing Case: 'Bring a S ...Read More >
Mumbai, June 27 (SocialNews.XYZ) Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana joins names such as Kamal Haasan, Ariana Grande, and Jeremy Strong at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences this year. Ayushmann along with names such as Kamal Haasan Naomi Ackie, Gillian Anderson, Branford Marsalis, Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Graham, Jodie Comer and Jason Momoa are among 534 individuals who were invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences on June 26. "We are thrilled to invite this esteemed class of artists, technologists, and professionals to join the Academy," said Ac ...Read More >
Hyderabad: Kamal Haasan has added yet another feather to his already illustrious cap. The screen icon known for redefining Indian cinema with pathbreaking performances is now officially a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Haasan becomes only the second Indian actor ever to receive an invitation from the Academy. The first? Tamil star Suriya, who was inducted in 2022. But Haasan isn't the only Indian in the Academy's Class of 2025. This year, the Academy has inducted 534 global talents and it is the largest batch since 2020. Kamal aside, over a dozen Indians across ca ...Read More >
'Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein' (2001) is a romantic drama directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon, marking the Bollywood debut of R Madhavan and Dia Mirza. At the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, actor R Madhavan opened up about the emotional journey of his iconic film 'Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein' (RHTDM), which has achieved cult status over the years. The film, initially released in 2001, marked a significant milestone in Bollywood, both for R Madhavan and his co-star Dia Mirza, as it was their debut film. Directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon, the romantic drama also starred Saif ...Read More >
Mumbai: The driver of the BEST bus Sanjay More on Tuesday was sent to police custody till December 21. The bus that rammed into pedestrians and multiple vehicles in Kurla West on Monday evening, claimed seven lives and left 42 others injured, As many as 22 vehicles were damaged in the incident at around 9.30 pm on Monday on the SG Barve Marg in Kurla (West). The bus operated by the civic-run Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking hit several vehicles and pedestrians following which More, was detained. The injured persons were undergoing treatment in various medical f ...Read More >
Mumbai, June 4: Dreams do come true, says filmmaker RS Prasanna who went from being a cheerleader for Aamir Khan as the accepted an award for "Taare Zameen Par" in 2007 to finally directing him in its sequel "Sitaare Zameen Par". Prasanna, known for "Kalyana Samayal Saadham" in Tamil and its Hindi remake "Shubh Mangal Saavdhan", was still in film school in 2007 when he watched "Taare Zameen Par". "I remember bawling my eyes out while watching 'Taare Zameen Par' with my friends, and my then-girlfriend, now wife. When Aamir sir won the Best Debut Director award at the Gollapudi Srinivas Award, ...Read More >
Bengaluru, Jun 7 (PTI) A 26-year-old man allegedly beheaded his wife following a heated argument on the outskirts of Bengaluru after he suspected her of having an extra-marital affair, police said on Saturday. After killing Manasa, Shankar travelled with her severed head on his scooter to the nearest police station and confessed to the crime, they said. The man was later arrested, police said, adding that the incident occurred at Heelalige village, near Chandapura, Anekal taluk late on Friday. According to the police, the couple were married for over five years and have a four-year-old daug ...Read More >
Mumbai: The VELS Film International production studio has unveiled its ambitious slate of diverse films, which are slated for release between 2025 and 2027. Mumbai: Through an Instagram post, VELS shared a video that offers a glimpse into the studio's upcoming titles--spanning commercial blockbusters, socially rooted dramas, and high-concept genre films--further solidifying its position as a powerhouse in Indian cinema. The slate features collaborations with some of the most accomplished and promising filmmakers in Indian cinema, including Sundar C, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Vetri Maaran, Mari ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jun 6 (PTI) Actors Pankaj Tripathi and Aditi Rao Hydari will be featuring together in an upcoming film, titled "Parivarik ManuRanjan". Filled with laughter, love, chaos and music, the family entertainer is about a "perfectly mismatched duo", the makers said in a statement. It is backed by Vinod Bhanushali of Bhanushali Studios Limited and Himanshu Mehra. Filmmaker Ali Abbas Zafar's serves as the creative producer through his banner AAZ Films. "Parivarik ManuRanjan" will be directed by Varun V Sharma, who served as a writer on Zafar's 2019 movie "Bharat", starring Salman Khan and Kat ...Read More >
Gurgaon: Two days after a law student died and his friend suffered critical injuries when a car knocked them down as they stood near railing on the service lane of Delhi-Jaipur highway in the early hours of Tuesday, a civil engineer was arrested on Thursday.Mohit (31), an employee of a private company in the city, told police that he got drowsy while driving. He is staying at a PG facility in Sector 14.The student who died, Harsh Singhal (25), was a resident of Om Nagar colony. His friend Abhishek Kumar (23), who is from Shanti Nagar in Sector 11, is undergoing treatment at a private hospital ...Read More >
Chennai, June 27: The prestigious Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which presents the Oscar Awards each year, has now extended an invitation to one of Indian cinema's iconic stars Kamal Haasan to join it. The Academy has extended invitations to 534 artists and executives who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to motion pictures to join it this year and Kamal Haasan is one among them. Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang said,"We are thrilled to invite this esteemed class of artists, technologists, and professionals to join the Academy. Through ...Read More >
This is a celebration of everyone who worked so passionately on the film, says the celebrated director. History was made as Payal Kapadia became the first Indian director to have won a Golden Globe nomination for Best Director. Her much talked about movie, 'All We Imagine as Light' has won two GG nominations in total. One for Best Director and the other for Best Motion Picture (Non-English). The two prestigious nominations at the 82nd Golden Globes mark a milestone in Indian cinema. After Canne ...Read More >
Chandigarh, Jan 2 (PTI) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday claimed that the Centre was trying to"bring back" the now-repealed farm laws, referring to the newly announced draft of the National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing. The AAP-led Punjab government has termed the newly announced draft policy as an attempt to reintroduce the three central agricultural laws passed in 2020 "through backdoor." After a yearlong protest by farmers, the Centre had repealed the laws. Speaking to reporters here, Mann also stated that the demands of the protesting farmers pertain to the c ...Read More >
Imphal, June 7 (UNI) Three militants were nabbed in separate incidents during the last 24 hours in Manipur, police said on Saturday. Manipur Police arrested a militant from Moidangpok Awang Leikai from Khumbong Bazar under Imphal West District, they said. Security forces arrested a militant from the Elangkhanpokpi Mayai Leikai area under Kakching district. Security forces apprehended a militant from Wangoo Samushang in Bishnupur district and elected members from Kumbi area. In an operation, one M16 rifle, one bolt-action rifle, three pull-mechanism rifles, three improvised mortars, and fiv ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], June 8 (ANI): BJP MP Gulam Ali Khatana, who was part of the all-party parliamentary delegation to Europe, said that during their recently conclued visit they successfully communicated India's development story and its resolute stand against terrorism, particularly emanating from Pakistan. Highlighting the delegation's key discussions during the tour, Khatana told ANI, 'We discussed how we dismantled the terrorism factory in Pakistan by responding... We also talked about tourism infrastructure, G20 Summit, and projects like the six-lane roads, bridges, solar initiatives, our ...Read More >
Hyderabad: Netflix is set to release a highly anticipated documentary series titled The Roshans, offering an intimate glimpse into the world of Bollywood's most influential family, the Roshans. This powerful docu-series traces the remarkable journey of the Roshan family, whose legacy has significantly shaped the Indian film industry. The series delves into the lives of the patriarch, legendary music composer Roshan, and his sons: filmmaker Rakesh Roshan and composer Rajesh Roshan, along with their famous grandson, actor Hrithik Roshan. Hrithik Roshan, sharing the update on his Instagram, expr ...Read More >
Chandigarh, Dec 11 (PTI) Farmer leader from Punjab Jagjit Singh Dallewal's fast unto death at the Khanauri border point to press the Centre to accept farmers' demands, including a legal guarantee on the MSP for crops, entered the 16th day on Wednesday. Farmers on Wednesday held prayers for the success of their agitation going on at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana in support of their various demands and for the good health of Dallewal. Farmers under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) have been camping at Shambhu ...Read More >
Lucknow, Jan 28 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh's tableau at the Republic Day parade has won the first place in the People's Choice Award with 40 per cent votes (25,007), the state government said on Tuesday. The tableau showcased the grandeur of the Maha Kumbh and highlighted the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati in Prayagraj as the world's largest gathering of humanity, the UP government said in a statement. Also Read | January 29 Birthdays and Birth Anniversaries: Know About Famous People and Celebrities Born on January 29. Centered on spirituality, heritage, development, and dig ...Read More >
Hyderabad: Ali Khan Mahmudabad, a 42-year-old Ashoka University associate professor and head of political science department, was recently arrested for social media commentary on 'Operation Sindoor,' thrusting the academic, writer, and former spokesperson of Samajwadi Party into the national spotlight. The Supreme Court on Monday has agreed to hear a plea challenging his arrest, with senior advocate Kapil Sibal calling his statements "entirely patriotic." Academics, opposition leaders and rights activists have widely condemned the arrest. Mahmudabad's social media remarks on the defence oper ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jun 8 (PTI) Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Sunday said his party is ready to come together with anyone who will work to protect the interests of Maharashtra and Marathi manoos, his statement coming amid the rapprochement buzz between the Uddhav Thackeray-led party and Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). Talking to reporters here, Thackeray accused the BJP of "swallowing" Mumbai and Maharashtra. He said injustice is being meted out to Maharashtra by the BJP. "We have been saying this consistently. We are ready to work with anyone, any party that is ready to ...Read More >
Preview shows were organised in China and the audience's reactions are a must-see The Tamil superhit film Maharaja, directed by Nithilan Saminathan, is set for its theatrical release in China on November 29, 2024. Ahead of its release, preview shows were organised in China, and the audience's reactions were reportedly remarkable. A few social media users posted videos and photos on X, highlighting the audience's reaction from the preview shows in China. The viewers could be seen to be completely shocked, dismayed, with raised eyebrows and widened eyes, as they reacted to the climax scene of ...Read More >