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, Aug 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) TV actress Sumbul Touqeer, known for her performance in the show 'Imlie,' has opened up about her unique Raksha Bandhan tradition. She shared how she celebrates the festival by tying rakhi to her sister Sanya. When asked if she ever wished she had a real brother, Sumbul shared, "I never really felt that way. I've never had the feeling that I needed a brother. I have a younger sister, Sanya, and I tie Rakhi to them." "In a way, I think we all protect each other and always will. It's not always about one person being the protector -- it's about supporting and standing up for each other as a family," she added. The actress also revealed that she ties rakhi to her father. "Every year, I also tie Rakhi to my dad at home. I feel that Raksha Bandhan isn't just about a brother-sister relationship; for me, my dad also protects me, so I tie Rakhi to him too." Speaking about how the festival of Rakhi isn't just confined to rituals or customs, Sumbul mentioned, "It's an emotional day. It reminds me to pause and acknowledge the people who are always by my side, whether it's my father, my cousins, or my sister. Raksha Bandhan for everyone is about emotional safety, unconditional love, and mutual respect. It's about recognizing that protection doesn't come from gender -- it comes from the bond we share." Revealing how she celebrates, Sumbul Touqeer shared that she enjoys keeping the festivities close to home and deeply personal. "We usually celebrate it in a very intimate way, at home with family. I tie Rakhi to my dad and cousins, and my sister ties one to me. It's about honouring those who stand by us, love us unconditionally, and make us feel safe. We make each other feel special with small gestures, heartfelt conversations, and of course, sweets." Raksha Bandhan, which will be celebrated on August 9, is a cherished Hindu festival that celebrates the deep and enduring bond between siblings. On this special day, sisters tie a rakhi -- a sacred thread -- around their brothers' wrists as a symbol of love and protection.
Filmmaker Jayan K Cherian; stills from his latest film 'Rhythm of Dammam', on the Siddi Community of Yellapur in Uttara Kannada (north Karnataka). The stunningly shot and evocative Rhythm of Dammam, in Siddi Bhasha, is the first fictional feature ever to be made on the Indian Siddi community that traces its ancestry to Africa. In the film, the pre-teen Jayaram, who lives in Karnataka's Yellapura, is afflicted by his dead grandfather's visions, as his impoverished family fights over supposed buried treasure. But Jayaram is a chosen one, the visitations will lead him to discover his community's ...Read More >
PRAYAGRAJ, India (AP) -- Millions of Hindu devotees, mystics and holy men and women from all across India flocked to the northern city of Prayagraj on Monday to kickstart the Maha Kumbh festival, which is being touted as the world's largest religious gathering. Over about the next six weeks, Hindu pilgrims will gather at the confluence of three sacred rivers -- the Ganges, the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati -- where they will take part in elaborate rituals, hoping to begin a journey to achieve Hindu philosophy's ultimate goal: the release from the cycle of rebirth. Here's what to know abo ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar has written a strongly worded letter to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, criticising General Education Minister V Sivankutty for walking out of a function held at Raj Bhavan on June 19. The Governor described the incident as a breach of protocol and an insult to the constitutional office. The letter, dated June 26, refers to an awards ceremony for the Bharat Scouts and Guides, where Sivankutty -- who also serves as President of the Association's Kerala chapter -- objected to the presence of a garlanded portrait of Bharat Mata on the stage, ...Read More >
Poonch (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], July 19 (ANI): The Army has new CCTV camera to monitor any anti-national activity in the wake of the Baba Budha Amarnath Yatra that will get underway in Poonch sector from July 28. The CCTV cameras have been set up along a 15-kilometre stretch leading to the shrine in Mandi, Poonch. These devotees for the yatra will come from different parts of India under the banner of Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad. Also Read | Mathura Road Accident: 6 Killed As Mini-Van Crashes Into Truck on Yamuna Expressway in Uttar Pradesh (Watch Videos). A residents named Ra ...Read More >
Krishna Janmashtami 2025 will be celebrated with devotion and joy on Friday, 15 August 2025 across India. According to the Hindu Panchang, this sacred festival marks the divine birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, born to Devaki and Vasudeva in Mathura. This year will mark the 5,252nd birth anniversary of Lord Krishna. For devotees in different parts of the country, the auspicious Nishita Puja hours vary slightly: The Nishita Puja is believed to be the precise moment of ...Read More >
BHUBANESWAR: With confusion abounding over the date of Diwali, the Mukti Mandap Pandit Mahasabha at the Shree Jagannath Temple on Wednesday put the matter to rest and declared October 20 as the date for the festival and 'Paya Shradha'. The highest body of pandits also appealed the state government to declare October 20 as public holiday for Diwali instead of the notified date of October 21. As per the astrological calculations, the rituals for 'Paya Shradha' or 'Deepadaana Shradha' and Diwali b ...Read More >
Kedarnath (Uttarakhand) [India], October 23 (ANI): The Kedarnath Dham portals are set to close for winter from today, October 23, at 8:30 am, marking the auspicious occasion of Bhai Dooj. According to Prateek Jain, the District Magistrate of Rudraprayag, this year's Kedarnath yatra has been very successful. The Uttarakhand Chief Minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, will be present at the closing of the temple portal. "This year's Kedarnath Yatra has been very successful. The portals of Kedarnath Dham will be closed tomorrow, October 23, at 8:30 am. The administration has made all arrangements. It ...Read More >
New Delhi: The Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra is not just one of the biggest festivals in the world but also a timeless tribute to devotion, courage, and cultural pride. The Rath Yatra is an ancient festival. The Ratha Yatra in Puri is the world's oldest and largest Hindu chariot festival. It happens every year during the bright half of the lunar month of Ashadh, which falls in June or July. The Puri Rath Yatra is approximately 3 kilometres long and spans from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple in Puri. The three chariots carrying Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra, and his sister Sub ...Read More >
Mumbai, June 28 (SocialNews.XYZ) Late Shefali Jariwala's husband Parag Tyagi said please pray for my pari as he addressed the media following the cremation. A visibly shattered Parag said, "Please mazak drama mat banaiyega. Main ab sab se request karta hu please meri pari ke liye sab pray kariyega' (Please do not make a drama. I request you all to kindly pray for my fairy)" Shefali's final rites were performed at Mumbai's Oshiwara Crematorium by her father, brother, and husband according to Hindu tradition. Shefali's "Bigg Boss 13" co-contestant Sidharth Shukla was also laid to rest at Mumb ...Read More >
Bank holidays in India vary from one region to another. They differ from one state to the next and are often influenced by local festivities, religious events, and regional festivals. Many people in India are unsure about bank holidays. Reserve Bank of India states banks are closed on the second and fourth SaturdaysWith a busy work schedule, many individuals push their bank related work to Saturday to visit the branch and finish transactions. However, it is always confusing to know if this Saturd ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 19 (PTI) India is a secular nation and minorities are safest in this country, Union minister Kiren Rijiju has said, asserting that minorities are enjoying absolute freedom and protection because of the Hindu majority. In an interview with PTI Videos, the Minority Affairs Minister said he has not come across a single case where a member of the minority community is willing to migrate out of India because of being deprived of anything in the country. He accused "the Left ecosystem backed by the Congress party" of running a relentless campaign that minorities are being "tortured, ...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 >
Mumbai, July 19 (SocialNews.XYZ) Actor Harshvardhan Rane, who was last seen in 'The Miranda Brothers', is heaping praise on the recently released film 'Saiyaara', and its team. On Saturday, the actor took to the Stories section of his Instagram, and penned a special note for the film and its makers after it witnessed a stellar opening day. He wrote, "Another melodious example of a love story shattering all myths and formulas of the industry. Honest heart wrenching love story wins again in 2025! #Saiyaara". 'Saiyaara', which stars Aneet Padda, and marks the debut of Ahaan Panday, is helmed b ...Read More >
Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh) [India], July 19 (ANI): Triumala Tirupati Devasthanam on Saturday suspended four employees for allegedly following a non-Hindu faith, citing violation of institutional code. The employees were reportedly following the Christian faith, which violates the code of conduct expected from staff working in a Hindu religious institution, TTD said in a statement on X. Also Read | Indore Shocker: Boy Sodomised, Forced Into Oral Sex on School Campus in Madhya Pradesh; 2 Detained. https://x.com/TTDevasthanams/status/1946440291667579252 "Following a vigilance report and review ...Read More >
Bengaluru: A major controversy has broken out in Karnataka over the state government's decision to invite Booker Prize-winning author and social activist Banu Mushtaq, a Muslim, to inaugurate the Mysuru Dasara celebrations, a festival with deep-rooted religious and cultural significance. This move has sparked major political backlash and drawn responses from the Mysuru royal family. The debate began when Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced that Banu Mushtaq would inaugurate this year's Naada Habba, calling it "a matter of pride for Karnataka." But opposition leaders quickly quest ...Read More >
Thousands of pilgrims, including foreigners, congregated in Digha, West Bengal, for the Rath Yatra festival. The Chief Minister, along with cabinet members, initiated the chariot procession of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra. Rituals commenced in the morning with 'Pahandi Vijay' at the newly-built Jagannath Dham Temple, followed by the idols being placed on the chariots amid devotional chants and festivities.Thousands gathered from different parts of the state to attend the Rath Yatra fe ...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 >
New Delhi [India], July 19 (ANI): Seasoned pacer Mohammed Shami, who missed out on a place in India's squad for the England tour, has been named in Bengal's expanded list of 50 probables for the upcoming domestic season, according to ESPncricinfo. Shami could potentially be a part of the East Zone in the season-opening Duleep Trophy, which kicks off on August 28, which could mark his return to competitive cricket. The 34-year-old, who has 64 Tests, 108 ODIs and 25 T20Is appearances under his belt, hasn't featured for India since the Champions Trophy, which concluded in March earlier this year ...Read More >
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Monday dismissed three petitions opposing the state government's decision to invite Booker Prize-winning author Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate the Mysuru Dasara festival. One of the petitions had been filed by BJP MP Pratap Simha. A division bench of Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C M Joshi ruled that there was no legal bar on inviting a person of another faith to preside over a state function. The judges added that the petitioner's constitutional and legal rights had not been infringed. Appearing for the government, Advocate General Shashi Kirna Sh ...Read More >
The festival of Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, will be celebrated on Thursday, October 2, 2025, across the country. The clarification comes after confusion over whether the festival falls on October 1 or October 2 this year. According to the Hindu Panchang, the Dashami tithi begins on October 1 at 7:01 PM and ends on October 2 at 7:10 PM. Since the major portion of the tithi and the auspicious timings fall on October 2, the festival will be observed that day. As per astrologers, the Vij ...Read More >
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced October 27 as a government holiday for the Chhath festival. The holiday falls on a Monday, marking the most significant day of the four-day celebration. Devotees will offer prayers to the setting Sun. The festival honors nature, the Sun God, and Chhathi Maiya. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday announced that October 27 will be a government holiday on the occassion of Chhath festival, said a statement from the CMO. The chief minister explained ...Read More >
Baramulla, Jul 5: Hundreds of mourners from Delina and its neighbouring villages Saturday participated in the Muharram procession, the 9th day of the month of Muharram-Ul-Haram at Delina area of north Kashmir's Baramulla district. The procession was one of the series of processions being held in the month of Muharram, the first month of Islamic calendar. Dressed in black and carrying flags bearing religious inscriptions, participants from the villages of Hygam, Bulgam, Bohripora, Syedpora, Uri, Boniyar and other villages marched from new Imambargah through the National Highway NH-1 to the ma ...Read More >
Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], July 8 (ANI): Thousands of pilgrims participating in the ongoing Amarnath Yatra 2025 are receiving free langar services at the Jammu base camp and other locations, including the National Highway. Virender Kumar Sharma, who has been organizing the langar facility for the past 17 years, said, 'We have been running this langar for almost 17 years, and it's a completely free service. People come from far-off places, and whoever comes here, they have devotion towards it and also make donations. There are many langars in the city, but we run this langar for free a ...Read More >
Poonch (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], July 19 (ANI): The Army has new CCTV camera to monitor any anti-national activity in the wake of the Baba Budha Amarnath Yatra that will get underway in Poonch sector from July 28. The CCTV cameras have been set up along a 15-kilometre stretch leading to the shrine in Mandi, Poonch. These devotees for the yatra will come from different parts of India under the banner of Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad. A residents named Rashid expressed gratitude to the Indian Army and mentioned that these cameras were necessary, I would like to thank the Indian Army ...Read More >
Agartala, July 19 (SocialNews.XYZ) Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said on Saturday that the state's traditional 'Ker Puja' is a symbol of faith and unity, and it reflects the rich cultural heritage of the state. "On this occasion of the Ker Puja, I had the opportunity to take blessings near Ujjayanta Palace in Agartala," the Chief Minister told the media after observing the century-old puja from outside the notified areas of the puja ground. As per the customs of the 'Ker Puja', no outsiders are allowed to enter the notified areas of Ker Puja, held in Agartala, different parts of Tripura, ...Read More >
Kerala Lottery Result SAMRUDHI SM 12 Results Live: The first winner of today's lottery game- SAMRUDHI SM 12 lottery- takes home Rs 1 crore as a cash prize. The Kerala lottery is one of the most trusted games in the country. Kerala Lottery Result Sunday 20-07-2025: The Kerala lottery is back with another fun game- that may lead you to win Rs 1 crore! The results for today's Kerala lottery games- SAMRUDHI SM 12 Sunday- are announced. The Kerala lottery results are announced here, so people with tickets for today's game can stay in touch with this live blog. Samrudhi Lottery Series: MN, MO, MP, ...Read More >
Pune (Maharashtra) [India], October 21 (ANI): A case has been registered against three unidentified women after a video showing them offering namaz on the premises of Pune's historic Shaniwar wada went viral on social media, sparking protests by BJP MP Medha Kulkarni and members of other organisations. According to the Pune City Police, the FIR has been filed under provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Rules, 1959, for allegedly violating restrictions applicable to protected monuments. Also Read | Muhurat Trading 2025: NSE, BSE to Hold Diwali Muhura ...Read More >
Chennai, July 9 (SocialNews.XYZ) Senior BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan has strongly rebutted allegations made by Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president and Sriperumbudur MLA K Selvaperunthagai, who claimed he was denied entry to the inner sanctum during the 'kumbabishekam' (consecration ceremony) at the historic Vallakottai Murugan Temple on caste-based grounds. In a sharply worded statement issued on Wednesday, Soundararajan termed the controversy a "political drama staged in the name of religion" and asserted that her presence at the ceremony was purely in her capacity as a devo ...Read More >
Lucknow: Umar Ansari, the younger son of gangster-turned-politician late Mukhtar Ansari, was arrested by Ghazipur police from Darul Shafa area of Lucknow late Sunday night.The arrest was made following the registration of a criminal case against him for forgery in Ghazipur. He was taken into custody and transported to Ghazipur for further proceedings.Umar Ansari was booked for allegedly attempting to fraudulently reclaim a property that had been confiscated under the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act. The property was earlier seized under Section 14(1) of the ...Read More >
Kolkata: Several Kali Pujas across the city witnessed community bonding as people, irrespective of religious faiths, came together to celebrate the festival of lights. From planning pandal decorations and raising funds to overseeing the rituals and crowd management, members of different communities played equal roles in the celebrations.A Kali Puja on Mayfair Road spread the message of communal harmony through their celebration, in which locals from different communities participated. Sudhir Kuma ...Read More >