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!
Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 18 (SocialNews.XYZ) Travel, it seems, is as much about discovering oneself as it is about exploring the world -- a sentiment that resonated at the opening session of 'Yaanam 2025', India's first travel literature festival, organised by the Kerala Tourism Department. Booker Prize-winning Sri Lankan author Shehan Karunatilaka, in conversation with Malayalam writer K.R. Meera and journalist Pallavi Aiyar, reflected on how travel writing stretches beyond destinations to reveal the author's inner landscape. "Travel writing can be political, deeply personal, or even whimsical. More often than not, it shows who the writer is, rather than where they are," Karunatilaka said, sharing anecdotes from his own journey. Moderated by festival curator Sabin Iqbal, the session set the tone for a festival that promises to traverse continents, cultures, and consciousness. Karunatilaka spoke of his fascination with writers like A.A. Gill, whose sharp critiques of places he visits reveal both wit and audacity. On his own work, he observed that stepping away from Sri Lanka allowed him a clearer vision, saying: "I became obsessed with my country only when I was outside it, more than when I was living there." K.R. Meera, recounting her travels in Kazakhstan, noted the striking parallels between distant cultures. "Some shamanic practices there mirrored rituals in Kerala. It made me think about humanity's shared origins," she said. For Meera, travel is inseparable from creativity; her acclaimed novel 'Aarachar' emerged from journeys through Calcutta, and all her stories, she said, begin on the road. Pallavi Aiyar echoed the universality of human experiences. "From Japan to Europe, people share similar daily concerns like traffic, food, routines," she said. Travel, she added, is a process of self-revelation, saying: "Venturing abroad taught me what it means to be Indian." Yet, she drew distinctions in travel experiences, noting that fleeing conflict as a refugee is profoundly different from backpacking through Europe. The three-day festival, which began on Friday evening in Varkala, will host around 50 speakers from India and abroad, blending personal stories with reflections on identity, culture, and the art of observation. As the participants journeyed through distant lands and inner landscapes alike, Yaanam emerged not just as a festival of places, but of people, their histories, stories, and the threads that connect us all.
Berlin/New Delhi: Germany has introduced a visa that allows people from outside the European Union (EU), including Indians, to live and work in the country as freelancers for up to one year. Known as the Freelance Visa or Freiberufler visa, it is designed for self-employed professionals such as writers, designers, consultants and artists. The visa can later be extended for up to three years if the individual continues to meet the necessary requirements. It offers a chance to explore Germany's culture and economy while working independently. The Freelance Visa is part of Germany's larger visio ...Read More >
Ranchi (Jharkhand) [India], August 4 (ANI): The Jharkhand government declared a three-day state mourning, starting Monday, following the passing of the state's former Chief Minister and co-founder of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Shibu Soren. "In honour of the late Honourable former Chief Minister-cum-Rajya Sabha MP, the State Government has decided to observe 03 (three) days of state mourning from August 4 to August 6," the message from the Jharkhand government read. Also Read | Kerala Shocker: 47-Year-Old Man Dies by Suicide After Failing to Arrange Funds for Son's Engineering College Admission. ...Read More >
Strikes gain global traction as unions push for fair treatment, sustainable practices, and tax accountability Amazon workers in India and around the world have launched strikes and protests during the busiest shopping weekend of the year -- Black Friday to Cyber Monday. The movement, called "Make Amazon Pay," is backed by UNI Global Union and Progressive International, with the goal of holding Amazon accountable for alleged labor abuses, environmental harm, and disregard for democratic principles. From November 29 to December 2, workers across six continents and in more than 20 countries are ...Read More >
Hyderabad, July 18 (UNI) In view of the ongoing heavy rains in Hyderabad, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has directed all concerned departments to stay on high alert and ensure swift response to public grievances. The Chief Minister instructed officials from GHMC, HMDA, Water Works, Electricity, and Police departments to work in close coordination to prevent any rain-related disruptions. He also emphasised the need for immediate action in areas facing waterlogging, power outages, or other rain-induced issues. CM Revanth Reddy further directed the deployment of SDRF, NDRF, Hydra teams, and ot ...Read More >
New Delhi, Aug 28 (PTI) India's gains from importing discounted Russian oil are estimated to be just USD 2.5 billion per annum, significantly lower than the previously speculated range of USD 10-25 billion, a research report said on Thursday. Stopping Russian oil imports would force India, the world's third-largest oil importer and consumer, to rely on limited alternatives, potentially driving global crude prices up to USD 100 per barrel amid rising demand and tight supply. "Benefit from Russian oil imports is way less than exaggerated media numbers," brokerage CLSA said in a report. While ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram Oct 3 (PTI) Politcal leaders in Kerala, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condoled the demise of renowned journalist and author Thayil Jacob Sony George, popularly known as T J S George, who died at a private hospital in Bengaluru on Friday. He was 97. A Padma Bhushan awardee, George was widely respected for his incisive writing, often marked by satire and sarcasm. He served as the Editorial Advisor of The New Indian Express and earned acclaim for his widely read weekly column, Point of View, which he wrote for 25 years until 2022, continuing until the age of 94. ...Read More >
Shimla: Heavy rains lashed Himachal Pradesh on Sunday, triggering landslides and flash floods and blocking more than 100 roads, even as the weather department issued a red alert.A landslide at Chakki Mod near Parwanoo blocked the Chandigarh-Shimla highway for hours, resulting in a massive traffic jam Sunday morning. The local administration had to divert traffic through the Jangeshu link road until the landslide debris was cleared at Chakki Mod.The traffic was first restored one-way and later two-way, but the traffic jam continued on both sides of the highway throughout the day due to slow veh ...Read More >
New Delhi: What began with a routine vehicle interception near Bengali Market in central Delhi unravelled into a massive crackdown on a transnational drug trafficking syndicate. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has dismantled the network, which used encrypted digital platforms, drop-shipping models and cryptocurrency to smuggle controlled medicines across four continents.The operation exposed a sophisticated criminal web operating across India, the US, Australia and Europe, showcasing both the global reach of illicit pharma networks and NCB's capability to lead coordinated international enfo ...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 >
Mumbai, Oct 1 (SocialNews.XYZ) Punjabi superstar Diljit Dosanjh who is expanding his prowess across the globe, is now consolidating his stardom down south. His new track 'Rebel' from the upcoming Kannada movie 'Kantara: Chapter 1' was unveiled on Wednesday. The song crooned by Diljit Dosanjh is impactful and intriguing in every element. Bringing the massive and thrilling world of Kantara to the audience, the song also features Diljit. While his vocals create magic, his presence in the song perfectly amps up the entire vibe. The track further elevates the excitement for the film's release. Ta ...Read More >
Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh deputy CM Chowna Mein on Saturday urged people to welcome and create a conducive environment for the development of hydropower projects in the state.Speaking at the inaugural session of a seminar, titled 'Traditional System of Tagin: Change and Continuity,' organised by the Tagin Cultural Society (TCS), in collaboration with the Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture (VKIC) at Daporijo in Upper Subansiri district, Mein said the hydro projects would usher in socio-econ ...Read More >
New Delhi: Alleging "blatant misuse" of agencies to defame its leaders, AAP on Thursday questioned why the first information report filed against former Delhi ministers Saurabh Bharadwaj and Satyendar Jain was being kept under wraps and "selective" press notes were being leaked to the media.Bharadwaj, who is Delhi AAP convener, alleged that only two former ministers were named in the case without any reasonable cause while all the officers of the health and public works departments, who were actually responsible for executing the hospital projects, were spared. "Is the FIR so baseless that BJP ...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 >
Thane, Apr 5 (PTI) A family from Maharashtra's Thane district was allegedly swindled of more than Rs 1.66 crore by a man who exploited their fear of "black magic" and promised them divine remedies through elaborate rituals and pilgrimages, police said on Sunday. The Kasarvadavali police district on April 2 registered a first information report (FIR) against Manjunath Shetty, a resident of Andheri in neighbouring Mumbai, based on the family's allegations that they were manipulated into paying the accused over a period of two years to "neutralise black magic" performed by a relative, an officia ...Read More >
New Delhi: Was it the pitch? Was it the conditions? Was it the bowling? The questions doing the rounds after yet another strange show in good batting conditions by India were many. But with the exception of Shubman Gill, who became just the second Indian captain, after Mohammad Azharuddin, to score hundreds in consecutive matches in England, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, few India batters managed to answer them in a satisfactory manner. After being put into bat by England, India looked like they were in control at various points during the day but then somehow contrived to gift away wickets and end t ...Read More >
A display of over 50,000 tulips in full bloom took centre stage at the residence of the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Marisa Gerards, on APJ Abdul Kalam Road on Sunday, as Gerards and her husband, Peter Knoope, discussed the connection between tulips and India. Varieties of tulip form a central part of the charm of the Keukenhof botanical garden in the Netherlands, and these have now been put on display in the Capital. "This festival is a celebration of the vibrant partnership b ...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 >
New Delhi [India], July 3 (ANI):Union Home Minister Amit Shah has congratulated the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and all agencies on busting a global drug cartel. Shah said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Government is determined to saw off every drug cartel and protect our youth, no matter where they operate from, an official statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs said. In a post on X, Shah said, 'Congratulations to NCB and all agencies on busting a global drug cartel. The probe set a stellar example of multi-agency coordination, resulting in 8 arrests and seizures of 5 consignm ...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, Jul 18 (PTI) Senior officials of the Jammu and Kashmir government reviewed the arrangements for the smooth conduct of the 13-day-long Budha Amarnath pilgrimage in Poonch district that will begin on July 28. Deputy Inspector General of Police Tejinder Singh reviewed security in Poonch and stressed ensuring the safety of the devotees. "The first batch will depart from the Bhagwati Nagar basecamp in Jammu on July 28, moving towards the Mandi tehsil in Poonch in a regulated convoy amid full security arrangements," a spokesperson said. Jammu Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar and Inspec ...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 >
New Delhi [India], February 23 (ANI): Chinese Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, on Monday shared snapshots of the Tulip Festival along Shantipath in the national capital. Xu said that the festival heralds the arrival of Spring in Delhi. In a post on X, he said, "The tulips along Shantipath are in full bloom! Vibrant colors herald the arrival of spring in Delhi. It's no wonder people are flocking to see this stunning floral spectacle." Meanwhile, the garden of the Netherlands residence once again blossomed with seasonal splendour as 50,000 tulips burst into bloom this February, bringing the i ...Read More >
India is set to host the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup at New Delhi’s IGI Stadium from January 13-19, 2025, marking a historic milestone for the indigenous sport. Organized by the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) in collaboration with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the tournament has garnered strong backing from IOA President PT Usha, who pledged comprehensive support to enhance its global appeal. Featuring 24 teams from six continents, including powerhouses like India, England, Brazil, and Australia, the event celebrates Kho Kho’s rich cultural heritage. This groundbreaking tournament ...Read More >
DP World has announced an extension of its Carbon Inset Programme after successfully registering more than 150,000 import containers since its inception in January. The programme, which commenced on 1 January 2025, is claimed to be the first initiative of its kind globally, providing cargo owners with 50kg CO2e of carbon credits for each loaded import container processed through DP World's UK terminals. This initiative aims to assist companies in addressing Scope 3 emissions within their supply ...Read More >
Pune: Passengers on board a Goa to Pune SpiceJet flight (SG-1080) had a scare on Tuesday evening when a window panel was found dislodged while the plane was mid-air.The airline played down the incident, saying the window part that had come off was "a non-structural trim component, fitted onto the window for the purpose of shade".But a person on board the plane -- a Bombardier Q400 -- told TOI the incident triggered anxiety among the passengers. "Two to three layers of the window panel just came off," said Aatish Mishra, the passenger."There was no depressurization, but this shouldn't have happ ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 4 (ANI): In one of the largest crackdowns on the illegal pharmaceutical trade, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has dismantled an international drug trafficking syndicate operating across four continents, using encrypted digital platforms, cryptocurrency, and anonymous shipping networks, an official statement said. The breakthrough began with the interception of a vehicle near Bengali Market in Delhi on May 25, 2025, ultimately uncovering a vast transnational operation with links to India, the US, Australia, and Europe. The investigation was launched after the NCB H ...Read More >
Daporijo (Arunachal Pradesh) [India], October 26 (ANI): Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein has inaugurated the TCS Secretariat Building-cum-Tagin Heritage Centre. He was attending the first-ever Tagin Seminar on 'Traditional System of Tagin: Change and Continuity', organised by the Tagin Cultural Society (TCS) in collaboration with the Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture (VKIC) at Daporijo on Saturday. In his address, the Deputy Chief Minister lauded the Tagin Cultural Society for its visionary efforts to preserve and promote the Tagin community's rich cultural heritage. ...Read More >