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!
MADURAI: The state government told the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Monday that the ancient stone pillar or 'deepathoon' located atop the Thiruparankundram hill belongs to Jains and not Hindus. The state also told a bench of Justices G Jayachandran and KK Ramakrishnan that the relief sought in the petitioner's plea is in the nature of a Public Interest Litigation but was styled as a private petition in an attempt to do 'forum shopping'. The averments were made by senior counsel N Jothi, representing the joint commissioner of HR&CE, while arguing before the judges in a batch of appeals filed against Justice GR Swaminathan's order dated December 1, which directed the lighting of Karthigai Deepam on the pillar. It could be noted that in the previous hearing on December 12, Advocate General PS Raman, representing the collector, had argued that the petitioners had not submitted any proof before the single judge to show that the pillar was indeed a 'deepathoon'. During the hearing on Monday, Jothi claimed that stone pillars similar in structure to the Thiruparankundram 'deepathoon' have been found erected by Jain sages in several hills, including 'Samanar hills' in Madurai and Shravanabelagola in Karnataka. The sages, belonging to Digambara sect of Jainism, had used these pillars to light lamps when they congregated on these hills for discussions at night times, the counsel said and submitted several books containing references on the matter.
Jalna, December 17: Activist Manoj Jarange on Tuesday announced that he would launch an indefinite fast on January 25, 2025, to press for the Maratha community's demands, including reservation in jobs and education under the OBC category. Addressing the media at Antarwali Sarthi village in Jalna, Jarange urged members of the Maratha community to gather in large numbers at the protest site. "No one should stay at home. Come to Antarwali Sarthi, and let us show our collective strength," he said. The 42-year-old activist has been demanding the implementation of a draft notification that recognis ...Read More >
Lucknow, Jan 8 (UNI) Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday said that the belief system of Sanatan Dharma represents the world's oldest culture, standing above comparison with any religion or sect. The CM said, "I inherit a legacy that spans thousands of years, with its cultural and spiritual events equally ancient. The tradition of Sanatan is higher than the sky and beyond comparison." Speaking at the 'Mahakumbh Mahasammelan, he emphasised the profound significance of the Maha Kumbh. He explained that after the Devasura Sangram (the battle between gods and demons), drops of nectar fell ...Read More >
Chennai/Sivaganga, Jul 1 (PTI) The opposition in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday mounted pressure on the ruling DMK over the custodial death of a temple security guard in the state's Sivaganga district, demanding a CBI probe into the matter, even as the state government initiated action against policemen, including putting the district police chief on "compulsory wait". Also, a DSP was placed under suspension. The matter also came up before the Madras High Court bench in Madurai, which appointed an Enquiry Officer to look into the issue and submit a report on July 8, while allowing a CB-CID probe into ...Read More >
Lucknow, Jul 5: The Uttar Pradesh government has unveiled a comprehensive plan to restore and develop key religious and cultural sites across the state, with a particular focus on eastern regions. Spearheaded by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the initiative aims to rejuvenate ancient temples and ashrams, including those associated with sages Bhrigu and Durvasa, as well as major Jain temple. The plan includes beautification and infrastructure upgrades at the Chitragupt Temple in Ballia, Hanuman Temple in Holpur, Udasin Math in Basantpur, and Bhairav Baba and Ram Janaki temples in Azamgarh. O ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 12 (VOICE) The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered that no fresh suits would be registered under the Places of Worship Act in the country, and in the pending cases, no final or effective orders would be passed till further orders of the Apex Court. A Special Bench headed by CJI Sajiv Khanna asked the Union government to file within four weeks its reply to the clutch of petitions challenging the validity of the 1991 Act, which prohibits the filing of a lawsuit to reclaim a place of worship or seek a change in its character from what prevailed on August 15, 1947. The Bench, also c ...Read More >
Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) [India], January 8 (ANI): As the commencement date for the 2025 Maha Kumbh nears, popular seers and saints are joining the crowd in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj. Amid celebrations, Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati Maharaj on Wednesday demanded that cow be given the status of 'Rashtra Mata'. He said that one of the biggest problems was cow slaughter and it must be stopped. The seer said that they would organise a 'maha yagya' to press their demands. "All Sanatani Hindus are uniting here for Kumbh. Even though we have a number of problems, the ...Read More >
Ludhiana, Jun 8 (PTI) Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring on Sunday asserted that his party will win the Ludhiana West assembly bypoll, scheduled to be held on june 19, with a "record margin". "Congress practically has no competition here", he claimed. Warring, who is also the Ludhiana MP, said that the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was badly mistaken that the Congress would allow it to abuse power and misuse the official machinery for the elections. "First of all, we will not let any misuse of the official machinery and second, in case any official is found to be misusing ...Read More >
Hyderabad: As part of a 170-year-old tradition, tens of thousands of devotees assembled at the Nampally Exhibition Grounds on Sunday to receive the famous fish prasadam on the occasion of Mrigasira Karte. This annual ritual is said to offer relief from respiratory ailments like asthma and bronchitis.The event, which began at 11 am, was inaugurated by transport minister Ponnam Prabhakar. "For 170 years, the Bathini family has been providing fish prasadam to lakhs. What began in Doodh Bowli has now evolved into a massive event," he said.The state's fisheries department reported over 50,000 token ...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 >
VISAKHAPATNAM: Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar inaugurated Andhra Pradesh's first Super ECBC (Energy Conservation Building Code) compliant building at Sagar Nagar in Visakhapatnam on Friday. Terming it a landmark in sustainable infrastructure, he emphasised the government's commitment to energy efficiency and green design in public facilities. The facility will serve as a national-level training hub for power sector staff. He urged power utilities to expedite 20 lakh rooftop solar connections, targeting 10,000 in each Assembly segment. He reaffirmed nine-hour uninterrupted power for agri ...Read More >
Amritsar: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey from Jharkhand has claimed that Britain assisted India in executing the 1984 Operation Bluestar at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, stoking a new controversy.In a post on X on Monday, Dubey alleged that then PM Indira Gandhi "launched an attack on the Golden Temple in collaboration with Britain", with British Army officers present in Amritsar.He uploaded a classified British document, "Sikh Community", claiming that on Feb 23, 1984, the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office mentioned in a letter that the Indian govt had sought British advice over a plan to remove Si ...Read More >
Madurai (Tamil Nadu) [India], July 8 (ANI): The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed the Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to appoint an investigating officer within a week to probe the custodial death of B Ajith Kumar, a temple security guard in Sivaganga. The court has ordered the investigating officer to complete the investigation and submit a final report to the jurisdictional court by August 20. Maurice Kumar said, We have already filed a writ repetition before the Madurai High Court on behalf of the AIADMK party. On the last date, the HC directed to f ...Read More >
Karachi-born Shane Sabastian Pereira entered India to live in his ancestral village in Goa just four months after his birth, but it has taken him 43 years to obtain Indian citizenship. IMAGE: Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant hands over the Indian citizenship certificate to the Karachi-born Shane Sabastian Pereira. Photograph: @DrPramodPSawant/X Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday handed over the Indian citizenship certificate to the Pakistan-born Christian man under the Citizenship (Ame ...Read More >
The Supreme Court halted new temple-mosque legal battles. The court will review the 1991 law impacting religious site status. This law froze the status of religious sites as of August 15, 1947. Several cases, including Gyanvapi and Shahi Idgah, challenge this law. The law's validity is being questioned. The court's decision impacts ongoing and future disputes.In its ruling on the keenly-watched Place of Worship Act case, the Supreme Court said on December 12 that no new Mandir-Masjid suits are to ...Read More >
CHENNAI: Days after TNCC president and floor leader of the State Congress party K Selvaperunthagai claimed that he was denied the respect accorded to an elected representative at the Vallakottai Murugan temple in his Sriperumbudur constituency, senior officials of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department have ordered an inquiry into the incident. Commissioner of the department P N Sridhar has been instructed to conduct the inquiry, Additional Chief Secretary K Manivasan told DT Next, adding that the department would take stern action against any officials if they were ...Read More >
Panaji, Dec 10 (PTI) Karachi-born Shane Sabastian Pereira entered India to live in his ancestral village in Goa just four months after his birth, but it has taken him 43 years to obtain Indian citizenship. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday handed over the Indian citizenship certificate to the Pakistan-born Christian man under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. Shane is the second person from the coastal state to receive the certificate, after Joseph Francis Pereira, another Pakistani citizen who was granted Indian citizenship in August this year. Shane, originally from Demello Wado ...Read More >
Hyderabad, Feb 4 (UNI) BRS Working President and MLA K T Rama Rao (KTR) criticised the Congress government, stating that the people of Telangana have lost faith in its administration. Speaking during the debate on the caste survey report in the Telangana Legislative Assembly, KTR expressed disappointment, saying that many had expected historic announcements following the special Assembly session and Cabinet meeting. However, he claimed that the report lacked new insights and merely reiterated information previously shared by Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy. Referring to the Kamareddy declaration ...Read More >
New Delhi: Lawyers from the district courts decided on Saturday to roll back their decision to abstain from work in protest against the shifting of the judges of the 34 digital Negotiable Instruments Act courts to the Rouse Avenue courts.A statement released by the All District Courts Bar Association of Delhi on Saturday said that the lawyers' coordination committee met the chief justice of Delhi High Court and was assured that all digital courts would function strictly as digital platforms only. The remaining proceedings and judicial work only would be conducted in the regular local courts, t ...Read More >
Guwahati, Jul 2 (PTI) Nearly 200 people were arrested in connection with the alleged violation of the Assam Cattle Preservation Act and over 1.7 tonnes of suspected beef were seized across the state, a senior police officer said on Wednesday. According to Inspector General Police (Law and Order) Akhilesh Kumar Singh, a drive was launched across Assam on Tuesday to check reported incidents of illegal cattle slaughter and selling of beef in restaurants unauthorisedly. Also Read | Karnataka Shocker: Infosys Senior Employee Arrested for Filming Woman Colleague While She Was Using Ladies' Washroo ...Read More >
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday directed courts across the country to refrain from admitting or passing any new orders on pleas seeking surveys of mosques to determine if temples lie beneath them. This decision extends to existing suits, halting any further orders on the matter. The directive was issued as the apex court continued hearing petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991. This Act prohibits filing lawsuits to reclaim places of worship or alter their character from what existed on August 15, 1947. Judicial Revie ...Read More >
Hyderabad: Terming the handcuffing of Lagacharla farmer Hirya Nayak, currently lodged in Sangareddy jail, while taking him to hospital for treatment "inhuman", BRS working president KT Rama Rao has urged the Chief Justice of Telangana high court to take the case suo motu and urged governor Jishnu Dev Varma to order a probe into the incident. Addressing a press meet on Thursday, the BRS leader said the farmer, who is suspected to have suffered a heart attack while in jail, was treated inhumanly. ...Read More >
MUMBAI/LUCKNOW: Backing the call for a uniform civil code in India, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath quoted on Sunday a recent statement by Allahabad HC judge Shekhar Kumar Yadav at an event in Mumbai to assert that "majority sentiments are respected globally". Speaking at a the World Hindu Economic Forum-2024 event in Mumbai, the CM attacked the Congress-headed opposition, saying that by the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code the difference between majority and minority communities needs ...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 >
Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], June 8 (ANI): Several districts of Rajasthan witnessed an intense heatwave on Sunday, with the highest temperature of 47.4 degrees Celsius recorded in Sri Ganganagar. According to the India Meteorological Centre in Jaipur, the temperatures recorded across different districts were 47.4°C in Sri Ganganagar, 46°C in Bikaner, 45.9°C in Barmer, 45.6°C in Churu, 45.4°C in Phalodi, 45.2°C in Jaisalmer, and 45°C in Kota. Also Read | Anjali Varmora Suicide Case: Young Model Ends Life in Gujarat's Surat, Mental Stress Suspected. A June 8 yellow alert, for heatwave and dust ...Read More >
HYDERABAD: With the kharif season underway and farmers facing an acute shortage of urea, agriculture minister Tummala Nageswara Rao has written to the Centre, urging immediate intervention to ensure timely and sufficient supply of the critical fertiliser. In letters addressed to Union minister for chemicals and fertilisers JP Nadda, Tummala highlighted the alarming gap between the state's demand and actual supply. The minister said the Centre had allocated five lakh metric tonnes of urea to Telangana for the months of April, May, and June. However, only 3.06 lakh metric tonnes have been suppli ...Read More >
The Supreme Court has requested responses from the Centre, Tamil Nadu Governor's office, and others regarding the TN government's plea. This plea challenges a Madras High Court order that suspended the state's authority to appoint vice-chancellors at state universities. The University Grants Commission has also been issued a notice concerning the high court's interim order.The Supreme Court has sought a response from the Centre, Tamil Nadu Governor's office, and others on a plea by the TN governm ...Read More >
Ayodhya, Dec 5 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday accused the Opposition parties of trying to divide society, saying what Mughal ruler Babur's army did in Ayodhya and Sambhal is what is happening in Bangladesh. The chief minister, who was in the temple town for the inauguration of the 43rd Ramayan Mela, said Lord Ram united the whole society. "Had we given importance to unity and not let the strategy of nation's enemies succeed in creating social animosity, this country would have never become a slave. Our pilgrimages would not have become impure. A handful of inv ...Read More >
India opened the scoring through Geeta Yadav (11th minute); however, in the second quarter, Belgium equalised through Marie Goenns (25th) The Indian junior women's hockey team made a positive start to its tour of Europe with a 3-2 win over hosts Belgium here on Sunday. India opened the scoring through Geeta Yadav (11th minute). However, in the second quarter, Belgium equalised through Marie Goenns (25th). Soon Belgium took the lead as Louise van Hecke (34th) found the back of the net. India made a valiant comeback and levelled the scores through Sonam (40th). The visitors continued to att ...Read More >
Chennai/Sivaganga, Jul 1 (PTI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Tuesday ordered transferring to the CBI the probe into the Sivaganga custodial death of a 29-year-old man as the opposition mounted pressure seeking central agency investigation. The state government also initiated action against policemen, including putting the district police chief on "compulsory wait". Also, a DSP was placed under suspension. The CM said he was anguished to know that Ajithkumar, picked up for enquiry died under mysterious circumstances in Tiruppuvanam "only because of the assault by the police during i ...Read More >
Amarnath Yatra 2025: The wait for Baba Barfani's darshan is finally going to end. Amarnath Yatra 2025 is going to start from Thursday i.e. July 3. It will continue for 38 days. Amarnath Yatra will continue till August 9. There is a lot of enthusiasm among the devotees for the 38-day journey. Lakhs of devotees come from all over the country to visit Baba Barfani. A no-fly zone has been declared on the Yatra route. The entire pilgrimage will be monitored by CCTV surveillance and drones. Security has been tightened regarding the Amarnath Yatra. It is said that the Amarnath Yatra was interrupted ...Read More >