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!
Beijing | Tamil suspense film Maharaja will be released in China on Friday becoming the first Indian cinema to be screened for Chinese audiences after the normalisation of ties between the two countries following last month's agreement to resolve the standoff in Eastern Ladakh. The suspense film Maharaja has already begun pre-screenings and its release here coincides with two major competitors - Hollywood's Gladiator II and local film Her Story. State-run Global Times reported on Tuesday that the film currently holds a high rating of 8.7/10 on Chinese movie review site Douban and is regarded as one of the highest-rated Indian films in recent years. Directed by Nithilan Swaminathan, the film stars actors Vijay Sethupathi, Anurag Kashyap, Mamta Mohandas and Natty Natraj. It hit the Indian screens on June 14 and was a huge hit. Maharaja -- which is titled 'Yin Guo Bao Ying' in Chinese -- will be first Indian film to be screened in China after both the countries firmed up an agreement on patrolling and disengagement of troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, in a major breakthrough to end the over four-year border standoff. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at their meeting in Kazan in Russia on the sidelines of the BRICS summit on October 23 endorsed the agreement and issued directions to revive various bilateral dialogue mechanisms and normalise ties that were hit by a deadly military clash in 2020 at Galwan Valley. Indian films specially Aamir Khan's Three Idiots, Dangal and Secret Superstar have become a major success in China in recent years as the themes largely resonated with the Chinese audiences and earned a significant amount of revenue. Khan has become a household name in China. China has about 86,000 theatres all over the country, the highest in the world. Chinese film critics say Maharaja too is expected to do very well. "The strength of Maharaja lies in its distinctive cultural expression and unique narrative techniques," Wang Peiyu, a Douban film critic, told the Global Times. "As a suspense film, it uses editing techniques to cleverly conceal the key actions of the protagonist, interspersing numerous subplots to confuse the audience. Through cross-cutting, it creates a feeling of simultaneity and carefully constructs a labyrinthine narrative," he noted. The film's release in China coincides with two major competitors - the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster Gladiator II and local film Her Story. Wang said many Chinese moviegoers have expressed that the theme of Maharaja, which deliberately misguides the audience and revealing the truth suddenly near the end, leaving watchers stunned, can break through language and cultural barriers to resonate with Chinese audiences. He pointed out that this subversive narrative approach not only gives the film a strong sense of sophistication but also makes it a stand out in its genre, positioning it as a true blockbuster. A viewer surnamed Li, who has watched the pre-screening, said that the film continues the tradition of recent Indian cinema, which focuses on social issues, while also incorporating religious beliefs and moral concepts from Indian culture. "For Chinese audiences, such films not only provide intellectual stimulation but also offer a chance to understand Indian culture from a different perspective," Li told the daily.
Kareena Kapoor Khan brought a deeply personal and touching element to her meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi by requesting him to write a heartfelt message for her two sons, Taimur Ali Khan and Jeh Ali Khan, who were unable to attend the event. A memorable highlight from the gathering showcased Kareena watching intently, her expression radiating pride and warmth, as the Prime Minister inscribed a note dedicated to her children, affectionately called "Tim and Jeh."Kareena Kapoor Khan added ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Dilip Kumar, the 'Tragedy King' of Indian cinema, continues to be remembered for his unmatched contributions to Bollywood. Born on December 11, 1922, as Muhammad Yusuf Khan in Peshawar, Pakistan, he ruled the silver screen with his impeccable acting skills, emotional depth, and charisma. On the occasion of his birth anniversary, let's take a trip down memory lane to revisit some of the most iconic roles that made Dilip Kumar a cinematic legend, a man who left an indelible mark on Indian cinema. 1. 'Andaz' (1949) In 'Andaz', Dilip Kumar shared the screen with Nargis and Raj Kapoo ...Read More >
Mumbai: Nayanthara, popularly known as the Lady Superstar of Indian cinema, recently addressed her decision to debut in Bollywood with Shah Rukh Khan's blockbuster Jawan. While fans were disappointed with her limited screen time in the film, Nayanthara revealed her reasons for taking on the role during an interview with the Hollywood Reporter. "I did Jawan only because I love Shah Rukh sir," Nayanthara confessed, crediting the Bollywood superstar for encouraging her to step into Hindi cinema. She shared how Khan personally reached out to ease her concerns about making her Bollywood debut, ass ...Read More >
On the second anniversary of "Mardaani 2", Rani Mukerji along with Yash Raj Films' has officially announced that it is making the third installment of the franchise, where the actress is set to reprise the role of the daredevil cop Shivani Shivaji Roy.On the second anniversary of 'Mardaani 2', Rani Mukerji along with Yash Raj Films' has officially announced that it is making the third installment of the franchise, where the actress is set to reprise the role of the daredevil cop Shivani Shivaji R ...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 >
New Delhi: Nepal's Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's decision to visit China before India after assuming office in 2024 had reignited speculations about the trajectory of India-Nepal bilateral ties. While some analysts see this as a shift in Kathmandu's diplomatic priorities, New Delhi has downplayed concerns, maintaining that relations between the two South Asian neighbours remain strong. "I can tell you that the relations between the two countries remain good and strong and we want to further strengthen these," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during his regular medi ...Read More >
Ed Sheeran, Shah Rukh Khan, and Arijit Singh unite for a song?: Fans worldwide have been enthralled by British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran's recent trip to India, particularly because of his encounters with Bollywood's Shah Rukh Khan and Arijit Singh. Sheeran posted some sweet moments of friendship on Instagram, including Shah Rukh Khan jokingly repeating the hook of Sheeran's upcoming song "Sapphire," and a calm coffee conversation with Arijit Singh on a barge. Sheeran immersed himself in Indi ...Read More >
Chennai: Hours before Union home minister Amit Shah was to arrive in Madurai, Thuglak editor and an associate of Shah, S Gurumurthy on Saturday met PMK founder S Ramadoss. The PMK leader, however, ruled out the possibility of meeting Amit Shah during his two-day visit to Tamil Nadu.Gurumurthy met Ramadoss for the second time amid reported tension within PMK regarding alliance strategies and insistence by Anbumani Ramadoss to remain party president. The hour-long meeting took place at the T Nagar residence of A K Vijay Mahesh, son of former Union minister and PMK leader A K Moorthy, sources sai ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 11 (PTI) A day after the members of Raj Kapoor's family met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bollywood star Kareena Kapoor Khan thanked him for inviting them to "commemorate the extraordinary life and legacy" of their grandfather ahead of the cinema icon's birth centenary. The Kapoor family, including actors Ranbir Kapoor, Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, and Neetu Kapoor, met the prime minister on Tuesday and invited him to the Raj Kapoor Film Festival to be held to celebrate the occasion. December 14, 2024 marks the 100th birth anniversary of Raj Kapoor, an actor, editor, a director, and ...Read More >
Itanagar, Jun 7 (PTI) The flood situation in Arunachal Pradesh improved on Saturday with water levels of most rivers receding, even as 33,000 people in 24 districts remained affected, officials said. Twelve people lost their lives and one person went missing in rain-related incidents, including landslides, after the monsoon set in, they said. In its daily report, the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) said 33,200 people in 215 villages remained affected due to floods and landslides in the state. The water levels of most major rivers and their tributaries were showing a receding trend o ...Read More >
Russian President Vladimir Putin has received an invitation to visit India by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with plans for the visit to be finalized in early 2025. This announcement was made by Kremlin Aide Yury Ushakov during a recent briefing. According to Ushakov, the two leaders have agreed to meet annually, and this time it is Russia's turn to host the meeting. "Our leaders have an agreement to hold meetings once a year. This time, it's our turn," the diplomat noted. "We received Mr. Modi's invitation and we will certainly consider it positively," he stated. Regarding the tentative date ...Read More >
Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], June 6 (ANI): During the World Environment Day 2025 event held at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel called for collective efforts to transform the Prime Minister's vision of 'Ending Plastic Pollution' into a mass movement. The program, jointly organised by the Forest and Environment Department and the Gujarat Pollution Control Board, was graced by Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Mulubhai Bera and Minister of State Shri Mukesh Patel. Also Read | Chinnaswamy Stampede: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Suspends Bengaluru Police ...Read More >
Mumbai, June 6 (SocialNews.XYZ) As his film "Dil Dhadakne Do" turned 10, Bollywood's livewire star Ranveer Singh has shown immense reverence for Zoya Akhtar and used a reference from the film to showcase his bond with the director. Ranveer took to Instagram stories, where he shared a hilarious scene involving a "butter knife" featuring him, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Zarina Wahab, Rahul Bose and Anil Kapoor. For the caption he wrote: "ZOIE SUPREMACY I love you like Pluto loves Kabir. #10yearsofddd." "Dil Dhadakne Do", a family comedy drama film, which is directed by Zoya Akhtar, has a star-stud ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (Dec 11) interacted with members of the Kapoor family who extended an invitation to him to join them in commemorating the 100th birth anniversary of legendary actor-filmmaker Raj Kapoor on Saturday (Dec 14). Members of the Kapoor family including Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Karisma Kapoor, Neetu Kapoor, and Riddhima Kapoor Sahni were present during the brief interaction with the Prime Minister. Modi, who had the conversation with the Kapoor family on 100 years of cinematic legend Raj Kapoor, shared his ad ...Read More >
New Delhi, Feb 4 (PTI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of making "false allegations" about the statement of the Army chief on the situation at the India-China border. "The words attributed to the Army Chief by Shri Rahul Gandhi were never spoken by him at any time. It is a matter of deep regret that Shri Rahul Gandhi should indulge in irresponsible politics on matters of national interest," Singh said on X. In his speech on Monday in Lok Sabha during the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address, the leader of opposition clai ...Read More >
Mumbai, June 4: Dreams do come true, says filmmaker RS Prasanna who went from being a cheerleader for Aamir Khan as the accepted an award for "Taare Zameen Par" in 2007 to finally directing him in its sequel "Sitaare Zameen Par". Prasanna, known for "Kalyana Samayal Saadham" in Tamil and its Hindi remake "Shubh Mangal Saavdhan", was still in film school in 2007 when he watched "Taare Zameen Par". "I remember bawling my eyes out while watching 'Taare Zameen Par' with my friends, and my then-girlfriend, now wife. When Aamir sir won the Best Debut Director award at the Gollapudi Srinivas Award, ...Read More >
Maharaja, a Tamil suspense film directed by Nithilan Swaminathan, becomes the first Indian film to release in China post-normalization of ties. The film holds a high rating in China and competes with Hollywood's Gladiator II and local film Her Story. It is expected to resonate with Chinese audiences. Maharaja, a Tamil suspense film, is making history as the first Indian film to be released in China following the resolution of the Indo-China border standoff. Directed by Nithilan Swaminathan, the movie, starring Vijay Sethupathi and others, is set to captivate Chinese audiences. Receiving a hi ...Read More >
He defended his choice of Viduthalai Part 2, stating that storytelling is about reflecting people's lives Actor Vijay Sethupathi, while promoting his upcoming movie Viduthalai Part 2 in Hyderabad, shared his thoughts on the box-office performance of Thalapathy Vijay's GOAT and Suriya-starrer Kanguva in the Telugu-speaking states. In an interview with The Great Andhra, Sethupathi was asked about the setbacks faced by recent Tamil Pan-India films, particularly at the Telugu box office. However, h ...Read More >
A summary of world news briefs includes Hezbollah's media chief killed by Israeli airstrike, U.S. policy shift allowing Ukraine to use American weapons against Russia, Xi Jinping's final talks with Joe Biden, and other geopolitical developments including climate finance consensus at the G20 in Brazil. In a significant escalation of regional tensions, Lebanese Hezbollah's media relations head, Mohammad Afif, was killed in an Israeli strike in central Beirut. The attack targets a senior Hezbollah figure, signaling a rare focus on individuals without explicit military roles. The U.S. administra ...Read More >
Bengaluru: Ex-Karnataka Chief Minister and former External Affairs Minister SM Krishna died here early on Tuesday, leaving behind a rich legacy of statesmanship and public service that saw the 92-year-old leader scale all heights of political achievements. Suave, sophisticated and a man with enviable academic credentials, Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna started off his political innings as an independent MLA from Maddur in 1962, stunning a then Congress veteran in the elections, and went on to become the state's CM and later the country's External Affairs Minister. Tributes poured in for the fo ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 12 (PTI) Telugu superstar Allu Arjun on Thursday said the humongous success of his latest release "Pushpa 2: The Rule" is a reflection of people's love and he hopes the box office record of the film, which has become the fastest movie to earn Rs 1,000 crore, is broken soon by another movie. A sequel to Arjun's 2021 Telugu blockbuster "Pushpa: The Rise", the film released on December 5 with dubbed versions in Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Bengali, and Malayalam, and has emerged as one of the biggest hits of 2024. Also Read | RSIFF 2024: Nick Jonas Reveals Being Fascinated by Priyanka ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], December 18 (ANI): Chinese Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong on Wednesday said that China is ready to work with India and put into action the understandings between Indian and Chinese leaders. The comments come ahead of the 23rd meeting of the Special Representatives between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and China Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing. In a post on X, Ambassador Xu Feihong, "China is ready to work with India to implement the important common understandings between the leaders of China and India, respect each other's core interests and major concerns, str ...Read More >
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], May 29 (ANI): Tamil veteran actor Rajesh passed away at the age of 75 years on Thursday morning. As per his relatives, the actor passed away on the way to Madras Institute of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (MIOT) hospital after he suddenly experienced difficulty in breathing. Also Read | 'Sister Midnight' Censored in India: CBFC Blurs Nudity From Radhika Apte's Dark Comedy - View Full List of Cuts. Rajesh has worked in over 100 films in his entire acting career. He started his acting journey with a superhit film, 'Aval Oru Thodar Kathai', which also starred Kama ...Read More >
Mumbai, June 7 (UNI) Bollywood luminary Deepika Padukone is set to share screen space with South Indian superstar Allu Arjun in an upcoming high-octane pan-India film backed by acclaimed filmmaker Atlee and Kalanithi Maran's company Sun Pictures. The announcement teaser offers a tantalising glimpse into the epic scale of the film, portraying Padukone in a compelling exchange with Atlee before donning resplendent warrior regalia and stepping onto an elaborate set, exuding poise, power and readiness for battle. Tentatively titled Project AA22x A6, the film unites four formidable forces in Indi ...Read More >
New Delhi: A viral YouTube video recently claimed that Rs 500 currency notes will stop being used from March next year. However, the Central government has dismissed these claims. In a post on X, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) clarified that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has made no such announcement, and Rs 500 notes will continue to be valid for transactions. A video posted on the YouTube channel 'CAPITAL TV' has created confusion by claiming that Rs 500 notes will be discontinued by March 2026. Clearing the air, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) shared a fact-check post on X, saying ...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 >
Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Rio de Janeiro to attend the G20 Summit and engage in bilateral talks with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Xi aims to strengthen China-Brazil relations, highlighting the importance of collaboration between the two nations in global affairs. Chinese President Xi Jinping landed in Rio de Janeiro, marking his attendance at the 19th G20 Summit, according to Chinese state media reports. The visit also includes a state meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. In a statement made on arrival, Xi Jinping expressed his eager ...Read More >
Preview shows were organised in China and the audience's reactions are a must-see The Tamil superhit film Maharaja, directed by Nithilan Saminathan, is set for its theatrical release in China on November 29, 2024. Ahead of its release, preview shows were organised in China, and the audience's reactions were reportedly remarkable. A few social media users posted videos and photos on X, highlighting the audience's reaction from the preview shows in China. The viewers could be seen to be completely shocked, dismayed, with raised eyebrows and widened eyes, as they reacted to the climax scene of ...Read More >
Tamil cinema eagerly anticipates Viduthalai 2, directed by National Award-winner Vetrimaaran, releasing on December 20, 2024. Starring Vijay Sethupathi and Soori, this sequel promises to end the year on a high note. The film explores Perumaal Vaathiyaar’s backstory and the gripping conflict between rebels and authorities. Produced by RS Infotainment, the movie’s Malayalam release will be handled by Vaika Enterprises Maryland, led by Senthil Subramaniam. The trailer and Ilaiyaraaja’s powerful soundtrack were unveiled recently. With a stellar cast including Manju Warrier and Gautham Vasudev Meno ...Read More >
The Huddle was a two-day conclave featuring thought leaders from the world of politics, business, academics, sports and the arts. This conclave saw Sri Lanka's the then leader of Opposition, Mahinda Rajapaksa, politicians Jairam Ramesh, Arif Mohammed Khan, tennis player Sania Mirza, the then Home Minister Rajnath Singh, among other leaders and academics share their ideas. Photo: MURALI KUMAR K A Mixed Legacy: The many facets of Indira Gandhi : Srinath Raghavan, Academic & Author, Jairam Ramesh, Economist & Politician, Shekhar Gupta, Journalist In conversation with Mini Kapoor, Ideas Editor, ...Read More >