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!
New Delhi: 'Band of Maharajas', directed by Girish Malik and featuring music by Bickram Ghosh, has entered the race for Oscar 2025 eligibility in two categories: Best Original Song for 'Ishq Walla Daku' and Best Original Score. This milestone celebrates the global recognition of Indian storytelling and music. In an exclusive interview with Zee News Digital, Ghosh praised Malik's visionary approach, remarking, "He visualizes through sound. He's a man who sees not only through his eyes but through his ears as well." Their collaboration, which began in 2009, stems from a shared passion for unique and meaningful cinema. The film narrates the journey of three musicians from Punjab who cross into Pakistan, defying societal resistance to use music as a unifying force. Malik shared his personal connection to the story, saying, "Right from childhood, I came from the borders, Punjab, which is another reason for understanding and making this film." This connection fuels the film's authenticity and depth. Reflecting on their earlier Oscar-recognized project, Jal, Ghosh hinted at a possible re-release, saying, "There are many fans who are expecting a re-release of Jal. Yes, we are contemplating to re-release Jal." On the inspiration behind the film, Malik explained, "Our inspiration is the search for greater music. I wanted to write a film that brings back the old times." Malik added to the film's emotional resonance, highlighting the line: "Tumko Hindustan se prem hai ya Pakistan? Mujhe apne desh se mohobat hai." This sentiment underscores the film's exploration of patriotism, music, and cross-border unity. Ghosh described Oscar contention as a "gift from the cosmos," celebrating the recognition of their heartfelt efforts. As Band of Maharajas continues its journey, it shines as a beacon of Indian cinema, showcasing the power of music to transcend borders and bring people together.
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 >
Oscars 2025: Academy invites 534 new members, including Ariana Grande, Ayushmann Khurrana, Conan O'Brien and more. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (the body behind the Oscars) has invited 534 new individuals to become members. It's the biggest batch since 2020, covering a wide range, actors, comedians, cinematographers, directors, musicians, and more. Alongside Hollywood names such as Sebastian Stan, Mikey Madison, and Ariana Grande, this year's list also includes major Indian talent. Actors such as Kamal Haasan, Ayushmann Khurrana, cinematographer Ranabir Das, costume designe ...Read More >
Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], July 5 (ANI): Telangana BJP president N Ramchander Rao on Saturday accused the Congress of misleading the country with its claim that the BJP-led government at the Centre wants to change the Constitution. He added that AICC has now become the 'All India Cheating Congress'. "The words 'secular' and 'socialist' were not there in the Constitution. It was added after the 42nd Amendment. The Amendment was brought during the Emergency. Emergency was a black day in the democratic history of our country. So, the original Constitution did not have the words 'secular' and ...Read More >
Mumbai, July 13: Veteran actor Kota Srinivasa Rao's passing has left the film industry in mourning. Megastar Chiranjeevi and actor-producer Vishnu Manchu have expressed their grief and paid heartfelt tributes to the legendary actor on social media. Chiranjeevi took to his X handle to remember Rao's remarkable contribution to Indian cinema. He tweeted in Telugu which translates, "The news of the passing of legendary actor and multi-talented personality Sri Kota Srinivasa Rao garu has deeply saddened me. We both began our film careers together with the movie "Praanam Khareedu." Since then, he ac ...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 >
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 >
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 >
Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Jana Sena leader Pawan Kalyan extended heartfelt congratulations to film icon Kamal Haasan following his invitation to join the prestigious Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) -- the organization responsible for presenting the Oscars. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Pawan Kalyan called Kamal Haasan's recognition a moment of "immense pride to Indian film industry". He praised Haasan as a "phenomenal actor" with cinematic brilliance spanning six decades and described him as more than just an actor -- a storyteller, director, ...Read More >
Mumbai, July 18 (SocialNews.XYZ) Actress Freida Pinto is all set to star in streaming giant Netflix's upcoming series "Unaccustomed Earth," an adaptation of the Jhumpa Lahiri short story collection. Pinto will play Parul Chaudhury in the series, which was originally announced in April. As previously reported, Netflix has commissioned eight episodes, reports variety.com. The official tagline for the show states that it is "an epic, soapy, and culturally vibrant drama about a tight-knit Indian American community navigating love, desire, and belonging." "Rich with nuance, passion, and unforget ...Read More >
Patna, July 19 (SocialNews.XYZ) In a major action against corruption, the State Vigilance Unit (SVU) on Saturday arrested Sub-Inspector Putul Kumari, the SHO of the Women's Police Station in Samastipur, for accepting a bribe of Rs 20,000. Her driver was also arrested in the case. The arrest has created a stir within the police department. According to an official, Putul Kumari was caught red-handed while taking the bribe from Rajiv Ranjan, a resident of Chhatauna village under Mufassil police station limits, in connection with an assault case. Rajiv Ranjan had filed a written complaint with ...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 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 : Filmmaker Subhash Ghai recently took a trip down memory lane as he remembered the late actor Irrfan Khan. Ghai shared an old photo from an award ceremony with the actor, along with an emotional note that quickly caught the attention of fans online. In the photo, Ghai and Irrfan can be seen smiling. Ghai, who worked with Irrfan in the film 'Right Yaa Wrong,' took to his Instagram account to share a post praising him not just as an actor but as someone who deeply understood the art of storytelling. He wrote, "I have always been more in admiration of good and great actors than just co ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 30 (PTI) Cinema veteran Naseeruddin Shah on Monday defended Punjabi star Diljit Dosanjh amid backlash over Pakistani actor Hania Aamir's role in "Sardaar Ji 3", saying casting is not the actor-musician's responsibility. The row began last week after Dosanjh shared the trailer of "Sardaar Ji 3", which made its debut in overseas territories on June 27 and skipped release in India. Many social media users have called for a ban on Dosanjh, while trade unions like the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) and the Federation of Western lndia Cine Employees (FWICE) have critici ...Read More >
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 1 (ANI): Ahead of the release of Anupam Kher's directorial 'Tanvi The Great', Oscar-winning sound editor Resul Pookutty opened up about his experience collaborating with the cinema icon on his upcoming film. Speaking with ANI, Resul lauded Anupam Kher for his work and said it is quite inspiring to see the 'body of work he has done'. 'Being with him, working with him is like a tribute to the body of work that he has done, you know. As a film student, I really got inspired by his films. I love him as a person, as an actor and a filmmaker,' Resul said. The fi ...Read More >
Bengaluru, Jul 14 (PTI) As actor Khushbu Sundar puts it, with the passing away of legendary actor B Saroja Devi, an era of golden cinema comes to an end. The actress known for her doe-eyed beauty and endearing screen presence made her debut when she was only 17 years old, as a co-star of Honnappa Bhagavathar, one of the pioneers of Kannada cinema in 'Mahakavi Kalidasa' (1955). Bengaluru-born Saroja Devi would eventually be crowned the first female super star of Kannada cinema. Soon after her death, another film legend from Bengaluru who made it big in Tamil Nadu, Superstar Rajnikanth, took ...Read More >
Maharaja, a Tamil suspense film directed by Nithilan Swaminathan, becomes the first Indian film to release in China post-normalization of ties. The film holds a high rating in China and competes with Hollywood's Gladiator II and local film Her Story. It is expected to resonate with Chinese audiences. Maharaja, a Tamil suspense film, is making history as the first Indian film to be released in China following the resolution of the Indo-China border standoff. Directed by Nithilan Swaminathan, the movie, starring Vijay Sethupathi and others, is set to captivate Chinese audiences. Receiving a hi ...Read More >
IMAGE: Vikrant Massey in The Sabarmati Express. At 46, Quentin Tarantino said he would quit Hollywood at the age of 60 after he directs his 10th movie, reasoning he wouldn't want to linger on past his prime. He's 61 now and still deciding on the script of his much-hyped grand finale. Academy-award winner Daniel Day Lewis announced he would hang his boots in 2017 only to make an exception, seven years later for son Ronan's direction, Anemone. Back home, Vikrant Massey is grabbing headlines by his sudden decision to retire from films. 'Coming 2025, we would meet each other for one last time ...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 >
Kolkata, June 28: A political slugfest has erupted in West Bengal after a woman accused Padma Shree awardee monk Kartik Maharaj, who is posted with the Murshidabad unit of Bharat Sevashram Sangha, of allegedly raping her 12 times for six months in 2013. As per the police complaint lodged by the woman, Kartik Maharaj raped her multiple times 12 years ago promising her a job at a local school. The ruling Trinamool Congress is highlighting the issue in a major way and accusing the BJP of being silent on it since the accused monk had been reportedly close to the saffron party. The woman accusin ...Read More >
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 o ...Read More >
PNN New Delhi [India], July 7: India's marquee motorsport league returns this August with 5 high-octane rounds. The Indian Racing Festival (IRF), India's premier city-based motorsport league, has just entered a thrilling new chapter as Kannada megastar Kichcha Sudeepa officially acquires the Bengaluru franchise and launches his racing team: Kichcha's Kings Bengaluru (KKB). This landmark move is more than a business decision -- it's a defining cultural crossover between the silver screen and the speed track, bringing with it the energy and influence of one of South India's most celebrated sta ...Read More >
Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], July 13 (ANI): The Telugu film industry and fans across the country were left heartbroken on Sunday morning with the news of veteran actor and former MLA Kota Srinivasa Rao death. He was 83. Soon after the news of his death broke, several political leaders, film stars, and close friends began arriving at his residence to pay their last respects. From Tollywood megastar Chiranjeevi to Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, many were seen offering condolences to Rao family. Actor Prakash Raj also visited Rao residence to pay his tribute to the late ac ...Read More >
New Delhi, Neeraj Ghaywan's "Homebound", horror-comedy "Stree 2" and hit shows like "Black Warrant" and "Paatal Lok 2" are among the films and shows nominated for the 2025th edition of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. IFFM, which celebrates the best of Indian cinema and streaming, on Monday unveiled its nominations list for the 2025 edition, which will take place between August 14 and August 24, in Melbourne, Australia. The IFFM Awards Night, during which the winners of the categories wil ...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 >
New Delhi, Jun 30 (PTI) Cinema veteran Naseeruddin Shah on Monday defended Punjabi star Diljit Dosanjh amid backlash over Pakistani actor Hania Aamir's role in "Sardaar Ji 3", saying casting is not the actor-musician's responsibility. The row began last week after Dosanjh shared the trailer of "Sardaar Ji 3", which made its debut in overseas territories on June 27 and skipped release in India. Also Read | 'Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan': Vikrant Massey Opens Up on Choosing Quality Over Quantity in Films, Says Deep Preparation Matters More Than Just Shooting Days. Many social media users have call ...Read More >
New Delhi: Yash starrer Ramayana, the epic saga, is set to begin its highly anticipated cinematic journey with an unprecedented nationwide launch. Ramayana: The Introduction will be unveiled across 9 cities in India on July 3. The nine-city revel are Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune, and Kochi is designed to bring the scale and ambition of the project directly to audiences across the country. Ahead of the grand launch, Yash's fans have set Twitter on fire, trending the KGF superstar's name hours before his first glimpse as Ravana drops from Nitesh Tiwari ...Read More >
With a huge rollout, Namit Malhotra's ambitious epic Ramayana has made a spectacular debut on two continents and garnered international attention. The movie, which is already regarded as one of the most anticipated film events of the decade, had a spectacular Indian premiere in nine major cities before illuminating Times Square in New York, demonstrating its genuinely global appeal. The Indian leg of the launch saw Ramayana unveiled in tremendous style across Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, ...Read More >