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, April 7: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) on Tuesday directed the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) to continue withholding the publication of Television Rating Points (TRPs) for news channels for an additional four weeks, or until further orders, citing concerns over sensationalism and speculative reporting related to the ongoing West Asia conflict. "According to the direction, whereas the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had issued a Direction dated 06.03.2026 to M/s Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC), a Television Rating agency, to immediately withhold reporting the Television Rating Points (TRPS) for News TV Channels for a period of four (4) weeks or until further directions, whichever is earlier," the I&B Ministry said. The directive is aimed at curbing the broadcast of exaggerated and unverified content by certain news channels, which the government believes could create panic among viewers. Israel-Iran War Impact: 15+ Things Getting Costlier in India & Why You Shouldn't Panic. "Direction was aimed towards curbing the display of unwarranted sensationalism and speculative content by some news genre channels amidst the West Asia conflict, which may potentially create panic among the general public, especially those having friends and family in the affected areas or residing in the affected areas," the I&B said. This comes as the conflict situation still largely prevails at the moment. "Whereas the conflict situation still largely prevails at the moment; Therefore, in the public interest, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting hereby directs M/s BARC to withhold reporting the Television Rating Points (TRPS) for News TV Channels for a further period of four (4) weeks or until further directions, whichever is earlier," the Ministry said in its statement. India Denies Reports of Talks With Iran on Strait of Hormuz Transit Levy. The Ministry had earlier issued a similar direction on March 6, instructing BARC to suspend TRP reporting for four weeks. As the situation in West Asia continues to remain volatile, the Ministry has now decided to extend the suspension in the interest of public welfare. TRPs serve as a crucial metric for broadcasters and advertisers to evaluate viewership and determine advertising rates. The suspension of TRP data is expected to significantly impact the commercial positioning of news channels, as it removes a key benchmark used to attract advertisers and measure audience share against competitors. This is not the first instance of such action. In 2020, the Ministry had ordered a temporary suspension of TRP ratings for news channels following allegations of data manipulation, which were investigated by the Mumbai Police and involved several broadcasters. Established in 2010 under the aegis of the broadcasting industry, BARC is the sole authorised body responsible for measuring television audience data in India. Its ratings influence multi-crore advertising deals, making any suspension a decision with far-reaching implications not only for editorial practices but also for the business dynamics of the television news industry.
New Delhi, Mar 11 (PTI) State-owned fuel retailers Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) absorbing the impact of elevated global energy prices will lead to heightened margin and cash-flow volatility, Moody's Ratings said on Wednesday. "Domestic retail prices of fuels have remained largely steady since April 2022, despite swings in global oil and gas prices and the country's high dependence on imports," Moody's said in a note. "The companies will bear rising input costs from higher energy prices without correspondi ...Read More >
New Delhi, March 12 (SocialNews.XYZ) There is no fuel shortage, and India has sufficient crude oil stock at the moment, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Thursday, adding that people should not spread rumours and avoid creating fake narratives. Speaking in Parliament, the minister stressed that the volume of energy in India is secure. "India's crude supply position is secure, and the secured volume exceeds what Hormuz would have delivered. Thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's outstanding diplomatic outreach and goodwill, India has secured crude volumes that ex ...Read More >
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Friday condemned the "unjust and illegal war imposed on Iran" and requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to use his influence to end the war in the interest of humanity. He made the statement in the Legislative Assembly as the Leader of the House after several National Conference MLAs pressed for it, even as BJP legislators maintained that the Iran crisis is an international issue and does not fall in the domain of the House. "On behalf of mysel ...Read More >
New Delhi: In a significant shift in strategy, Donald Trump is reportedly willing to end the ongoing US military campaign against Iran without ensuring the reopening of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, according to local report. The development signals a possible recalibration of Washington's war objectives, with the administration prioritising a quicker end to hostilities over securing the crucial oil transit route. As per the report, Trump told aides that the complex and time-consuming task of reopening the Strait through which a major share of global oil supplies passes could be ...Read More >
Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty has issued a strong rebuttal through her legal team after reports surfaced alleging that she received Rs 15 crore from her husband, businessman Raj Kundra, nearly a decade ago in connection with a financial transaction under investigation by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Mumbai. She issued a statement via her lawyer and has categorically denied the reports, calling them 'totally fake and mischievous.' She also accused certain media outlets of deliberately doin ...Read More >
New Delhi, Nov 17 (PTI) The government on Monday said it has decided to increase print media advertisement rates by 26 per cent. This will yield several significant benefits, both for the government and the media landscape, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said in a statement. "The media rates for print media per sq cm for 1 lakh copies of dailies in the black and white advertisement have been enhanced from Rs 47.40 to Rs 59.68, an increase of 26 per cent," it said. The government has also agreed to the recommendations of the Rate Structure Committee (RSC) relating to premium ra ...Read More >
Indian businesses say they are struggling to keep operations running as gas supplies are disrupted by the US and Israel's war on Iran. Restaurant owners are scrambling to keep kitchens running and entrepreneurs in industries like ceramics and fertilisers say they are unable to maintain their production and are warning of shutdowns. India has said it is not short of gas but has invoked emergency measures to ensure supplies get to domestic consumers and other key users. The country meets half of ...Read More >
The shockwaves of a war being fought nearly 3,000km away are now reaching India's kitchens. As the US-Israeli strikes on Iran disrupt energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, supplies of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) are tightening across India, forcing restaurants to cut menus, shorten hours and in some cases shut down altogether. Social media is awash with video clips showing queues outside cooking-gas dealers across Indian cities and towns as worries over fuel supplies spread. Commerci ...Read More >
New Delhi, March 30: India has enough aviation turbine fuel (ATF) for the next 60 days and there is no immediate risk of disruption, Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu told the Rajya Sabha on Monday amid concerns over the ongoing West Asia conflict. Responding to questions in the Rajya Sabha, Naidu assured that the country's aviation fuel supply remains stable despite the oil crisis triggered by the West Asia war. "India currently has adequate ATF reserves and does not foresee any shortage in the near future," he said. "India follows a balanced production system for ATF, where n ...Read More >
Delhi power minister Ashish Sood on Monday directed officials to accelerate the expansion of piped natural gas (PNG) connections in the national capital and conduct an intensive door-to-door campaign to encourage residents to adopt PNG, amid the West Asia crisis. Sood said directions were issued to expand PNG coverage across the city in the next quarter. He chaired a high-level meeting to review PNG expansion in Delhi. Senior officials from IGL, the Urban Development Department, the Municipal C ...Read More >
Mumbai, March 31: Gold prices in Dubai edged slightly higher on Tuesday as the month drew to a close, reflecting a modest rebound in international markets. Retail rates in the "City of Gold" saw 24-carat gold trading at approximately AED 541.75 per gram, a slight increase from previous sessions. The market remains influenced by a complex interplay between a strong US dollar and persistent safe-haven demand triggered by ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia. Local jewellers in the Deira Gold Souk and major shopping centres noted a steady flow of buyers, particularly those looking to hedge ...Read More >
New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a telephonic conversation with Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel, focusing on the volatile situation in West Asia and strengthening bilateral ties. In a post on X on Tuesday, Jaishankar said he had "a good conversation" with Rangel. The two leaders exchanged views on the West Asia conflict and discussed ways to enhance cooperation between India and Portugal. This outreach comes amid broader diplomatic efforts to address regional instability. Jaishankar and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri held high-level talks with Russian Deputy F ...Read More >
New Delhi, Apr 1 (PTI) Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu on Wednesday said public sector oil marketing companies' decision to implement a partial and staggered increase in jet fuel prices for domestic airlines will help in shielding passengers from sharp fare hikes. Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) accounts for around 40 per cent of an airline's operational costs. Naidu said that with ATF prices have been deregulated since 2001 and revised monthly based on international benchmarks. Facing extraordinary pressure due to global energy disruptions and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a st ...Read More >
New Delhi, April 1: PSU oil marketing major Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has increased the prices of its premium fuels in the national capital. XP100 petrol is now priced at Rs 160 per litre, up from Rs 149 earlier. The high-octane fuel is primarily used in luxury vehicles and high-performance motorcycles to enhance engine efficiency. Similarly, the company has raised the price of Xtra Green diesel (premium diesel), which now costs Rs 92.99 per litre in Delhi, compared to Rs 91.49 previously. However, there has been no change in regular petrol and diesel prices, which remained stable across m ...Read More >
The government is taking steps to support traditional media amid rapid digitisation. Initiatives include TRP reforms, raising advertisement rates, and integrating RNI, CBC, and PIB for better coordination. Efforts also focus on improving transparency, outreach, and fact-checking, including a chatbot to verify online content and videos. The government has planned a series of initiatives to shield the conventional media from the disruptions expected due to rapid digitisation in the sector. Union ...Read More >
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday emphasised the need for early restoration of peace in West Asia during a phone conversation with his Dutch counterpart Rob Jetten, which also focused on strengthening India-Netherlands ties. "Exchanged views on the situation in West Asia and emphasised the need for early restoration of peace and stability in the region," PM Modi said on social media. This was the first conversation between Modi and Jetten, who became the Prime Minister last month. India a ...Read More >
A tanker with Iranian crude oil has been flashing India's west coast as its destination, according to maritime tracking sites, in what could be the first such import in nearly seven years. The Eswatini-flagged Ping Shun's transponders and AIS (automatic identity system) have signalled it is headed for the Vadinar offshore terminal and is expected to reach the facility by April 4, according to the Kpler-owned MarineTraffic and Winward, both providers of global commodity and ship data. At an inte ...Read More >
New Delhi: With the government's push for greater adoption of piped natural gas or PNG, the oil ministry on Tuesday said that India added more than 3.1 lakh new PNG connections in March and another 2.7 lakh connections were issued, aiming to expand the base of cleaner fuel networks due to supply disruptions following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The move of the government aims to meet the demand of the cooking gas for households as well as commercial set-ups amid the disruption of LPG supplies in the country amid the West Asia war. The PNG, the government said, is considered more conv ...Read More >
New Delhi, Apr 1 (PTI) Corporate credit profiles remained resilient in 2025-26, with rating upgrades significantly outpacing downgrades, reflecting healthy balance sheets, steady domestic demand, and continued policy support, ICRA said on Wednesday. During FY26, ICRA upgraded 388 entities compared to 124 downgrades, resulting in a strong credit ratio of 3.1 times, a notable improvement from 2 times in FY25 and 2.1 times in FY24. The overall credit quality remained benign, supported by stable operating performance across sectors and sustained infrastructure-led growth, it said, adding power, ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], June 29 (ANI): The world paused on June 13 when Israel targeted major military and nuclear facilities, and crucial personalities in Iran as it launched a series of attacks to disempower the West Asian country. Also Read | Hakham Muhammad Issa Al-Issa Dead: IDF Eliminates Hamas Mastermind Behind October 2023 Attack in Israel. The involvement of the Houthis of Yemen and the US in this high-tension conflict stopped short of a nuclear apocalypse--but this was not entirely unexpected. Some saw this coming. Supporting Israel, the US went ahead and struck three key nuclear sites ...Read More >
New Delhi: India added more than 3.1 lakh new piped natural gas (PNG) connections in March and another 2.7 lakh connections were issued as the government accelerated expansion of cleaner fuel networks amid supply disruptions following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. With the war in West Asia disrupting cooking gas LPG supplies, the government has been pushing for greater adoption of piped natural gas - considered more convenient than LPG cylinders for everyday use as gas is delivered through a pipeline directly to home without the botheration of booking refills. Also Read: 6,000 PNG use ...Read More >
India today (1 April) increased the prices of commercial LPG and jet fuel on the back of a surge in global oil prices linked to the West Asia conflict. The price of a 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder has been hiked by Rs 195.50, and it now costs Rs 2,078.50 in Delhi, according to state-owned oil companies. This is the second time that rates of commercial LPG, which are used mostly by restaurants, roadside dhabas and small hotels, were hiked in a month. The last increase came on 1 March when it went up by Rs 114.5 per 19-kg cylinder. The price of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) was more than double ...Read More >
Mumbai: Businessman Raj Kundra, husband of actor Shilpa Shetty, has claimed before the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Mumbai Police that his company suffered major losses after the 2016 demonetisation drive -- a blow, he said, that severely affected his ability to repay investors. His statement comes amid a probe into an alleged Rs 60.48 crore cheating case linked to his firm Best Deal TV Pvt Ltd. The case was registered following a complaint by Deepak Kothari, director of Lotus Capital Financial Services, who accused Kundra and Shetty of defrauding him of over Rs 60 crore between 2015 and 2 ...Read More >
New Delhi (IANS): Gold and silver prices will likely open higher in Tuesday's evening session as hopes for de-escalation in the West Asia conflict bolster market sentiment. Following global cues, spot gold jumped 2.39 percent to $4,619.14 per ounce by 11 A.M., while US gold futures for June delivery gained 2 percent to reach $4,649.26. Spot silver advanced 4.82 percent to $73.48 per ounce, and COMEX silver rose 4.44 percent from its previous close to trade at $73.705. On Monday, MCX gold futures (June 5) fell 0.15 percent to end at Rs 1,47,450, while MCX silver futures (May 5) remained flat, ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], April 1 (ANI): The prices of LPG cylinders have been revised upward with effect from April 1, with commercial and smaller cylinders witnessing a significant increase across key cities. In Delhi, the price of a 19 kg commercial LPG cylinder has been increased to Rs 2,078.50, marking a rise of Rs 195.50. Meanwhile, the 5 kg FTL cylinder is now priced at Rs 549 per refill, reflecting an increase of Rs 51, sources said. In Kolkata, the price of a 19 kg commercial LPG cylinder has gone up by Rs 218, indicating a broader trend of rising fuel costs across urban centres. Meanwhil ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], April 1 (ANI): In a move aimed at protecting domestic air travel from a sharp global fuel shock, the government has limited the increase in Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices for domestic airlines to 25%, even as international benchmarks indicated a potential surge of over 100%. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said the decision comes in response to an "extraordinary situation in global energy markets," triggered by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. To prevent a steep rise in airfares, public sector oil marketing companies, in consultation with the Ministry of C ...Read More >
* Iran has allowed India-flagged tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz after talks. * Two Indian tankers, Pushpak and Parimal, are safely transiting the strategically vital strait. * A Liberian-flagged tanker with an Indian captain cleared the strait and docked in Mumbai. Did our AI summary help? Let us know. Switch To Beeps Mode New Delhi: Iran has dismissed reports claiming Tehran has allowed India-flagged tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz amid a worsening global energy ...Read More >
India and Iran have been in touch in recent days over issues related to maritime movement and energy security, the government said on Thursday. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said S Jaishankar and Iran's foreign minister had spoken three times recently. "Iran foreign minister and India's Jaishankar have had 3 phone calls in recent days to discuss safe passage of ships, energy security," Jaiswal said. India has been closely monitoring developments in West Asia as tens ...Read More >
New Delhi: Nineteen vessels carrying energy supplies for India are currently stranded near the Strait of Hormuz, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, said. Of these, 10 are foreign-flagged vessels transporting cargo meant for India, while nine are Indian-flagged ships loaded with energy supplies. Addressing the media at an inter-ministerial press briefing on West Asia, Sinha said, "There are three vessels carrying LPG. They're all flying foreign flags. Then there are four crude oil tankers, also all under foreign flags. For LNG, there are thr ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], April 1 (ANI): In a move aimed at protecting domestic air travel from a sharp global fuel shock, the government has limited the increase in Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices for domestic airlines to 25%, even as international benchmarks indicated a potential surge of over 100%. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said the decision comes in response to an "extraordinary situation in global energy markets," triggered by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. To prevent a steep rise in airfares, public sector oil marketing companies, in consultation with the Ministry of C ...Read More >