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: The unveiling of Tilly Norwood, an AI-generated "actress" touted as the next Scarlett Johansson, has ignited a storm in Hollywood. Created by Eline Van der Velden and her studio Particle6, Tilly's arrival has been met with both fascination and fury, sparking fierce debate about the future of cinema. A studio behind AI actress Tilly Norwood is in talks with Hollywood executives and agents for her representation, Variety reported. If signed, Norwood would be among the first AI performers to secure professional representation. "When we first launched Tilly, people were like, 'What's that?' Now we're going to be announcing which agency is going to be representing her in the next few months," said Van der Velde, founder of Xicoia, at the Zurich Summit. About The Backlash The backlash began almost instantly, with the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) issuing a strongly worded statement: "To be clear, 'Tilly Norwood' is not an actor, it's a character generated by a computer program that was trained on the work of countless professional performers - without permission or compensation. It has no life experience to draw from, no emotion and, from what we've seen, audiences aren't interested in watching computer-generated content untethered from the human experience. It doesn't solve any 'problem' - it creates the problem of using stolen performances to put actors out of work, jeopardizing performer livelihoods and devaluing human artistry." The guild further warned that "signatory producers should be aware that they may not use synthetic performers without complying with our contractual obligations, which require notice and bargaining whenever a synthetic performer is going to be used." Despite the industry's condemnation, Van der Velden defended her creation: "I see AI not as a replacement for people, but as a new tool, a new paintbrush. Just as animation, puppetry, or CGI opened fresh possibilities without taking away from live acting, AI offers another way to imagine and build stories. I'm an actor myself, and nothing - certainly not an AI character - can take away the craft or joy of human performance." But not everyone was convinced. Hollywood stars including Melissa Barrera, Kiersey Clemons, Mara Wilson, and Whoopi Goldberg spoke out against the AI experiment. On The View, Goldberg declared: "You can always tell them from us. We move differently, our faces move differently, our bodies move differently." Emily Blunt, shown a picture of Tilly during a Variety podcast, reacted with shock: "Does it disappoint me? I don't know how to quite answer it, other than to say how terrifying this is. No, are you serious? That's an AI? Good Lord, we're screwed. That is really, really scary. Come on, agencies, don't do that. Please stop. Please stop taking away our human connection." Meanwhile, readers of the Guardian, which also reported the development, weighed in with their own concerns, cynicism, and reluctant acceptance of the future. One reader wrote bluntly: "You have to think about filmed entertainment in economic terms, not artistic. Because AI isn't about great art, but reducing costs by removing human talent and speeding up processes. ... If AI helps these tech companies masquerading as studios to churn out more, faster, and cheaper, of course they will do it." Others pointed to AI's current limitations: "Comedy. That'll be the step change, if it ever comes. Right now, AI can't make us laugh. It doesn't understand humour, timing, what makes something funny, or not. ... We watched because we thought we would be amazed, but it was dull beyond words." Another reader argued that AI "isn't there yet," noting: "What we haven't seen is a convincing scene of drama between two or more AI generated characters. Dialogue is always cross-cut. AI doesn't seem to be able to generate multiple unique characters at once who interact and impact each other." Some worried about long-term consequences. "Hollywood execs might bank on a few Tilly Noorwoods to cut costs and increase their profits. But AI will come back to bite them when AI-proficient movie fans prefer to use gen-AI to create their own productions." Others accepted the inevitability: "The genie is not going back in the bottle. ... If AI content proves to be useful and cost-effective then it cannot be stopped." Yet many readers emphasised the human factor audiences still crave. "I doubt I could root for a character that is completely AI. We like actors and movie stars too much, we invest in them, we are attracted to them on some level."
Hyderabad: With Jurassic World: Rebirth roaring to a phenomenal $318.3 million opening worldwide, Scarlett Johansson has officially etched her name in Hollywood history. The 40-year-old actress, long known for blending critical acclaim with commercial clout, has now overtaken Samuel L. Jackson to become the highest-grossing actor of all time at the global box office. According to The Numbers, Johansson's career box office tally as a lead actor has soared to approximately $14.8 billion, edging past Jackson's $14.6 billion. What's even more remarkable is that Johansson achieved this record with ...Read More >
New Delhi: Actor Dhanush, known for essaying the iconic character of 'Kundan' in Aanand L Rai's 'Raanjhanaa', has finally broken his silence on the controversy surrounding the film's AI version. The 2013 romantic drama has been in headlines lately over the makers' decision to alter the film's ending with the use of artificial intelligence, sparking a heated debate among many. Dhanush, who played the lead role, took to X on Sunday evening and shared his discontent with the same. The actor stated that the re-release of 'Raanjhanna' with an AI-altered climax left him "completely disturbed." "T ...Read More >
The Indian government is reinforcing creative freedom by maintaining strict regulations on OTT platforms through the IT Rules, 2021. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized safeguards against harmful content while promoting the AVGC-XR sector. The Indian Institute of Creative Technologies aims to bolster industry skills with global partnerships. The Central Government on Wednesday renewed its pledge to protect creative freedom, highlighting regulations for Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms enforce ...Read More >
PATNA: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is all set to embark on 'Vote Adhikar Yatra' from Bihar's Rohtas district on August 17 to register a protest against how the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls was being conducted in the state. This comes at a time when the Opposition is ratcheting up its protest against the SIR and casting aspersions on the integrity of elections. AICC general secretary (organisation) and MP KC Venugopal held a meeting with the INDIA bloc leaders at Sasaram in Rohtas district on Wednesday and reviewed preparations for Rahul Gandhi's visit to Bi ...Read More >
SHANGHAI, Dec. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MultiMetaVerse Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: MMV) (MMV or the Company), a leading animation and entertainment company for young consumers in China, today announced that it has signed a definitive share exchange agreement (the Share Exchange Agreement) with the shareholders (the Transferors) of Bowong AI Limited (Bowong Cayman), which, after a series of restructuring transactions, is expected to indirectly hold 100% equity interests in Bowong Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (Bowong Technology). Bowong Technology is a company equipped with cutting-edge tec ...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 >
Hyderabad: Former Indian cricket team captain Kapil Dev met Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy at his official residence in Delhi on Monday and offered support to the government in setting up Sports University in Telangana. Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn also met Revanth Reddy and expressed his interest to set up a world-class film studio in the state. Kapil Dev lauded the state government's initiatives for the development of sports under the leadership of the Chief Minister. A press issued by Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said Revanth Reddy briefed Kapil Dev about the government's plans to establi ...Read More >
New Delhi - Samsung has unveiled the Galaxy Buds Core in India, its first-ever True Wireless Stereo (TWS) earbuds priced under Rs 5,000. With features like Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Galaxy AI-powered real-time Interpreter, the Buds Core aims to deliver a flagship-grade audio experience at an affordable price. Designed for everyday use, the Galaxy Buds Core includes dynamic drivers for deep bass and rich sound, triple-mic setup for clear calls, and a secure, comfortable fit for on-the-go listening. Whether it's music, podcasts, or phone calls, Samsung promises crystal-clear performan ...Read More >
Patna: The state govt on Monday launched the 'Bihar Idea Festival', a dedicated portal aimed at encouraging grassroots innovation and entrepreneurship across the state. State industries minister Nitish Mishra inaugurated the portal at an event held at Soochna Bhawan, describing it as a "milestone" initiative that will allow students, youth, entrepreneurs and startup teams, even from rural areas, to submit their ideas directly to the govt."The aim is to collect innovative ideas and solutions from ...Read More >
Chennai, Jul 15 (PTI) The ManipalCigna Health Insurance Company Ltd has planned to expand its footprint in Tamil Nadu with 10 more branches and add over 10,000 advisors across South India. ManipalCigna Health Insurance Company Ltd is a joint venture between Manipal Group, an eminent player in healthcare delivery and higher education and global health services company Cigna Healthcare. Also Read | Aadhaar Free Update: Government Requests Parents to Update Children's Aadhaar Biometrics Between Age 5-7, Free of Cost. Citing a data from the General Insurance Council (GIC), ManipalCigna said it ...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 >
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 >
Ajmer (Rajasthan) [India], July 20 (ANI): Following incessant heavy rainfall for two consecutive days, the Anasagar Chaupati area in Ajmer was waterlogged on Sunday morning. As the lake overflowed, the residential areas bore the brunt. Traffic movement on the route has been halted; only large vehicles are permitted to move here, while small vehicles and two-wheelers are not being allowed. Earlier, the Ana Sagar lake in Rajasthan Ajmer overflowed on Saturday morning, following incessant rain, which caused waterlogging. Due to this, the road connecting Bajrang Garh to the market has been clos ...Read More >
Mumbai, Aug 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) After director Aanand L Rai, Dhanush has also voiced his disappointment over the AI-created climax in the re-release version of his 2013 drama "Raanjhanaa". He claimed that the new ending altered by the AI has effectively removed the very soul of the film. Dhanush added that "Raanjhanaa" was altered despite his objections. Revealing that this is not the movie he committed to 12 years ago, he shared a statement on his X saying, "The re-release of Raanjhanaa with an AI-altered climax has completely disturbed me. This alternate ending has stripped the film of its ...Read More >
Hyderabad: It wasn't just die-hard fans who made a beeline for theatres on the opening day of the highly anticipated movie Coolie. Several prominent Tamil film celebrities, including actors Dhanush, Sivakarthikeyan, and Priyanka Mohan, joined the crowd to watch filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj's much-anticipated Rajinikanth-starrer on its first day, first show. In Chennai, Rohini Silver Screens, also known as "Fans Fort Rohini" for its history of hosting electrifying star-studded screenings, was at full capacity. Among the early viewers spotted at the venue were Dhanush, his son Yatra, Priyanka Moh ...Read More >
Patna, Aug 1 (PTI) Healthcare services were affected at AIIMS-Patna on Friday as resident doctors went on an "indefinite strike" in protest against the alleged high-handedness of Sheohar MLA Chetan Anand. According to a press statement issued by the Resident Doctors' Association (RDA), AIIMS-Patna, on Friday, "The RDA expresses deep disappointment and anguish over the lack of action by the administration following the violent and traumatic incident that occurred on Wednesday, when MLA Chetan Anand, his wife and their armed guards breached hospital security, physically assaulted staff, and thr ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], August 4 (ANI): Actor Dhanush, known for essaying the iconic character of Kundan in Aanand L Rai Raanjhanaa, has finally broken his silence on the controversy surrounding the film AI version. The 2013 romantic drama has been in headlines lately over the makers decision to alter the film ending with the use of artificial intelligence, sparking a heated debate among many. Dhanush, who played the lead role, took to X on Sunday evening and shared his discontent with the same. The actor stated that the re-release of Raanjhanna with an AI-altered climax left him completely dist ...Read More >
New Delhi: Protest at the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) against a recently announced fee hike, the long-standing suspension of students' union elections and calls for administrative accountability have entered their sixth day, with students boycotting classes and staging sit-ins at the Bab-e-Syed gate (the iconic entrance of the varsity). The fee structure for different courses has witnessed a sharp revision. Students say the hike ranges from 25% to over 60% across various programmes. Many claim they first learned of the revised fees only while trying to pay through the university's online ...Read More >
New Delhi: The country's largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki has announced the rollout of its first made-in-India electric vehicle - the e-Vitara SUV - in a major boost to the green segment from its upgraded Gujarat plant, which is now set to become one of the world's largest automotive manufacturing hubs with a projected annual capacity of one million units. Crucially, this facility will serve as Suzuki's global production base for electric vehicles (EVs), exporting to over 100 countries, including advanced markets in Japan and Europe, which is aligned with India's vision of becoming a global aut ...Read More >
New Delhi: A recent podcast appearance by Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos has ignited a heated debate in the entertainment industry. Sarandos' comments on Netflix India's content strategy, particularly regarding Sacred Games, have drawn the ire of the show's co-creator, Anurag Kashyap. He wasted no time in publicly slamming Ted Sarandos on social media, accusing him of being "dumb" for his perspective. During his appearance on Nikhil Kamath's WTF podcast, Ted Sarandos shared his thoughts on launching Indian original content on Netflix. He expressed doubts about the strategy of starting with Sacred ...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 >
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 >
NEW DELHI: Amid worsening weather conditions and continuous rainfall in parts of Uttar Pradesh, all government and private schools from Classes 1 to 12 in Lucknow will remain closed on Monday, according to district magistrate Visakh G Iyer.Several parts of Varanasi were inundated on Monday following relentless downpours and a steady rise in the water level of the River Ganga. The river has been rising continuously since Saturday, triggering concerns of urban flooding.In response, authorities have suspended all boat operations on the Ganga as a precautionary measure. Several residents were seen ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi has said that India is the company's third-largest mobility market with over 1.4 million drivers and is a "must-win" for the company. In a podcast with the co-founder of Zerodha, Nikhil Kamath, the Uber CEO said that the growth in the Indian market is 'spectacular', adding, "India is an absolute must-win for Uber, not just tomorrow, but 10 years from now." Khosrowshahi said that Ola used to be Uber's main competition, but Rapido is currently the more formidable rival in India. "The real test of the business isn't how fast you can grow if you're spending ...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 >
Along with Neil Nitin Mukesh and Divya Khossla in the key roles, the film features Chhaya Kadam, Sushant Singh, Rajniesh Duggal, Zakir Hussain and Yashpal Sharma. Divya Khossla is preparing to rule hearts with her comedy thriller Ek Chatur Naar. The film's trailer and title track have already piqued fans' interest, and now the leading lady is adding to the frenzy with her stunning promotional videos. In the latest, the team organised a special screening for the film and Divya was seen getting em ...Read More >
Mumbai, July 2: Garena Free Fire MAX is a battle royale game that offers unique survival battle experience to the mobile gamers. The players who are familiar with the games like CODM, PUBG and BGMI, will find this game engaging. The players have to land on a large battle map after jumping from an aeroplane and start gathering guns and ammo to shoot other players. They need to survive a match staying in shrinking 'safe zone'. Garena Free Fire MAX codes lets players claim rewards that help them defeat others. Check out the Garena Free Fire MAX redeem codes for today, July 2, 2025. Garena FF MAX ...Read More >
New Delhi: After the success of Sitaare Zameen Par, Aamir Khan has opened up about his upcoming collaboration with director Rajkumar Hirani for a biopic on the legendary filmmaker Dadasaheb Phalke. Following the historic success of 3 Idiots and PK, this marks the third collaboration between Aamir and Hirani. Both previous films were widely praised for their clever humor, emotional storytelling, and strong narratives hallmarks of the Aamir-Hirani combo. In a recent interview, when asked whether humor would also be a part of the Phalke biopic, Aamir said: "I think Raju and Abhijat [Joshi, wri ...Read More >
Kolkata: Luxmi Group, owner of the iconic Makaibari Tea Estate, has acquired a majority stake in UK-based Brew Tea Co. Brew Tea deals exclusively with orthodox tea and has both an online and offline presence in the UK.Luxmi Group acquired an 80% stake in the company, while the remaining 20% remains with the existing promoters. After Tetley and Typhoo, this acquisition marks another British tea company being acquired by an Indian corporate, though it may not be of the same magnitude.Brew Tea Co was founded in Manchester by Phil and Aideen Kirby and has grown into a specialty tea brand, having a ...Read More >
Hyderabad: PVR INOX, India's largest and most premium cinema exhibitor, has announced the re-release of the iconic biographical sports drama Bhaag Milkha Bhaag in theatres nationwide on July 18, 2025. Over a decade since its original release in 2013, the film remains one of Indian cinema's most powerful and inspirational stories, chronicling the life of sprinter Milkha Singh. Directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and produced by Viacom18 Studios in association with ROMP Pictures, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag is based on the life and journey of Milkha Singh, fondly known as the "Flying Sikh." The film tra ...Read More >