{"data":{"all":{"edges":[{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"RPS Praises Jackky’s Patience and Support"},"content":{"text":"Actress Rakul Preet Singh has looked back at a difficult phase following a serious injury, and recalled how through every step of that journey her husband-producer Jackky Bhagnani stood by her side. Rakul was joined by her husband Jackky on the chat show Famously Fit with Sophie hosted by Sophie Choudry. Sharing what that meant to her, Rakul said “He has been my biggest support… he never cribbed about my road to recovery, we did everything together.” She further added: “He is all ears when he is listening to me, so that’s half the battle won.” Jackky and Rakul’s story began somewhere between shared routines, food swaps, and just consistently showing up for each other. For them working out is a part of the routine. As Jackky puts it: “We don't look at it like this, for us it's like taking a shower,” while Rakul added: “You know some people read every day, some people eat some food every day, so for us it’s a routine — uthke workout kiya phir din shuru hota hai. And this is not for losing weight, not to look a certain way, not for show but for us.” As the conversation deepens, it naturally moves into their individual journeys and everything that has shaped them along the way. Reflecting on his experience as a producer, Jackky shares, “Producing is not an easy job…it has made me a more humble and a better person and taught me what life is all about.” The episode shifts gears into full entertainment mode, packed with candid confessions, fun moments, and just the right dose of chaos. Rakul and Jackky announced that they were in a relationship in 2021. It was in 2024, when the two got married in Goa in an intimate ceremony. Produced by Amazon MX Player (AMXP), executed by Tamgha Entertainment, Famously Fit with Sophie is now streaming on Amazon MX Player."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aSrelnNYClf9nmOS_rakuljacky.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-01T09:54:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"rps-praises-jackkys-patience-and-support"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment","featured","three"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Why Preity Wouldn’t Call a Co-Star in Trouble"},"content":{"text":"Actress Preity Zinta had once revealed why she would not call actor Saif Ali Khan in a time of crisis.  During her appearance on the second season of the reality chat show, \"Koffee with Karan\", Preity shared that Saif had sent her a funny message while she was stuck in the Tsunami, facing a near-death experience. When host Karan Johar asked the 'Veer-Zaara' actress, \"Who is the last person from the film industry you would think of in the following situation? If you were kidnapped, who is the last person you would call?\" Responding to the question, Preity named Saif.  Sharing the reason, Preity went on to explain, \"Because I was in the tsunami and I had the worst experience of my life , and he sends me a message going, \"Hey, PZ, underwater or what?\" I was just like, \"Ah! What kind of a guy is he?\"\". For those who do not know, a massive tsunami struck the coasts of the Indian Ocean on December 26, 2004, resulting in a loss of more than 2,30,000 people in around 14 countries.  Preity, who was holidaying with her friends in Phuket at the time, was also stuck in the natural disaster. She has spoken about the traumatic experience on several occasions. It must also be noted that Preity has shared screen space with Saif in not one but two praiseworthy dramas, \"Kal Ho Naa Ho\" and \"Salaam Namaste\". Their natural chemistry was highly palpable in both these dramas. Up next, Preity is gearing up to make her comeback to the big screen with \"Lahore 1947\". Directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, the project will see Sunny Deol as the lead, along with Shabana Azmi, Ali Fazal, and Abhimanyu Singh in significant roles. Backed by Bollywood actor Aamir Khan, \"Lahore 1947\" has been set against the backdrop of the partition of India."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/Z_jsz-vxEdbNO5qz_preity.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-05-01T09:30:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"why-preity-wouldnt-call-a-co-star-in-trouble"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Was Mamata Nervous Before Poll Results?"},"content":{"text":"Baratiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs on Friday claimed that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has \"panicked\" before the Assembly election results on May 4 and is looking for an \"excuse\" for defeat.  The response came after the Bengal CM, on Thursday night, stormed the Sakhawat Memorial Government Girls High School, the venue for a strong-room storing the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) for the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency in South Kolkata and stayed there past midnight, alleging EVM tampering. BJP national spokesperson Syed Shahnawaz Hussain remarked that the Trinamool Congress is \"panicking\" due to the fear of defeat. \"In panic and confusion, they are going to the strong room. The public has already made its decision. The Bharatiya Janata Party is going to come with full strength,\" he told. He mentioned that the exit polls too have given an edge to the BJP. Hussain also echoed: \"Trinamool Congress is looking for an excuse. It wants to blame the Election Commission for its defeat.\" BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla called the Trinamool Congress members as \"people belonging to mafia culture\". He said, \"Trinamool has adopted the triple D approach. Denial, Diversion and Drama. They are even threatening people now. The party leaders also abuse the Constitutional establishments like the Election Commission. Poonawalla referred to a viral video in which Trinamool MP Kalyan Banerjee is purportedly heard making objectionable remarks against Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He said, \"More than the exit polls, his statement is proof that Trinamool is going to exit.\" Bihar BJP President Sanjay Saraogi termed Banerjee's visit to the strong room as her \"frustration\". \"It is coming across as if she (Banerjee) is also losing from Bhabanipur. The kind of activity she is doing, even the law does not approve of that. Panic is clearly visible on her face. People used to call Bihar as 'Jungle Raj', but for the past 15 years, there has been 'Maha Jungle Raj' in Bengal. People are fed up there,\" he said. About the exit polls, he said: \"Most of them have given the BJP an edge, which is why she is more panicked.\" BJP leader Dilip Ghosh said that the losing side seems to have no other \"excuse left\". \"After ruling for 15 years, if a party is now doing politics over SIR and strong rooms, what does that indicate? It suggests the party has already accepted defeat and is now searching for some excuse,\" he told reporters. BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal accused CM Banerjee of not taking responsibility for her actions. \"She (Banerjee) has lost the election, and the people have shown her the way out of Bengal, so she is blaming EVMs,\" he said."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad%2F5aaa6dd1-fbd0-4a41-a9a2-38108ebb236c_mamata.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C7%2C1200%2C592&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-01T08:49:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"was-mamata-nervous-before-poll-results"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics","featured","four"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"C.V. Anand takes charge as T'gana DGP"},"content":{"text":"With the Maoist problem almost eliminated, Telangana Police will revamp the department to focus on new areas of crime, said new Director General of Police C. V. Anand on Friday. He told a press conference after taking charge as the state police chief that the functioning of the department will be reviewed, and some areas will be revamped. He pointed out that in the 1980s and 1990s, certain wings like Greyhounds and Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) were created to tackle the Naxal problem. “Now that the Maoist problem is almost eliminated, it’s not correct to continue the personnel,” he said. While stating that the chances of revival of the Maoist movement are remote, the DGP said they would take all precautions to make sure that the problem does not arise again. He emphasised the need for innovative thinking and redeployment of the personnel to tackle new problems. Anand said some units, which are very important but were not given proper attention or sufficient manpower due to a lack of staff in the past, would be strengthened. Referring to vacancies, the DGP said the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister told the department to focus on revamp by identifying unnecessary attachments and unnecessary deployments. Stating that road safety would be one of the top priorities, Anand said the Traffic Management and Road Safety Bureau will be created on the lines of the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) and Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement (EAGLE) established in recent years. He said the proposed body would work to standardise traffic management practices and ensure uniformity in the implementation of traffic rules across the state to prevent accidents and reduce the number of fatalities. He noted that every year, 8,500 people die in road accidents across the state. Highlighting the magnitude of the traffic problem, he said every day 1,600 new vehicles are coming on the roads in four commissionerates in Greater Hyderabad. Stating that Telangana Police emerged as the number one police in the country with revolutionary changes and innovation in all sectors in recent years, Anand said under his leadership, it would continue its journey in the same direction by using the latest technology. Saying that while Telangana Police have a good record in maintaining law and order, he acknowledged that in a few places, the failure of the field-level officials to anticipate communal incidents and other law and order issues was creating problems. “My effort will be to see that all officials improve this quality,” he said. Appreciating the work being done by TGCSB in tackling cybercrimes, he underlined the need for the active participation of field-level officers, Superintendents, Police and Commissioners of Police. The DGP said narcotics control would be one of his top priorities. While noting that EAGLE and Hyderabad Narcotics Enforcement Wing (H-NE) were doing commendable work, he stated that all SPs should also conduct anti-narcotics operations. Anand said that to prevent the drug menace in school and college campuses, the department would focus on awareness. Anti-drugs committees in educational institutions will be activated with the involvement of education and other departments. Earlier, senior police officials extended a warm welcome to Anand upon his arrival at the DGP office. The newly-appointed DGP received a guard of honour from the police and later assumed charge as the head of the police force."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/afRxcsBOoF08xiDg_CVAnandDGP.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-01T08:30:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"c.v.-anand-takes-charge-as-tgana-dgp"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment","featured","two"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"'Peddi' shooting wrapped!"},"content":{"text":"Ace cinematographer Rathnavelu, who is the cameraman for director Buchi Babu Sana's eagerly awaited rural action drama 'Peddi', featuring Telugu star Ram Charan in the lead, has now said that shooting for the film had been wrapped. Taking to his X timeline in the early hours of May 1, cinematographer Rathnavelu wrote, \"It’s a wrap for Mega power star @AlwaysRamCharan ! #Peddi -A Memorable journey. Working with #RC has been truly special. A powerhouse performer on screen and a wonderful friend off it. Grateful for the memories we’ve created together. @BuchiBabuSana @arrahman @vriddhicinemas.\" On his Instagram page, he wrote, \"Working with Ram Charan has been nothing short of inspiring — not just a phenomenal actor who brings fire and finesse to every frame, but also a genuinely warm and a truly reliable friend off screen. On this last day of shoot with him , I carry back not just great visuals, but great memories. Here’s to the magic we created together — and to many more journeys ahead.\" It may be recalled that the IANS had reported on April 29 that the unit was in the process of shooting the last song for the film.  Sources close to the unit of the film had informed IANS that the number would be a sensational special song featuring Ram Charan. They had also gone on to claim that the song, which was shot in Hyderabad, would contain a surprise element for audiences. A source had said, \"The tune, the dance, the granduer set and a surprise in it will make the audience go berserk. The song, that has been set to tune by A R Rahman, will be another sure-shot chartbuster.\"  The makers had confirmed a week ago that the entire shoot of 'Peddi' would be wrapped up in six days. Prior to that, Vriddhi Cinemas, which is producing the film, had taken to its social media timelines to issue a statement. It had said, \"Firstly, thank you all for the wonderful response to our songs and glimpses. We're truly happy to see the love and excitement for 'Peddi'. The talkie part of the film is complete, and we only have one song left to be shot. We've seen the edit of the film, and we're extremely happy with the output.\" It then went on to say, \"With such great content in our hands, we want to present it in the best possible way. For that, we feel it's important to give our technicians and post-production team a little more time to bring out their best with absolute perfection. It is our duty to give you nothing but the best theatrical experience. So, we've decided to push the release of the film to June.\" Stating that the exact date of release would be announced very soon, the makers thanked fans for their continued support and patience. \"It truly means a lot to us,\" the film unit had said. 'Peddi', which has triggered huge excitement among fans and film buffs, has been in the limelight right from the time it was first announced. The film brings together a strong cast with Janhvi Kapoor playing the leading lady. Senior actors Shiva Rajkumar, Jagapathi Babu, Divyenndu, and Boman Irani will all be seen playing important parts in this film. On the technical side, the movie is backed by some of the best in the industry. R Rathnavelu is handling the camera work, Navin Nooli is in charge of editing, and Avinash Kolla has designed the film’s massive and detailed sets."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/afRdv8BOoF08xh7z_peddiwrapped.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-05-01T05:01:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"peddi-shooting-wrapped"}},{"node":{"tags":["NRI"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"USCIS flags 100 H-1B cases linked to DEI roles"},"content":{"text":"The US immigration authorities have identified about 100 H-1B visa cases linked to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) roles, according to an official response to a senator, as the administration steps up scrutiny of the programme.  In a letter dated April 21, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Joseph B. Edlow said the agency reviewed H-1B petitions filed between fiscal years 2021 and 2024 following concerns raised by Senator Eric Schmitt. “This initial analysis identified approximately 100 cases where the position title referenced ‘diversity’, ‘equity’, ‘inclusion’ or similar terms, and the role appeared to be DEI-related to some degree,” Edlow wrote. He added that “several unrelated financial roles, including terms such as ‘private equity’, were excluded.” The review marks part of a broader policy push under President Donald Trump targeting DEI programmes. Edlow said Trump had taken action through an Executive Order titled 'Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing'. He also cited a presidential proclamation issued on September 19, 2025. “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers, under which certain H-1B petitions filed at or after 12:01 a.m. EDT on September 21, 2025, are subject to a $100,000 payment,” the letter said. USCIS described the measure as “an important, initial, and incremental step to reform the H-1B visa programme to curb abuses and protect American workers”. Edlow said the agency is preparing further policy changes. “I have directed the USCIS Office of Policy and Strategy to develop a policy update to prevent abuse of the H-1B program via DEI initiatives,” he wrote. He said USCIS is “committed to working with you and your office toward necessary remedies, whether legislative or regulatory, to promote American values and put the American people first.” The agency also offered to brief lawmakers as the work progresses. “We would be happy to coordinate a briefing with you and your team to explain the progress made in this effort,” Edlow said."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/9706436b-2277-4f44-ba60-6cc43c85127f_USCIS.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-01T03:45:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"uscis-flags-100-h-1b-cases-linked-to-dei-roles"}},{"node":{"tags":["NRI"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Texas probes firms in H-1B fraud case​"},"content":{"text":"Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has taken legal action against nearly 30 North Texas businesses as part of an investigation into suspected fraud and abuse of the H-1B visa programme, officials said Thursday. Paxton’s office has issued Civil Investigative Demands (CIDs) to the companies, seeking records as part of what authorities describe as a widening probe into alleged misuse of the system that allows US employers to hire foreign skilled workers. The investigation includes Tekpro IT LLC, Fame PBX LLC, 1st Ranking Technologies LLC, Qubitz Tech Systems LLC, Blooming Clouds LLC, Virat Solutions, Inc., Oak Technologies Inc, Techpath Inc, and Techquency LLC, among others. “These companies are suspected of engaging in fraudulent practices designed to exploit the H-1B visa program,” the statement said. Authorities say several of the firms may have used so-called “ghost offices” to falsely present active operations in order to sponsor foreign workers. “I will not allow the H-1B program to be abused by bad actors seeking to use it as a loophole for allowing foreign nationals to invade Texas,” Paxton said. “My office will continue working to uncover and put an end to fraud within the H-1B program.” The Attorney General’s office has sought documents identifying employees, records of products and services, financial statements, and internal communications tied to business operations. Officials said the move builds on an ongoing and broader investigation into alleged H-1B abuse across Texas. ​“This announcement is a continuation of Attorney General Paxton’s sweeping investigation into H-1B abuse, which has previously included multiple other Texas companies,” the statement said. ​The Office of the Attorney General added that it is “actively investigating participants in the program to ensure compliance with the law and that the H-1B program puts the interests of Americans first.” ​The H-1B visa programme allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialised occupations. It is widely used in sectors such as information technology, engineering, and finance. ​The programme has faced scrutiny over the years over allegations of misuse, including fraudulent sponsorships and the use of shell companies. Authorities have increased enforcement efforts in recent years to ensure compliance while preserving access to skilled labour."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aU5WZXNYClf9opPw_H1B.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C60%2C449%2C221&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-04-30T15:58:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"texas-probes-firms-in-h-1b-fraud-case"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"EC approves TRS as name of Kavitha's new party"},"content":{"text":"The Election Commission of India has approved Telangana Rakshana Sena (TRS) as the name of Kalvakuntla Kavitha’s new political party.   Kavitha’s office said on Thursday that the Central Election Commission has officially given the TRS name to Kavitha. It said officials handed over a letter granting permission to the party at Kavitha's residence in Banjara Hills here. Kavitha had, last week, launched the new political party as Telangana Rashtra Sena (TRS). However, the ECI approved the name Telangana Rakshana Sena (TRS). The Election Commission is reported to have declined approval for Telangana Rashtra Sena as this will be almost similar to Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), the earlier name of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). Kavitha, however, was keen on the acronym TRS as it was a household name during the Telangana movement. She formally launched her TRS on April 25, more than six months after resigning from the BRS following her suspension from the party led by her father and former Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR), at a public meeting at Muneerabad in Medchal Malkajgiri district near here. Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) was launched by KCR in 2001 to revive the movement for a separate state of Telangana. It became the BRS in 2022 as the party planned to expand itself to other parts of the country. Kavitha picked the acronym 'TRS' at a time when the BRS is seriously considering the proposal to revert to the TRS, as the party leaders believe that the party lost connect with the people due to the name change and as a result lost power in 2023 and drew a blank in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. At the launch event, Kavitha had criticised KCR and her brother and BRS Working President K. T. Rama Rao (KTR). Also stating that KCR is no longer the same person, she accused him of not standing with people, especially farmers and the poor, in times of distress. Reacting to Kavitha’s party, KTR stated on April 27 that political parties come and go. \"Parties come and go. There is no need to pay much attention to it,\" he said while replying to queries at a press conference."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/afONO8BOoF08xg_H_TRSKavitha.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-04-30T14:15:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"ec-approves-trs-as-name-of-kavithas-new-party"}},{"node":{"tags":["Videos"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"JETLEE Release Trailer"},"content":{"text":"JETLEE Release Trailer"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/afOPGsBOoF08xg_8_jetlee.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-04-30T13:19:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhNPpBeVpYk"}},"uid":"jetlee-release-trailer"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"YSRCP leader Srihari gets bail"},"content":{"text":"A court in Andhra Pradesh’s Chittoor district on Thursday granted bail to YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) General Secretary (Media), Pudi Srihari, who was arrested on Wednesday for an allegedly abusive social media post targeting Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.  Police arrested him in Bengaluru early on Wednesday morning. He was brought to Kuppam, where he was produced before the Additional Junior Civil Judge Court on Thursday. After hearing arguments from both sides, the court granted bail to Srihari. YSRCP General Secretary (legal cell) and former Advocate General, P. Sudhakar Reddy, said the police arrested Srihari at 5.45 A.M. but told the court that he was arrested at 11.45 P.M. Sudhakar Reddy said that the YSRCP has full faith in the judiciary and will continue its fight against false cases. Srihari was arrested a day after the Supreme Court declined to intervene in Andhra Pradesh High Court’s order, suspending the remand rejection order of the trial court. Srihari, who served as Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) to then Chief Minister, Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, had approached the Supreme Court, apprehending arrest after the High Court suspended the remand rejection order given by the trial court in Kuppam. Srihari was arrested on April 15 in Vijayawada in the case registered against him over making objectionable social media posts with morphed images of Chief Minister Naidu. He was subsequently shifted to Kuppam, where the case was registered against him and another YSRCP functionary Girish Kumar Reddy. Srihari was produced before the trial court on April 16. He was released after the court rejected the petition by the police to send him to judicial remand. Later, the High Court suspended the order of the trial court. Srihari has already denied creating, posting or forwarding the content in question. He said he had worked as a senior journalist for over 25 years and had always functioned within the limits of the law. He maintained that even as a political leader, he continued to follow the ethics of journalism and respected the law."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/afM-IsBOoF08xfms_sridharycp.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-04-30T11:25:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"ysrcp-leader-srihari-gets-bail"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Court orders defreezing of Rhea's bank account"},"content":{"text":"A special NDPS court in Mumbai has ordered the defreezing of a bank account linked to actress Rhea Chakraborty and her mother Sandhya Chakraborty, holding that the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) failed to comply with mandatory provisions under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.  Special Judge U.C. Deshmukh, in an order passed on April 25, allowed the application seeking defreezing of ICICI Bank and permitted its operation in accordance with RBI rules. The applicants had contended that the freezing of the account was illegal as the Central agency did not follow the provisions of Section 68F of the NDPS Act, which governs seizure or freezing of property suspected to be illegally acquired. The prosecution opposed the plea, claiming that statements recorded during investigation showed that Rhea Chakraborty was an active member of a drug syndicate and had links with alleged drug peddlers, and therefore the freezing of the bank accounts was justified. However, the court recorded that Section 68F(2) clearly provides that an order freezing or seizing property ceases to have effect unless it is confirmed by the competent authority within 30 days. “There is no dispute that the subject matter bank account has been freeze by the officer of the respondent. The respondent does not deny that there is no compliance of Sub-section (2) of Section 68F of the Act,” the order said. It added that no confirmation order, as required under the NDPS Act, had been passed and therefore the continuation of the freeze could not be sustained in law. Relying on a previous ruling of the Bombay High Court, the court said powers to freeze property are not unregulated and must be exercised strictly in accordance with statutory safeguards. The court consequently directed that the account be defreezed and the account holders be allowed to operate it as per applicable banking regulations. The case arises out of the 2020 NCB investigation linked to alleged drug-related activities following the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. Earlier, the Bombay High Court had granted Rhea Chakraborty relief by directing the return of her passport, observing that there was no sufficient reason to apprehend that she would evade legal proceedings."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/afM3g8BOoF08xfka_rhea.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-04-30T11:05:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"court-orders-defreezing-of-rheas-bank-account"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas weds Kavya in Tirumala"},"content":{"text":"Well known Telugu actor Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas wed his girlfriend Kavya in a serene and elegant ceremony held at the Karnataka Bhavan in Tirumala on Wednesday.  The wedding was an intimate event with only close family members and a select group of friends in attendance. Sources present on the occasion said that the bridegroom tied the knot at exactly 11.13 pm on Wednesday. They pointed out that though the ceremony remained intimate it was deeply meaningful. As the couple began a new chapter together, their union was marked by blessings, tradition, and a quiet grandeur. Sources also said that both families wholeheartedly participated in the wedding rituals. The entire celebration carried a calm yet celebratory tone, where age-old customs were followed with sincerity, blending seamlessly with a refined modern sensibility. The venue was transformed into a traditional visual spectacle, featuring temple-inspired decorations, lush floral arrangements, and shimmering golden accents, the sources informed, adding every detail reflected a deep respect for heritage while maintaining understated elegance. Adding a distinctive artistic touch, designer Shravan Kumar created specially curated outfits for the bride and groom. Kavya dazzled in a heavily embellished saree with exquisite jewelry, while Sreenivas sported classic traditional wear.  Festivities began well over a month ago, with the pre-engagement ceremony taking place on March 8 this year. In fact, actor Bellamkonda Srinivas, a day after that ceremony, had penned on his Instagram page an adorable post to his life partner.  In it, he had said, \"To my Kavyaamma, Life has its own beautiful timing… and mine brought you into my world. Thank you for coming into my life, believing me at the right time, filling my days with positivity and countless smiles !! Will make sure that smile on your face will never fade away. I can’t wait for our forever together. With love, Your Sreeni.\" Sources say the wedding celebrations are far from over, as a grand reception is scheduled to take place in Hyderabad on Saturday. The event is expected to be a star-studded affair, bringing together prominent members of the film fraternity, close friends, and well-wishers. With a larger guest list and an even more festive atmosphere, the reception, they say, will be a memorable gathering filled with warmth, elegance, and celebratory spirit."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/afNFwcBOoF08xfrF_bellamkondamarriage.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-04-30T10:30:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"bellamkonda-sai-sreenivas-weds-kavya-in-tirumala"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Interim Relief to Karisma’s Children in Estate Row"},"content":{"text":"The Delhi High Court on Thursday granted interim relief to the two children of late industrialist Sunjay Kapur from his previous marriage to Bollywood actor Karisma Kapoor, restraining his widow Priya Kapur from dissipating or creating third-party rights over key portions of his estate pending adjudication of a family inheritance dispute.  A single-judge Bench of Justice Jyoti Singh held that the estate of the deceased must be preserved during the pendency of the suit, observing that suspicious circumstances surrounding the purported will had been raised by the plaintiffs -- Samaira Kapur and Kiaan Kapur -- as well as Sunjay Kapur’s mother, Rani Kapur.  The Delhi High Court said that the onus to dispel those suspicions lies on Priya Kapur, while clarifying that the question of the will’s genuineness and validity would ultimately be determined during trial.  Holding that a prima facie case had been made out in favour of the plaintiffs, Justice Singh restrained Priya Kapur from alienating, transferring, pledging, or altering the equity and shareholding structure in Sunjay Kapur’s Indian companies.  The judge also barred her from withdrawing provident fund amounts, disposing of personal effects, artworks, or cryptocurrencies linked to the deceased’s estate.  Further, the Delhi High Court prohibited withdrawals from specified Indian bank accounts, except to the extent necessary for discharging liabilities towards the children arising from the divorce settlement between Sunjay Kapur and Karisma Kapoor.  It also ordered restrictions on the operation of certain foreign bank accounts and crypto holdings connected to the deceased, while clarifying that it lacked jurisdiction over immovable foreign assets and therefore issued no directions in respect of such properties.  The dispute arises from a suit filed by Samaira Kapur and Kiaan Kapur seeking a share in the personal estate of their late father, estimated to be worth around Rs 30,000 crore.  The siblings have challenged a March 21, 2025, will, which allegedly bequeaths the entirety of Sunjay Kapur’s personal estate to Priya Kapur, terming it forged and the product of a criminal conspiracy aimed at excluding them and their grandmother.  During earlier hearings, counsel for the children had alleged that the purported will was tampered with when Sunjay Kapur was on holiday with his son, and that a person allegedly involved in modifying the document was appointed as a company director a day after his death.  The children have sought one-fifth share each in the estate, claiming entitlement as Class-I legal heirs and asserting that they remained in regular contact with their father through meetings, holidays and electronic communication.  Sunjay Kapur, the former husband of Karisma Kapoor, died in June 2025 at the age of 53 after reportedly suffering a heart attack while playing polo in the United Kingdom.  Meanwhile, in a connected defamation dispute, the Delhi High Court had directed Priya Kapur and Sunjay Kapur’s sister, Mandhira Kapur Smith, to refrain from making public statements against each other.  Justice Mini Pushkarna, while hearing Priya Kapur’s civil defamation suit seeking Rs 20 crore in damages, orally observed that both sides must conduct themselves with dignity and exercise restraint in making direct or indirect public remarks pending further proceedings. "},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/3a863d12-4aa8-40fe-a960-ac7492f56707_karishma+Kapoor.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-04-30T10:22:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"interim-relief-to-karismas-children-in-estate-row"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Vizag Emerges as Tech Hub"},"content":{"text":"The Andhra Pradesh government’s talent-driven ecosystem has positioned Visakhapatnam as an emerging IT growth hub, officials said on Thursday.  Through progressive policies such as IT & GCC (Information Technology & Global Capability Centres) and LIFT (Land Incentive for Tech Hubs), coupled with industry-academia collaboration, robust infrastructure support, and employee-friendly urban mobility solutions, the state has created an enabling environment for IT companies to scale seamlessly, they said. The ecosystem-led approach is helping reverse the long-standing trend of talent migration, positioning Visakhapatnam not just as a source of skilled professionals, but as a destination where global companies can build and retain high-quality teams. Visakhapatnam is rapidly emerging as one of India’s most promising IT destinations, powered by a strong local talent base and a maturing ecosystem that is increasingly attracting global technology investments. Reinforcing this trend, Infosys has been allotted 20 acres of land in Vizag to set up a 7,000-seater facility, said a government release. Over the last two years, Infosys has scaled its workforce in Visakhapatnam from 250 employees in early 2024 to nearly 1,900 currently, with an additional 750 seats set to become operational in the near term. The company has also outlined plans for a permanent 20-acre campus, with a long-term seating capacity of 7,000 professionals - demonstrating strong confidence in the region’s long-term potential. According to the official release, a defining feature of this growth is the deep integration with the local talent ecosystem. The Visakhapatnam campus has recruited over 1,000 freshers and 500 lateral hires from the region, reflecting the availability of industry-ready talent and the success of Andhra Pradesh’s focussed skilling and industry-aligned education initiatives. “The growth of Visakhapatnam as an IT hub is a direct reflection of the strength of our local talent and the ecosystem we are building around it. For years, our youth have powered global technology companies from across the world. Today, that same talent is choosing to build their careers here in Andhra Pradesh,” said Nara Lokesh, Minister for IT, Electronics &amp; Education. “Our vision is to create a vibrant, talent-first ecosystem where industry, academia, and government work in synergy. The expansion of Infosys in Visakhapatnam is a strong validation of this approach and reinforces our commitment to transforming Andhra Pradesh into a global hub for technology and innovation,” he added."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/d358df92-07e6-42ec-bcbb-f108073fa141_visakhapatnam.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-04-30T09:50:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"vizag-emerges-as-tech-hub"}},{"node":{"tags":["Trending"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Deepfakes, online violence driving women from public life"},"content":{"text":"A team of global researchers on Thursday said that deepfakes, AI-assisted rape and unwanted advances are pushing women out of public life.  The report by UN Women, City St George’s (University of London) and data forensic company TheNerve found that online violence against women in public life is becoming increasingly technologically sophisticated. “AI-assisted ‘virtual rape’ is now at the fingertips of perpetrators. This phenomenon accelerates the harm from online violence inflicted on women in public life. This violence serves to fuel the reversal of women’s hard-won rights in a climate of rising authoritarianism, democratic backsliding and networked misogyny,” said Julie Posetti, Professor of Journalism and Chair of the Centre for Journalism and Democracy at City St George’s. “The rollback of women’s rights is enabled and exacerbated by technologies which – by design –amplify misogynistic hate speech for profit,” added Posetti, project’s principal researcher and the report’s lead author. The report analysed the experiences of 641 women journalists and media workers, activists, and human rights’ defenders from 119 countries. The women were surveyed in late 2025, and the researchers concluded that 27 per cent of women respondents were targeted with unsolicited sexual advances via direct message, receiving unwanted intimate images, “cyberflashing”, sexual innuendos or nonconsensual sexting. About 12 per cent of respondents had their personal images, including those of an intimate nature, shared without their consent, and 6 per cent of respondents have been subjected to deepfakes or manipulated images and videos. These attacks were often deliberate and coordinated, aiming to silence women in public life while undermining their professional credibility and personal reputations, found the study. The impacts include an alarming rate of mental health diagnoses and self-censorship: Nearly one-quarter (24 per cent) of respondents have experienced anxiety and/or depression linked to online violence; 13 per cent reported being diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); and 41 per cent of respondents said they self-censored on social media to avoid being abused, and 19 per cent were self-censoring at work as a result. The study found that while 25 per cent of respondents had reported incidents of online violence to the police and 15 per cent had taken legal action, justice still eludes them. “The chilling effect of online violence is pushing women out of public life. Law enforcement is outsourcing the responsibility for protection to the survivors by telling women to remove themselves from social media, to avoid speaking publicly about controversial issues, to move into less visible roles at work, or to take leave from their respective careers,” said Co-author Lea Hellmueller, Associate Professor of Journalism, and Associate Dean for Research and Innovation at City St George’s."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/afMy1MBOoF08xfiW_deepfake.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-04-30T08:45:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"deepfakes-online-violence-driving-women-from-public-life"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"India emerges as top user base for ChatGPT Images 2.0"},"content":{"text":"Just a week after OpenAI rolled out ChatGPT Images 2.0, India has quickly become the platform’s largest user base, it was said on Thursday.  But beyond the numbers, what stands out is how Indian users are redefining the purpose of AI image generation -- turning it into a tool for creativity, identity, and digital storytelling. Unlike traditional expectations of AI as a productivity enhancer, users across India are embracing the new image model as a medium for self-expression. From anime-style portraits and cinematic headshots to fantasy newspaper covers and tarot-inspired visuals, the tool is rapidly becoming embedded in online culture, particularly among younger audiences experimenting with aesthetics and personal branding. The surge in popularity comes as ChatGPT Images 2.0 introduces significant technological upgrades. The model can generate highly detailed visuals from minimal prompts, render accurate text -- including multilingual inputs -- and handle complex creative instructions. It also incorporates reasoning capabilities, allowing it to interpret prompts more intelligently, generate multiple variations, and even draw on real-time web context to refine outputs. However, the real story lies in how people are using it. Indian users are pushing the boundaries of the tool, creating everything from polished LinkedIn-style headshots and paparazzi-inspired “flash” images to dreamy pastel “spring” aesthetics and fashion-focused “style me” transformations. Everyday photos are being reimagined with dramatic lighting, while older or low-quality images are being enhanced and restored with striking clarity. More experimental formats are also gaining traction. Users are designing fictional newspaper front pages starring themselves, generating mystical tarot card portraits, and even visualising futuristic architecture and interiors through “blueprint”-style prompts. Alongside these, country-specific trends like cinematic portrait collages and Y2K-inspired romantic edits are further shaping a uniquely Indian visual language within the platform. This shift signals a broader evolution in how AI tools are being integrated into daily life. In India, AI image generation is no longer confined to professional or technical use cases -- it is blending seamlessly with creator culture, fandoms, fashion, and social media identity."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/33b8a008-70f1-44f7-bbb3-5a18bec23150_chatgtp.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-04-30T08:35:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"india-emerges-as-top-user-base-for-chatgpt-images-2.0"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Anupama as Kandula Sulochana Rani in 'Bhogi'"},"content":{"text":"The makers of director Sampath Nandi's explosive action drama, 'Bhogi', featuring actor Sharwanand in the lead, on Friday, released the look of actress Anupama Parameswaran as Kandula Sulochana Rani in the film, much to the delight of fans and film buffs.  The poster released shows Anupama in a village belle avatar walking barefoot on a dusty rural path. She is seen carrying a large woven basket filled with green leaves on her head while holding more leaves in one hand and a tiffin box in the other. Her attire is rustic, an earthy half saree with a faded blouse, styled in a traditional manner. Her expression is intense and determined, hinting at a strong, hardworking character. Behind her, the backdrop shows a raw, authentic village setup with mud huts, wooden fences, and cattle. Sources say that Sulochana will be a spirited person who is deeply rooted in nature. Earning her livelihood by crafting leaf plates from Moduga leaves, the “Flame of the Forest” Sulochana embodies both resilience and quiet strength.  The makers had revealed on actor Sharwanand's birthday that he played a character called Ganga in the eagerly awaited action thriller. After shooting for major portions in some long key schedules, Team Bhogi has recently wrapped several high-intensity action sequences across Rajamahendravaram, and the forest regions of Rampachodavaram and Maredumilli. Preparations are currently underway for the next major schedule, set to commence in and around Hyderabad from the first week of May. 'Bhogi' also stars Dimple Hayathi playing the other lead role. Set in the early 1960s, 'Bhogi' is a pulsating period action drama unfolding in a fictional village along the borders of Telangana and Maharashtra. On the technical front, the project boasts an accomplished crew. Production design is by Kiran Kumar Manne, cinematography is by Kishore Kumar Arokia, and music is by Bheems Ceciroleo. Planned as a pan-India release, the movie will hit the big screens in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi on August 28, coinciding with the festive occasion of Raksha Bandhan."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/afM9JcBOoF08xfmJ_anupama.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-04-30T07:30:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"anupama-parameswaran-as-kandula-sulochana-rani-in-bhogi"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Ritika’s Soulmate Note for Rohit Sharma"},"content":{"text":"Rohit Sharma’s wife Ritika Sajdeh penned down a heartfelt message on his birthday as the Indian star turned 39, with wishes pouring in from fans, teammates, and well-wishers across the world.  Sharing an emotional note on Instagram, Ritika wrote, “Happy happy birthday, my Ro. I’ve spent every year saying you’re my best friend, my soulmate, and the best part of us, and this year is no different. To many more lifetimes of everything we have in this one and more.” A modern-day white-ball great, a two-time ICC title-winning captain and widely known as cricket’s ‘Hitman’, Rohit Sharma is celebrating his 39th birthday on Thursday. Since making his debut for India in 2007, Rohit has gradually built a remarkable career and established himself as one of the finest players of his generation. Under his leadership, India lifted two major ICC trophies, the T20 World Cup in 2024 and the Champions Trophy in 2025. Over the years, he has also created several records, including becoming the highest six-hitter in international cricket. At the franchise level, Rohit has enjoyed immense success as well, leading the Mumbai Indians to five Indian Premier League titles, further cementing his legacy as one of the most successful captains in the game. Cricket fraternity and fans around the world took to social media to celebrate his birthday. The Board of Control for Cricket in India celebrated his achievements, posting: “508 int’l matches, More than 20,000 int’l runs, ICC Men’s T20 WC 2007 winner, Winning Captain of ICC Men’s T20 WC 2024 and ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Here’s wishing #TeamIndia great Rohit Sharma @ImRo45 a very happy birthday.\" Shikhar Dhawan shared a birthday wish for his former opening partner. Dhawan and Rohit formed one of the most successful opening pairs for India, with the two featuring as two of India's standout performers in their ICC Champions Trophy-winning campaign. \"Happy Birthday @ImRo45, from opening together to all the laughs in between….always special. Have a great one, brother,\" He wrote on X. The Mumbai Indians posted on social media a reel wherein all their players were seen smearing cake on Rohit's face on his birthday. His wife, Ritika, was also part of the dressing room celebration. Suresh Raina shared a message for his former teammate. Calling him ‘brotherman’, Raina hailed Rohit as ‘one of the finest to ever play the game' in his birthday message. \"Happy Birthday, brotherman, @ImRo45. A true match-winner and one of the finest to ever play the game. Wishing you lots of success, happiness, and many more big knocks ahead! Have a great one, brother!\" He wrote on X. Irfan Pathan wrote, \"Wishing a very happy birthday to the leader who led from the front and earned the respect of his teammates.\" While Mohammad Shami posted on Instagram story and wrote, \"Many happy returns of the day bhai, May this year bring peace and success.\"   Rohit Sharma has retired from tests and T20Is but still represents the country in ODIs. He is currently participating in the IPL for the Mumbai Indians."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/afNAJMBOoF08xfoZ_rithikarohith.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-04-30T05:42:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"ritikas-soulmate-note-for-rohit-sharma"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Bipasha penned a note for her “most loving man"},"content":{"text":"As they complete a decade of marital bliss, actress Bipasha Basu penned a note for her “most loving man,” Karan Singh Grover, and said that she and their daughter Devi are the “luckiest girls.” Bipasha shared a slew of pictures from their decade-long journey. The images featured were from the day they got married, pictures from their vacation, and the moments the couple shared after welcoming Devi into the world. “10 Years of bliss with the most loving man. God knew what i needed the most. My life revolves around love and simplicity... the small moments ... little joys of life. And you make our life so full of it everyday. Thank you for being ours,” she wrote. Bipasha concluded: “Me &amp; Devi are the luckiest girls. Happy 10th Monkeyversary. @iamksgofficial.” Bipasha and Karan met on the sets of their 2014 film “Alone,” and it was love at first sight. They dated for two years and finally made their relationship official on April 30, 2016. Karan and Bipasha welcomed their first bundle of joy, Devi Basu Singh Grover, in 2022. The 47-yearold actress made her acting debut with the thriller Ajnabee in 2001. She was then seen in the erotic thriller Jism in 2003, followed by roles in two consecutive annual top-grossing films, No Entry in 2005 and Dhoom 2 in 2006. She shot to stardom with movies such as Corporate, the comedies Phir Hera Pheri and All the Best: Fun Begins, the thriller Race, and the romantic comedy Bachna Ae Haseeno. In the 2010s, she starred in the horror films Raaz 3D, Aatma, Creature 3D and Alone. After a long hiatus, she returned to the series “Dangerous” in 2020. The crime thriller also stars Karan, Sonali Raut, Natasha Suri, Suyyash Rai and Nitin Arora in key roles. She has been away from the screens for almost six years now. Regarding Karan, he is known for his work on television series such as Dill Mill Gayye and Qubool Hai. He has also appeared in Hindi films like Alone and Hate Story 3. The actor made a comeback to television with Kasautii Zindagii Kay 2, portraying the role of Mr. Rishabh Bajaj. That same year, he made his digital debut with BOSS: Baap of Special Services. In 2020, he featured in the action-thriller web series Dangerous, and in 2021, he appeared in Qubool Hai 2.0, the reboot of the original series. He was last seen in Fighter starring Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone and Anil Kapoor."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/ZzG72a8jQArT0q4__bipasha.jpg?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-04-30T04:18:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"bipasha-penned-a-note-for-her-most-loving-man"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Exit poll: TVK emerges as biggest challenger in TN"},"content":{"text":"Actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has emerged as the biggest challenger in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, even leading the tally in the latest Axis My India exit poll, signalling a dramatic shift in the state’s political landscape.  According to the survey, TVK is projected to win between 98 and 120 seats in the 234-member Assembly, putting it ahead of both the ruling DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance (DMK+) and the AIADMK-led alliance. The numbers suggest that Vijay’s party could either emerge as the single largest force or play a decisive role in government formation. The DMK+ is estimated to secure between 92 and 110 seats, placing Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s alliance in a close second position. While the ruling front remains competitive, the projections indicate that it may struggle to cross the majority mark of 118 on its own. Meanwhile, the AIADMK-led alliance (AIADMK+), which includes the BJP and other partners, is forecast to win only 22 to 32 seats, marking a sharp decline and pushing it to a distant third position in the contest. The exit poll, based on a comprehensive survey of 44,460 respondents across all 234 constituencies, also points to a near-equal vote share battle between TVK and the DMK+. Both are projected to secure around 35 per cent of the vote share, while the AIADMK+ is expected to trail with about 23 per cent. A deeper look into voter trends reveals that TVK has made substantial inroads among younger voters, particularly first-time voters aged 18–19, where it commands overwhelming support. In contrast, the DMK+ continues to draw strength from older voter segments, indicating a generational divide in political preferences. Adding to TVK’s momentum, actor Vijay has emerged as the most preferred Chief Ministerial candidate, securing 37 per cent support, narrowly ahead of M.K. Stalin at 35 per cent. AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami trails with 22 per cent, reflecting the shifting political mood in the state. The survey also underlines a strong appetite for change among voters, with 35 per cent citing it as the key reason for their choice — a sentiment that appears to have worked in favour of TVK’s rise. With no alliance comfortably crossing the majority mark, the projections suggest a highly competitive and potentially fragmented mandate. As Tamil Nadu awaits the official results on May 4, the Axis My India exit poll indicates that the 2026 election could mark the beginning of a new political era in the state."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/afJJ7cBOoF08xcY6_TVKVijay.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-04-29T16:21:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"exit-poll-tvk-emerges-as-biggest-challenger-in-tn"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Bengal: Exit polls show tight contest, BJP slightly ahead"},"content":{"text":"Majority of the exit polls conducted by reported agencies on the two-phase Assembly polls in West Bengal have predicted a neck-and-neck battle between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, but are hinting at the possibility of the end of the 15-year-long Mamata Banerjee-led regime and the beginning of saffron rule in the state. According to the exit poll survey of P-MARQ, while the Bharatiya Janata Party is expected to win from 150 to 175 Assembly constituencies, the same survey is showing the Trinamool Congress tally between 118 and 138, and others, including Congress and the Left Front–All India Secular Front alliance, between two and six. On the other hand, the exit poll survey of P Matrize shows the Bharatiya Janata Party’s tally between 146 and 161, that of the Trinamool Congress between 125 and 140, and others between six and ten. According to the exit poll survey of Chanakya Strategies, while the Bharatiya Janata Party is expected to win from 150 to 160 Assembly constituencies, the same survey is showing the Trinamool Congress tally between 130 and 140, and others between six and ten. People’s Pulse kept the Trinamool Congress’s tally ahead between 178 and 189, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s tally between 96 and 110, and others between one and four. Similarly, the Janmat exit poll survey suggests the ruling Trinamool Congress could return to power with a comfortable majority. The Janmat polling survey kept the Trinamool Congress’s tally ahead with a comfortable majority between 195 and 205, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s tally between 80 and 90, and others between two and three. On the other hand, Praja Polls again had kept the Bharatiya Janata Party well ahead between 178 and 208, followed by the Trinamool Congress between 85 and 110, and others between two and three. Similarly, Poll Diary exit polls kept the Bharatiya Janata Party ahead between 142 and 171, the Trinamool Congress between 99 and 127, and others between five and nine. The exit poll by JV is the only survey hinting towards a hung Assembly in West Bengal this time, projecting the Bharatiya Janata Party’s tally between 138 and 159, the Trinamool Congress between 131 and 152, and others between zero and two."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/a1bdcf44-55d9-4352-8b46-deb0906b08bc_bjp.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-04-29T16:05:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"bengal-exit-polls-show-tight-contest-bjp-slightly-ahead"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"TS acquires Hyd Metro Rail from L&T"},"content":{"text":"The Telangana government on Wednesday formally acquired Hyderabad Metro Rail Phase I from Larsen &amp; Toubro Limited for Rs 1,461 crore.  The state government signed a share purchase agreement with Larsen &amp; Toubro Limited and L&amp;T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Limited (LTMRHL) for the acquisition of 100 per cent equity shares of LTMRHL at an equity value of Rs 1,461.47 crore. The state government had last year decided to take over Hyderabad Metro Rail Phase I through the Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL). The agreement was signed in the presence of the Chief Secretary and HMRL Chairman, K. Ramakrishna Rao, Special Chief Secretary, Municipal Affairs and Urban Development, Jayesh Ranjan, HMRL Managing Director, Sarfaraz Ahmad, and senior management of L&amp;T and LTMRHL. The share purchase agreement was signed by Ahmad on behalf of the HMRL, D.K. Sen on behalf of the L&amp;T Ltd, and KVB Reddy on behalf of the LTMRHL. According to a statement by the HMRL, the debt of LTMRHL, amounting to Rs 13,538.53 crore, as on April 30, which was guaranteed by L&amp;T, shall now be refinanced with a guarantee issued by the Telangana government. The transaction advisor is IDBI Capital, and the legal advisory services were provided by Saraf &amp; Partners. In this context, Larsen &amp; Toubro (L&amp;T) Chairman and Managing Director, S.N. Subrahmanyan, called upon Chief Minister Revanth Reddy earlier in the day. L&amp;T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Limited has been operating Hyderabad Metro Rail Phase I, spanning three corridors with a total network length of 69 km, since November 2017. The system currently serves an average daily ridership of approximately 4.5 lakh passengers and has logged in about 86 crore passenger trips since its inception. The acquisition of Hyderabad Metro Rail Phase I will enable closer strategic alignment between the existing Phase I and the proposed Phase II network, fostering seamless integration in planning, execution, and service delivery. This unified approach is expected to strengthen and support the creation of a more cohesive, reliable, and commuter-friendly metro network for Hyderabad, a statement said."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/ZvmS5bVsGrYSwHBR_metrohyd.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-04-29T14:30:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"ts-acquires-hyd-metro-rail-from-lt"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"KTR slams RR for ‘sadistic pleasure’ remark"},"content":{"text":"Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K. T. Rama Rao on Wednesday condemned Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy over his reported remark that he derives “sadistic pleasure” when opposition parties criticise him. Addressing a gathering at Telangana Bhavan, KTR termed the reported statement as “shameful” and accused the Chief Minister of being insensitive to public suffering. He said that people across the state, distressed by what he described as failures of the Congress government over the past two-and-a-half years, are voicing their anger, but the Chief Minister appears to be celebrating such criticism instead of addressing issues. KTR questioned whether the Chief Minister feels no remorse over the reported deaths of 140 Gurukul students and alleged that the government has failed to ensure basic responsibilities, such as uninterrupted power supply and timely disbursal of Rythu Bandhu benefits. He also highlighted the plight of farmers, stating that paddy is lying exposed to the rains on roads while procurement remains stalled. “People from all sections are suffering. When the opposition raises these concerns, the Chief Minister, calling it a source of pleasure, reflects a disturbing mindset,” KTR said, adding that the public would ultimately judge such leadership. Earlier in the day, several leaders from different political parties in Kalwakurthy constituency joined the BRS in the presence of KTR. On the education front, KTR alleged that pending fee reimbursement dues have pushed students into uncertainty, with many colleges reportedly withholding certificates and restricting attendance. Referring to a recent High Court direction permitting institutions to collect dues from parents, he said students’ futures were being jeopardised. KTR noted that the fee reimbursement scheme, originally introduced during the tenure of former Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, was continued effectively during the BRS government, but is now being neglected. He further alleged that crop procurement across the state has nearly come to a standstill, with farmers unable to sell paddy, maize and jowar. He accused the government of deliberately delaying procurement processes to avoid paying bonuses. Reaffirming the party’s stance, KTR said BRS has consistently stood with the people for 25 years, both in power and in opposition, and will continue to fight for public issues and aspirations."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aCdYZSdWJ-7kSOvc_KTR.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-04-29T14:02:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"ktr-slams-rr-for-sadistic-pleasure-remark"}},{"node":{"tags":["Videos"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"'Drishyam 3' teaser"},"content":{"text":"'Drishyam 3' teaser"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aS8L8HNYClf9ntXj_drishyam3.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-04-29T13:37:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVH0umuNU-k"}},"uid":"drishyam-3-teaser"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Nana Patekar shells major fitness goals at 76"},"content":{"text":"Not just in acting, Nana Patekar can give any of his young contemporaries a run for their money when it comes to fitness as well.  On Wednesday, photographer and producer Atul Kasbekar took to his official Instagram handle and uploaded a video of the veteran actor nailing 15 consecutive tricep dips, that too without breaking a sweat. The clip dropped by Atul on the photo-sharing app showed Nana wearing tan shorts, paired with a white baniyan, with a gamcha wrapped around his neck.  He was seen flawlessly executing the tricep dips, even smiling at the end. Applauding Nana for shelling major fitness goals even at this age, Atul wrote the caption, “A-Ho Nana Sahebbb…!!! You just made me reset my fitness goals!!! That’s #NanaPatekar ji. He’s 76. That’s him cranking out tricep dips on the bars. He did 15 (I started recording late). (sic)”. Explaining why he could not get all 15 dips on video, he added. “I’m slow on the draw some days,”  “But…Back to Nana Saheb. What. A. Legend,\" concluded Atul. Many members from the film fraternity, such as Shilpa Shetty, Viineet Kumar Siingh, and Rahul Dev, shared fire and red heart emoticons in the comment section, showing their appreciation. Some of the Instagram users also referred to Nana's beloved character, Uday Shetty from the 'Welcome' franchise. They shared comments like “Control Uday Control”, and “Uday bhai still looking fit.” Shifting our focus to Nana's 2025 releases, he was a part of \"Housefull 5\" co-starring Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan, and Riteish Deshmukh, along with others. Additionally, he was also seen as a cop in Vishal Bhardwaj's recent release \"O'Romeo\", which saw Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri in the lead.  He also did a cameo appearance in Anil Kapoor and Radhika Madan starrer \"Subedaar\"."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/afJK88BOoF08xcZS_nana.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-04-29T13:16:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"nana-patekar-shells-major-fitness-goals-at-76"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Fuel Rush Triggers Chaos in Hyderabad"},"content":{"text":"The streets of Hyderabad experienced a dramatic uproar as panic buying swept across the city in response to unfounded rumors of a fuel shortage. Early reports indicated long queues forming at petrol stations throughout Banjara Hills, Madhapur, and parts of the Old City, as motorists scrambled to fill their tanks in anticipation of a supply crisis. The chaotic scenes prompted law enforcement to intervene, deploying officers and erecting barricades to manage the surging crowds and ensure order amidst the frenzy. Despite the palpable tension, fuel supply remained stable, as officials and petrol station dealers consistently reassured the public that there was no impending crisis. Hitesh Aggarwal, a petrol pump manager, emphasized the sufficiency of stock, stating, \"Tankers are arriving on schedule. This is purely panic buying. People should not believe rumors.\" By midday, the influx of consumers began to wane, and although queues persisted, the situation was showing signs of normalization with continued police oversight to prevent overcrowding. This rapid escalation of panic buying can be traced back to a cycle of misinformation that often plagues large urban centers. The Telangana Petroleum Dealers Association highlighted that the sudden spike in demand led to some stations temporarily running low on supplies, exacerbating the fears among commuters. Vinod Vishwanath, the Association's general secretary, clarified that additional fuel supplies would be dispatched to rectify the situation, reiterating that the panic was fueled not by a genuine shortage, but by the rumors circulating within the community. Many residents expressed frustration over the recurring nature of such crises, highlighting the need for authorities to address the root cause of public anxiety. Daily wage worker Mohd Owais from Nampally observed, \"People see queues and assume fuel is running out,\" stressing the importance of clear communication from officials to mitigate such panic. In a bid to manage the situation further, some stations instituted temporary caps on fuel sales, but officials quickly affirmed that the actual supply remained robust, with the overwhelming demand being the main culprit behind the chaos."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/acO52JGXnQHGY8mK_petrolbunks.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-04-29T10:57:46+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"fuel-frenzy-hyderabads-panic-buying-sparks-temporary-chaos-mojxy6w6"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Ghostly Comedy Comes Alive in Bhooth Bangla"},"content":{"text":"Reviving the beloved horror-comedy genre, ‘Bhooth Bangla’ presents a delightful reunion of actor Akshay Kumar and director Priyadarshan, capturing both chills and chuckles in a narrative that intertwines humor with the paranormal. Set against the backdrop of a family wedding, the film follows the hapless Arjun Acharya, played with charm and wit by Kumar, whose life takes a turn when he discovers an ancestral property fraught with sinister secrets. The film's clever premise serves as a canvas for exploring deeper themes of familial ties and the human spirit, all while keeping audiences engaged with its comedic elements and suspenseful twists. With a rating of 4 Moons, this cinematic venture promises to resonate with both horror fans and comedy lovers alike. The plot thickens as Arjun and his sister Meera, portrayed by Mithila Palkar, seek a picturesque location for her wedding, only to find themselves ensnared in the haunted village of Mangalpur. The village's notorious curse, tied to a malevolent entity known as 'Vadhusur', sets the stage for a thrilling exploration of both frights and laughter. As Arjun grapples with the dire implications of hosting a wedding in such an ominous setting, the film artfully juxtaposes ghostly encounters with comedic relief, drawing on Kumar’s impeccable timing and the ensemble cast's chemistry. The narrative deftly navigates through the initial shocks, leading to an emotional core embedded within its horror tropes, ensuring viewers are both entertained and moved. Priyadarshan, known for his mastery in the realm of comedy, successfully channels his signature style into ‘Bhooth Bangla’, evoking nostalgia while also crafting a fresh experience for audiences. His direction shines through in the film's vibrant visuals and engaging dialogues, reminiscent of the golden age of Hindi cinema where humor was born from genuine situations rather than mere noise. As the film revisits iconic moments from past hits like 'Bhagam Bhag', it creates a familiar yet invigorating atmosphere that appeals to long-time fans and newcomers alike, reaffirming his relevance in contemporary filmmaking. A notable highlight of ‘Bhooth Bangla’ is the film's musical score, which features catchy numbers such as ‘O Sundari’ and ‘Ram Ji Aake Bhala Karenge’. These songs not only enhance the lighthearted tone but also seamlessly integrate into the storyline, ensuring that the audience remains captivated throughout the film. With the late Asrani's poignant performance serving as a touching tribute, combined with stellar contributions from Tabu, Paresh Rawal, and Rajpal Yadav, the film encapsulates a rich tapestry of humor and heart, making it a must-watch for families seeking entertainment in the supernatural."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aeZCB8BOoF08xJFS_bhoothbangla.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-04-29T10:20:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"ghostly-laughter-awaits-akshay-kumar-priyadarshans-bhooth-bangla-strikes-a-chord-mojxy9yy"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Jailed Darshan approaches SC for bail"},"content":{"text":"Citing delays in the examination of evidence, jailed actor Darshan, who is Accused number 2 in the sensational murder case of a fan Renukaswamy, has approached the Supreme Court seeking bail.  Darshan has filed a fresh bail petition before the Supreme Court, citing delays in the examination of evidence in the case. The petition was submitted on April 14. He has further stated that the apex court had earlier directed the trial court to expedite the proceedings. However, the trial has been delayed and may take more than a year to conclude. In this context, Darshan has submitted that he has cooperated with the investigation and trial proceedings so far. Earlier, the Supreme Court had cancelled the bail granted to Darshan by the Karnataka High Court. Following the apex court’s order, he was re-arrested on August 14 last year. He is currently lodged in Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bengaluru. As his bail granted by the High Court was cancelled by the Supreme Court, Darshan has approached the apex court directly this time. The matter is likely to come up for hearing in the Supreme Court next week. It can be recalled that the gruesome murder of Darshan’s fan, Renukaswamy, took place on June 8, 2024 in Bengaluru. Renukaswamy was kidnapped from his hometown, Chitradurga, brought to Bengaluru, kept in a shed, and tortured to death. After the murder, his body was thrown into a canal. The incident came to light after the security personnel of a private apartment building saw the body being dragged by a pack of dogs. The 3,991-page chargesheet submitted by Bengaluru Police to the court in connection with the case has revealed that the victim, Renukaswamy, had asked superstar Darshan's girlfriend Pavithra Gowda to have a secret live-in relationship with him. Police sources stated that the investigation revealed that Darshan repeatedly kicked Renukaswamy in the chest, resulting in the breaking of his chest bones. Afterwards, Darshan picked him up and flung him into a truck, causing a severe head injury. Then, showing the private part photo sent to Pavithra Gowda, Darshan kicked him in his private parts, causing the victim to lose consciousness. Darshan, Pavithra Gowda and 15 others were arrested on June 11 on charges of kidnapping and brutally murdering Renukaswamy from Chitradurga. Darshan was shifted to Ballari prison after photos of ‘royal treatment’ for him at the Bengaluru Central Prison surfaced. He is facing three FIRs in this connection. The Supreme Court had cancelled the bail of Darshan, Pavithra Gowda and others. He is currently lodged at the Bengaluru Central Prison."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/ZmlqwJm069VX1qmy_darshan.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-04-29T09:39:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"jailed-darshan-approaches-sc-for-bail"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"YSRCP leader Srihari arrested again"},"content":{"text":"YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) General Secretary (Media), Pudi Srihari, has been arrested once again for an allegedly abusive social media post targeting Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.  Police from Kuppam town arrested him in Bengaluru on Wednesday. He was being brought to Kuppam. The arrest came a day after the Supreme Court declined to intervene in Andhra Pradesh High Court’s order, suspending the remand rejection order of the trial court. Srihari, who served as Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) to then Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, had approached the Supreme Court, apprehending arrest after the High Court suspended the remand rejection order given by the trial court in Kuppam. Srihari was arrested on April 15 in Vijayawada in the case registered against him over making objectionable social media posts with morphed images of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. He was subsequently shifted to Kuppam, where the case was registered against him and another YSRCP functionary Girish Kumar Reddy. Srihari was produced before the trial court on April 16. He was released after the court rejected the petition by the police to send him to judicial remand. Later, the High Court suspended the order of the trial court. The matter was scheduled for further hearing in the High Court on Wednesday. However, apprehending his arrested Srihari approached the Supreme Court which declined to intervene in the High Court order. Arguing the case on behalf of Srihari, senior counsel S. Niranjan Reddy had stated that the police created false evidence against him. He also submitted to the Supreme Court that the High Court did not consider discrepancies pointed out by them during the hearing. Senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi, who appeared for the state government, argued that there is no need for any interim order as the High Court is scheduled to hear the case. Srihari had denied creating, posting or forwarding the content in question. He said he had worked as a senior journalist for over 25 years and had always functioned within the limits of the law. He maintained that even as a political leader, he continued to follow the ethics of journalism and respected the law."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/ad9lTZ1ZCF7ETNPs_sridhar.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-04-29T09:32:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"ysrcp-leader-srihari-arrested-again"}},{"node":{"tags":["Editorial"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"WB- Record Turnout: Missing The Larger Picture?"},"content":{"text":"“Knowledge is knowing tomato is a fruit, wisdom is not adding it in a fruit salad” While funny, this simple line of Miles Kingston, a British Journalist, highlights a critical truth: knowing facts is one thing, but knowing how to use them is what actually matters. It suggests that true wisdom is the ability to apply information correctly in different situations, mirroring the philosophy of Pythagoras, who believed numbers weren't just for counting but were tools to understand the hidden order of the world. Today, we see this gap when pollsters fail to look beyond raw data. For example, when pollsters tried to predict election results in West Bengal based only on voter turnout numbers, they may have missed the \"wisdom\" of the bigger picture, proving that without context, even the best data can lead to a very strange \"fruit salad\". The 2026 West Bengal Assembly polls saw a massive 90% turnout, but seasoned observers are questioning the Election Commission’s \"historic\" label. Pundits argue the surge is a mathematical illusion caused by a \"purged\" voter list; with so many names axed during the Special Intensive Revision, the percentage naturally climbed without a real spike in raw numbers. While most pollsters are calling this a \"wave election\" signalling Paribartan (change), in contrast to the past experiences that mirrored the principle that high participation doesn't always equal anti-incumbency, and it also points to a question whether those predicting a “Wave Election” had taken into account whether there is any clear shift in voter sentiment. If not the \"surge\" may just be business as usual rather than a mandate for a new government. In other words, observers argue that without analysing whether there is clear evidence of a shift in voter sentiment, the high turnout percentage may not represent an anti-incumbency \"wave\" but rather a statistical anomaly based on a smaller, revised voter denominator. Critics of the \"Special Intensive Revision\", or what detractors are calling \"System Initiated Rigging\", argue that pollsters are missing the real story. It remains unclear if voters were driven by standard anti-incumbency or a deeper, accumulated anger over being denied their basic democratic rights. No doubt, anti-incumbency against Mamata Banerjee’s 15-year administration is palpable across West Bengal. On the ground, voters frequently cited concerns over a lack of jobs, persistent political violence, corruption and claims of minority appeasement. At the same time, the BJP has pulled out all the stops, with critics describing their aggressive tactics as putting the \"election under siege.\" A major flashpoint is the mass removal of voters from the rolls under the label of \"logical discrepancies,\" a move many claim specifically targeted those unlikely to vote for the BJP. The state remains the \"final frontier\" for the BJP, a state that has historically been an ideological stronghold against them. After decades on the sidelines, the party sees the current anti-incumbency as their best shot to finally break through. A victory here wouldn't just be a win; it would be a major ideological trophy, completing their dominance across the country from west to east. To secure this, critics claim the party has aggressively influenced every stage of the process, from purging voter lists and reshuffling officials to controlling security deployments. Between inflammatory speeches and controversial government cash transfers, the Election Commission also faced heat for allegedly clearing the path for a BJP victory. Thanks to SIR, which unfairly excluded the non-BJP voters, the Hindutva party heads into the West Bengal polls with an unfair but significant advantage provided by the Election Commission. The question now calls for the “Tomato” wisdom. The above narrative explains the information that is available that could give a simple explanation to predict that the higher percentage, the SIR factor including the anti-incumbency, is for the advantage of the BJP. What if the fears of losing citizenship rights significantly impacted the BJP's and whether this panic translated into a consolidated vote for the Trinamool Congress (TMC) as a \"protective\" shield. It’s not known whether the voting pattern is influenced by the ‘identity and dignity” rather than the legality of the voters. Has the polarization helped the BJP in specific pockets or the overwhelming fear of losing citizenship led to a higher turnout among groups that felt targeted, effectively neutralizing the BJP's gains. Whether SIR, what was intended to be a defining nationalist masterstroke became a potent mobilization tool for the opposition, as the existential threat of losing one's legal status proved more motivating than the BJP's promises of refugee naturalization. In a nutshell, the exit predictions echo the “Tomato” wisdom, where they fail to explain whether the high turnout has reflected a struggle for identity and political survival rather than a straightforward mandate for change, potentially neutralizing BJP gains. Fingers crossed."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/afHbG8BOoF08xaaG_modimamata.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-04-29T09:19:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"wb--record-turnout-missing-the-larger-picture"}}]},"featured":{"edges":[{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Why Preity Wouldn’t Call a Co-Star in Trouble"},"content":{"text":"Actress Preity Zinta had once revealed why she would not call actor Saif Ali Khan in a time of crisis.  During her appearance on the second season of the reality chat show, \"Koffee with Karan\", Preity shared that Saif had sent her a funny message while she was stuck in the Tsunami, facing a near-death experience. When host Karan Johar asked the 'Veer-Zaara' actress, \"Who is the last person from the film industry you would think of in the following situation? If you were kidnapped, who is the last person you would call?\" Responding to the question, Preity named Saif.  Sharing the reason, Preity went on to explain, \"Because I was in the tsunami and I had the worst experience of my life , and he sends me a message going, \"Hey, PZ, underwater or what?\" I was just like, \"Ah! What kind of a guy is he?\"\". For those who do not know, a massive tsunami struck the coasts of the Indian Ocean on December 26, 2004, resulting in a loss of more than 2,30,000 people in around 14 countries.  Preity, who was holidaying with her friends in Phuket at the time, was also stuck in the natural disaster. She has spoken about the traumatic experience on several occasions. It must also be noted that Preity has shared screen space with Saif in not one but two praiseworthy dramas, \"Kal Ho Naa Ho\" and \"Salaam Namaste\". Their natural chemistry was highly palpable in both these dramas. Up next, Preity is gearing up to make her comeback to the big screen with \"Lahore 1947\". Directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, the project will see Sunny Deol as the lead, along with Shabana Azmi, Ali Fazal, and Abhimanyu Singh in significant roles. Backed by Bollywood actor Aamir Khan, \"Lahore 1947\" has been set against the backdrop of the partition of India."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/Z_jsz-vxEdbNO5qz_preity.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-05-01T09:30:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"why-preity-wouldnt-call-a-co-star-in-trouble"}}]},"politics":{"edges":[{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Was Mamata Nervous Before Poll Results?"},"content":{"text":"Baratiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs on Friday claimed that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has \"panicked\" before the Assembly election results on May 4 and is looking for an \"excuse\" for defeat.  The response came after the Bengal CM, on Thursday night, stormed the Sakhawat Memorial Government Girls High School, the venue for a strong-room storing the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) for the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency in South Kolkata and stayed there past midnight, alleging EVM tampering. BJP national spokesperson Syed Shahnawaz Hussain remarked that the Trinamool Congress is \"panicking\" due to the fear of defeat. \"In panic and confusion, they are going to the strong room. The public has already made its decision. The Bharatiya Janata Party is going to come with full strength,\" he told. He mentioned that the exit polls too have given an edge to the BJP. Hussain also echoed: \"Trinamool Congress is looking for an excuse. It wants to blame the Election Commission for its defeat.\" BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla called the Trinamool Congress members as \"people belonging to mafia culture\". He said, \"Trinamool has adopted the triple D approach. Denial, Diversion and Drama. They are even threatening people now. The party leaders also abuse the Constitutional establishments like the Election Commission. Poonawalla referred to a viral video in which Trinamool MP Kalyan Banerjee is purportedly heard making objectionable remarks against Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He said, \"More than the exit polls, his statement is proof that Trinamool is going to exit.\" Bihar BJP President Sanjay Saraogi termed Banerjee's visit to the strong room as her \"frustration\". \"It is coming across as if she (Banerjee) is also losing from Bhabanipur. The kind of activity she is doing, even the law does not approve of that. Panic is clearly visible on her face. People used to call Bihar as 'Jungle Raj', but for the past 15 years, there has been 'Maha Jungle Raj' in Bengal. People are fed up there,\" he said. About the exit polls, he said: \"Most of them have given the BJP an edge, which is why she is more panicked.\" BJP leader Dilip Ghosh said that the losing side seems to have no other \"excuse left\". \"After ruling for 15 years, if a party is now doing politics over SIR and strong rooms, what does that indicate? It suggests the party has already accepted defeat and is now searching for some excuse,\" he told reporters. BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal accused CM Banerjee of not taking responsibility for her actions. \"She (Banerjee) has lost the election, and the people have shown her the way out of Bengal, so she is blaming EVMs,\" he said."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad%2F5aaa6dd1-fbd0-4a41-a9a2-38108ebb236c_mamata.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C7%2C1200%2C592&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-01T08:49:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"was-mamata-nervous-before-poll-results"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"C.V. Anand takes charge as T'gana DGP"},"content":{"text":"With the Maoist problem almost eliminated, Telangana Police will revamp the department to focus on new areas of crime, said new Director General of Police C. V. Anand on Friday. He told a press conference after taking charge as the state police chief that the functioning of the department will be reviewed, and some areas will be revamped. He pointed out that in the 1980s and 1990s, certain wings like Greyhounds and Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) were created to tackle the Naxal problem. “Now that the Maoist problem is almost eliminated, it’s not correct to continue the personnel,” he said. While stating that the chances of revival of the Maoist movement are remote, the DGP said they would take all precautions to make sure that the problem does not arise again. He emphasised the need for innovative thinking and redeployment of the personnel to tackle new problems. Anand said some units, which are very important but were not given proper attention or sufficient manpower due to a lack of staff in the past, would be strengthened. Referring to vacancies, the DGP said the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister told the department to focus on revamp by identifying unnecessary attachments and unnecessary deployments. Stating that road safety would be one of the top priorities, Anand said the Traffic Management and Road Safety Bureau will be created on the lines of the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) and Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement (EAGLE) established in recent years. He said the proposed body would work to standardise traffic management practices and ensure uniformity in the implementation of traffic rules across the state to prevent accidents and reduce the number of fatalities. He noted that every year, 8,500 people die in road accidents across the state. Highlighting the magnitude of the traffic problem, he said every day 1,600 new vehicles are coming on the roads in four commissionerates in Greater Hyderabad. Stating that Telangana Police emerged as the number one police in the country with revolutionary changes and innovation in all sectors in recent years, Anand said under his leadership, it would continue its journey in the same direction by using the latest technology. Saying that while Telangana Police have a good record in maintaining law and order, he acknowledged that in a few places, the failure of the field-level officials to anticipate communal incidents and other law and order issues was creating problems. “My effort will be to see that all officials improve this quality,” he said. Appreciating the work being done by TGCSB in tackling cybercrimes, he underlined the need for the active participation of field-level officers, Superintendents, Police and Commissioners of Police. The DGP said narcotics control would be one of his top priorities. While noting that EAGLE and Hyderabad Narcotics Enforcement Wing (H-NE) were doing commendable work, he stated that all SPs should also conduct anti-narcotics operations. Anand said that to prevent the drug menace in school and college campuses, the department would focus on awareness. Anti-drugs committees in educational institutions will be activated with the involvement of education and other departments. Earlier, senior police officials extended a warm welcome to Anand upon his arrival at the DGP office. The newly-appointed DGP received a guard of honour from the police and later assumed charge as the head of the police force."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/afRxcsBOoF08xiDg_CVAnandDGP.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-01T08:30:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"c.v.-anand-takes-charge-as-tgana-dgp"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"EC approves TRS as name of Kavitha's new party"},"content":{"text":"The Election Commission of India has approved Telangana Rakshana Sena (TRS) as the name of Kalvakuntla Kavitha’s new political party.   Kavitha’s office said on Thursday that the Central Election Commission has officially given the TRS name to Kavitha. It said officials handed over a letter granting permission to the party at Kavitha's residence in Banjara Hills here. Kavitha had, last week, launched the new political party as Telangana Rashtra Sena (TRS). However, the ECI approved the name Telangana Rakshana Sena (TRS). The Election Commission is reported to have declined approval for Telangana Rashtra Sena as this will be almost similar to Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), the earlier name of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). Kavitha, however, was keen on the acronym TRS as it was a household name during the Telangana movement. She formally launched her TRS on April 25, more than six months after resigning from the BRS following her suspension from the party led by her father and former Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR), at a public meeting at Muneerabad in Medchal Malkajgiri district near here. Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) was launched by KCR in 2001 to revive the movement for a separate state of Telangana. It became the BRS in 2022 as the party planned to expand itself to other parts of the country. Kavitha picked the acronym 'TRS' at a time when the BRS is seriously considering the proposal to revert to the TRS, as the party leaders believe that the party lost connect with the people due to the name change and as a result lost power in 2023 and drew a blank in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. At the launch event, Kavitha had criticised KCR and her brother and BRS Working President K. T. Rama Rao (KTR). Also stating that KCR is no longer the same person, she accused him of not standing with people, especially farmers and the poor, in times of distress. Reacting to Kavitha’s party, KTR stated on April 27 that political parties come and go. \"Parties come and go. There is no need to pay much attention to it,\" he said while replying to queries at a press conference."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/afONO8BOoF08xg_H_TRSKavitha.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-04-30T14:15:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"ec-approves-trs-as-name-of-kavithas-new-party"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"YSRCP leader Srihari gets bail"},"content":{"text":"A court in Andhra Pradesh’s Chittoor district on Thursday granted bail to YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) General Secretary (Media), Pudi Srihari, who was arrested on Wednesday for an allegedly abusive social media post targeting Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.  Police arrested him in Bengaluru early on Wednesday morning. He was brought to Kuppam, where he was produced before the Additional Junior Civil Judge Court on Thursday. After hearing arguments from both sides, the court granted bail to Srihari. YSRCP General Secretary (legal cell) and former Advocate General, P. Sudhakar Reddy, said the police arrested Srihari at 5.45 A.M. but told the court that he was arrested at 11.45 P.M. Sudhakar Reddy said that the YSRCP has full faith in the judiciary and will continue its fight against false cases. Srihari was arrested a day after the Supreme Court declined to intervene in Andhra Pradesh High Court’s order, suspending the remand rejection order of the trial court. Srihari, who served as Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) to then Chief Minister, Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, had approached the Supreme Court, apprehending arrest after the High Court suspended the remand rejection order given by the trial court in Kuppam. Srihari was arrested on April 15 in Vijayawada in the case registered against him over making objectionable social media posts with morphed images of Chief Minister Naidu. He was subsequently shifted to Kuppam, where the case was registered against him and another YSRCP functionary Girish Kumar Reddy. Srihari was produced before the trial court on April 16. He was released after the court rejected the petition by the police to send him to judicial remand. Later, the High Court suspended the order of the trial court. Srihari has already denied creating, posting or forwarding the content in question. He said he had worked as a senior journalist for over 25 years and had always functioned within the limits of the law. He maintained that even as a political leader, he continued to follow the ethics of journalism and respected the law."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/afM-IsBOoF08xfms_sridharycp.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-04-30T11:25:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"ysrcp-leader-srihari-gets-bail"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Vizag Emerges as Tech Hub"},"content":{"text":"The Andhra Pradesh government’s talent-driven ecosystem has positioned Visakhapatnam as an emerging IT growth hub, officials said on Thursday.  Through progressive policies such as IT & GCC (Information Technology & Global Capability Centres) and LIFT (Land Incentive for Tech Hubs), coupled with industry-academia collaboration, robust infrastructure support, and employee-friendly urban mobility solutions, the state has created an enabling environment for IT companies to scale seamlessly, they said. The ecosystem-led approach is helping reverse the long-standing trend of talent migration, positioning Visakhapatnam not just as a source of skilled professionals, but as a destination where global companies can build and retain high-quality teams. Visakhapatnam is rapidly emerging as one of India’s most promising IT destinations, powered by a strong local talent base and a maturing ecosystem that is increasingly attracting global technology investments. Reinforcing this trend, Infosys has been allotted 20 acres of land in Vizag to set up a 7,000-seater facility, said a government release. Over the last two years, Infosys has scaled its workforce in Visakhapatnam from 250 employees in early 2024 to nearly 1,900 currently, with an additional 750 seats set to become operational in the near term. The company has also outlined plans for a permanent 20-acre campus, with a long-term seating capacity of 7,000 professionals - demonstrating strong confidence in the region’s long-term potential. According to the official release, a defining feature of this growth is the deep integration with the local talent ecosystem. The Visakhapatnam campus has recruited over 1,000 freshers and 500 lateral hires from the region, reflecting the availability of industry-ready talent and the success of Andhra Pradesh’s focussed skilling and industry-aligned education initiatives. “The growth of Visakhapatnam as an IT hub is a direct reflection of the strength of our local talent and the ecosystem we are building around it. For years, our youth have powered global technology companies from across the world. Today, that same talent is choosing to build their careers here in Andhra Pradesh,” said Nara Lokesh, Minister for IT, Electronics &amp; Education. “Our vision is to create a vibrant, talent-first ecosystem where industry, academia, and government work in synergy. The expansion of Infosys in Visakhapatnam is a strong validation of this approach and reinforces our commitment to transforming Andhra Pradesh into a global hub for technology and innovation,” he added."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/d358df92-07e6-42ec-bcbb-f108073fa141_visakhapatnam.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-04-30T09:50:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"vizag-emerges-as-tech-hub"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"India emerges as top user base for ChatGPT Images 2.0"},"content":{"text":"Just a week after OpenAI rolled out ChatGPT Images 2.0, India has quickly become the platform’s largest user base, it was said on Thursday.  But beyond the numbers, what stands out is how Indian users are redefining the purpose of AI image generation -- turning it into a tool for creativity, identity, and digital storytelling. Unlike traditional expectations of AI as a productivity enhancer, users across India are embracing the new image model as a medium for self-expression. From anime-style portraits and cinematic headshots to fantasy newspaper covers and tarot-inspired visuals, the tool is rapidly becoming embedded in online culture, particularly among younger audiences experimenting with aesthetics and personal branding. The surge in popularity comes as ChatGPT Images 2.0 introduces significant technological upgrades. The model can generate highly detailed visuals from minimal prompts, render accurate text -- including multilingual inputs -- and handle complex creative instructions. It also incorporates reasoning capabilities, allowing it to interpret prompts more intelligently, generate multiple variations, and even draw on real-time web context to refine outputs. However, the real story lies in how people are using it. Indian users are pushing the boundaries of the tool, creating everything from polished LinkedIn-style headshots and paparazzi-inspired “flash” images to dreamy pastel “spring” aesthetics and fashion-focused “style me” transformations. Everyday photos are being reimagined with dramatic lighting, while older or low-quality images are being enhanced and restored with striking clarity. More experimental formats are also gaining traction. Users are designing fictional newspaper front pages starring themselves, generating mystical tarot card portraits, and even visualising futuristic architecture and interiors through “blueprint”-style prompts. Alongside these, country-specific trends like cinematic portrait collages and Y2K-inspired romantic edits are further shaping a uniquely Indian visual language within the platform. This shift signals a broader evolution in how AI tools are being integrated into daily life. In India, AI image generation is no longer confined to professional or technical use cases -- it is blending seamlessly with creator culture, fandoms, fashion, and social media identity."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/33b8a008-70f1-44f7-bbb3-5a18bec23150_chatgtp.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-04-30T08:35:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"india-emerges-as-top-user-base-for-chatgpt-images-2.0"}}]},"entertainment":{"edges":[{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"RPS Praises Jackky’s Patience and Support"},"content":{"text":"Actress Rakul Preet Singh has looked back at a difficult phase following a serious injury, and recalled how through every step of that journey her husband-producer Jackky Bhagnani stood by her side. Rakul was joined by her husband Jackky on the chat show Famously Fit with Sophie hosted by Sophie Choudry. Sharing what that meant to her, Rakul said “He has been my biggest support… he never cribbed about my road to recovery, we did everything together.” She further added: “He is all ears when he is listening to me, so that’s half the battle won.” Jackky and Rakul’s story began somewhere between shared routines, food swaps, and just consistently showing up for each other. For them working out is a part of the routine. As Jackky puts it: “We don't look at it like this, for us it's like taking a shower,” while Rakul added: “You know some people read every day, some people eat some food every day, so for us it’s a routine — uthke workout kiya phir din shuru hota hai. And this is not for losing weight, not to look a certain way, not for show but for us.” As the conversation deepens, it naturally moves into their individual journeys and everything that has shaped them along the way. Reflecting on his experience as a producer, Jackky shares, “Producing is not an easy job…it has made me a more humble and a better person and taught me what life is all about.” The episode shifts gears into full entertainment mode, packed with candid confessions, fun moments, and just the right dose of chaos. Rakul and Jackky announced that they were in a relationship in 2021. It was in 2024, when the two got married in Goa in an intimate ceremony. Produced by Amazon MX Player (AMXP), executed by Tamgha Entertainment, Famously Fit with Sophie is now streaming on Amazon MX Player."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aSrelnNYClf9nmOS_rakuljacky.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-01T09:54:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"rps-praises-jackkys-patience-and-support"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Why Preity Wouldn’t Call a Co-Star in Trouble"},"content":{"text":"Actress Preity Zinta had once revealed why she would not call actor Saif Ali Khan in a time of crisis.  During her appearance on the second season of the reality chat show, \"Koffee with Karan\", Preity shared that Saif had sent her a funny message while she was stuck in the Tsunami, facing a near-death experience. When host Karan Johar asked the 'Veer-Zaara' actress, \"Who is the last person from the film industry you would think of in the following situation? If you were kidnapped, who is the last person you would call?\" Responding to the question, Preity named Saif.  Sharing the reason, Preity went on to explain, \"Because I was in the tsunami and I had the worst experience of my life , and he sends me a message going, \"Hey, PZ, underwater or what?\" I was just like, \"Ah! What kind of a guy is he?\"\". For those who do not know, a massive tsunami struck the coasts of the Indian Ocean on December 26, 2004, resulting in a loss of more than 2,30,000 people in around 14 countries.  Preity, who was holidaying with her friends in Phuket at the time, was also stuck in the natural disaster. She has spoken about the traumatic experience on several occasions. It must also be noted that Preity has shared screen space with Saif in not one but two praiseworthy dramas, \"Kal Ho Naa Ho\" and \"Salaam Namaste\". Their natural chemistry was highly palpable in both these dramas. Up next, Preity is gearing up to make her comeback to the big screen with \"Lahore 1947\". Directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, the project will see Sunny Deol as the lead, along with Shabana Azmi, Ali Fazal, and Abhimanyu Singh in significant roles. Backed by Bollywood actor Aamir Khan, \"Lahore 1947\" has been set against the backdrop of the partition of India."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/Z_jsz-vxEdbNO5qz_preity.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-05-01T09:30:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"why-preity-wouldnt-call-a-co-star-in-trouble"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"'Peddi' shooting wrapped!"},"content":{"text":"Ace cinematographer Rathnavelu, who is the cameraman for director Buchi Babu Sana's eagerly awaited rural action drama 'Peddi', featuring Telugu star Ram Charan in the lead, has now said that shooting for the film had been wrapped. Taking to his X timeline in the early hours of May 1, cinematographer Rathnavelu wrote, \"It’s a wrap for Mega power star @AlwaysRamCharan ! #Peddi -A Memorable journey. Working with #RC has been truly special. A powerhouse performer on screen and a wonderful friend off it. Grateful for the memories we’ve created together. @BuchiBabuSana @arrahman @vriddhicinemas.\" On his Instagram page, he wrote, \"Working with Ram Charan has been nothing short of inspiring — not just a phenomenal actor who brings fire and finesse to every frame, but also a genuinely warm and a truly reliable friend off screen. On this last day of shoot with him , I carry back not just great visuals, but great memories. Here’s to the magic we created together — and to many more journeys ahead.\" It may be recalled that the IANS had reported on April 29 that the unit was in the process of shooting the last song for the film.  Sources close to the unit of the film had informed IANS that the number would be a sensational special song featuring Ram Charan. They had also gone on to claim that the song, which was shot in Hyderabad, would contain a surprise element for audiences. A source had said, \"The tune, the dance, the granduer set and a surprise in it will make the audience go berserk. The song, that has been set to tune by A R Rahman, will be another sure-shot chartbuster.\"  The makers had confirmed a week ago that the entire shoot of 'Peddi' would be wrapped up in six days. Prior to that, Vriddhi Cinemas, which is producing the film, had taken to its social media timelines to issue a statement. It had said, \"Firstly, thank you all for the wonderful response to our songs and glimpses. We're truly happy to see the love and excitement for 'Peddi'. The talkie part of the film is complete, and we only have one song left to be shot. We've seen the edit of the film, and we're extremely happy with the output.\" It then went on to say, \"With such great content in our hands, we want to present it in the best possible way. For that, we feel it's important to give our technicians and post-production team a little more time to bring out their best with absolute perfection. It is our duty to give you nothing but the best theatrical experience. So, we've decided to push the release of the film to June.\" Stating that the exact date of release would be announced very soon, the makers thanked fans for their continued support and patience. \"It truly means a lot to us,\" the film unit had said. 'Peddi', which has triggered huge excitement among fans and film buffs, has been in the limelight right from the time it was first announced. The film brings together a strong cast with Janhvi Kapoor playing the leading lady. Senior actors Shiva Rajkumar, Jagapathi Babu, Divyenndu, and Boman Irani will all be seen playing important parts in this film. On the technical side, the movie is backed by some of the best in the industry. R Rathnavelu is handling the camera work, Navin Nooli is in charge of editing, and Avinash Kolla has designed the film’s massive and detailed sets."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/afRdv8BOoF08xh7z_peddiwrapped.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-05-01T05:01:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"peddi-shooting-wrapped"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Court orders defreezing of Rhea's bank account"},"content":{"text":"A special NDPS court in Mumbai has ordered the defreezing of a bank account linked to actress Rhea Chakraborty and her mother Sandhya Chakraborty, holding that the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) failed to comply with mandatory provisions under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.  Special Judge U.C. Deshmukh, in an order passed on April 25, allowed the application seeking defreezing of ICICI Bank and permitted its operation in accordance with RBI rules. The applicants had contended that the freezing of the account was illegal as the Central agency did not follow the provisions of Section 68F of the NDPS Act, which governs seizure or freezing of property suspected to be illegally acquired. The prosecution opposed the plea, claiming that statements recorded during investigation showed that Rhea Chakraborty was an active member of a drug syndicate and had links with alleged drug peddlers, and therefore the freezing of the bank accounts was justified. However, the court recorded that Section 68F(2) clearly provides that an order freezing or seizing property ceases to have effect unless it is confirmed by the competent authority within 30 days. “There is no dispute that the subject matter bank account has been freeze by the officer of the respondent. The respondent does not deny that there is no compliance of Sub-section (2) of Section 68F of the Act,” the order said. It added that no confirmation order, as required under the NDPS Act, had been passed and therefore the continuation of the freeze could not be sustained in law. Relying on a previous ruling of the Bombay High Court, the court said powers to freeze property are not unregulated and must be exercised strictly in accordance with statutory safeguards. The court consequently directed that the account be defreezed and the account holders be allowed to operate it as per applicable banking regulations. The case arises out of the 2020 NCB investigation linked to alleged drug-related activities following the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. Earlier, the Bombay High Court had granted Rhea Chakraborty relief by directing the return of her passport, observing that there was no sufficient reason to apprehend that she would evade legal proceedings."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/afM3g8BOoF08xfka_rhea.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-04-30T11:05:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"court-orders-defreezing-of-rheas-bank-account"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas weds Kavya in Tirumala"},"content":{"text":"Well known Telugu actor Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas wed his girlfriend Kavya in a serene and elegant ceremony held at the Karnataka Bhavan in Tirumala on Wednesday.  The wedding was an intimate event with only close family members and a select group of friends in attendance. Sources present on the occasion said that the bridegroom tied the knot at exactly 11.13 pm on Wednesday. They pointed out that though the ceremony remained intimate it was deeply meaningful. As the couple began a new chapter together, their union was marked by blessings, tradition, and a quiet grandeur. Sources also said that both families wholeheartedly participated in the wedding rituals. The entire celebration carried a calm yet celebratory tone, where age-old customs were followed with sincerity, blending seamlessly with a refined modern sensibility. The venue was transformed into a traditional visual spectacle, featuring temple-inspired decorations, lush floral arrangements, and shimmering golden accents, the sources informed, adding every detail reflected a deep respect for heritage while maintaining understated elegance. Adding a distinctive artistic touch, designer Shravan Kumar created specially curated outfits for the bride and groom. Kavya dazzled in a heavily embellished saree with exquisite jewelry, while Sreenivas sported classic traditional wear.  Festivities began well over a month ago, with the pre-engagement ceremony taking place on March 8 this year. In fact, actor Bellamkonda Srinivas, a day after that ceremony, had penned on his Instagram page an adorable post to his life partner.  In it, he had said, \"To my Kavyaamma, Life has its own beautiful timing… and mine brought you into my world. Thank you for coming into my life, believing me at the right time, filling my days with positivity and countless smiles !! Will make sure that smile on your face will never fade away. I can’t wait for our forever together. With love, Your Sreeni.\" Sources say the wedding celebrations are far from over, as a grand reception is scheduled to take place in Hyderabad on Saturday. The event is expected to be a star-studded affair, bringing together prominent members of the film fraternity, close friends, and well-wishers. With a larger guest list and an even more festive atmosphere, the reception, they say, will be a memorable gathering filled with warmth, elegance, and celebratory spirit."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/afNFwcBOoF08xfrF_bellamkondamarriage.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-04-30T10:30:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"bellamkonda-sai-sreenivas-weds-kavya-in-tirumala"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Interim Relief to Karisma’s Children in Estate Row"},"content":{"text":"The Delhi High Court on Thursday granted interim relief to the two children of late industrialist Sunjay Kapur from his previous marriage to Bollywood actor Karisma Kapoor, restraining his widow Priya Kapur from dissipating or creating third-party rights over key portions of his estate pending adjudication of a family inheritance dispute.  A single-judge Bench of Justice Jyoti Singh held that the estate of the deceased must be preserved during the pendency of the suit, observing that suspicious circumstances surrounding the purported will had been raised by the plaintiffs -- Samaira Kapur and Kiaan Kapur -- as well as Sunjay Kapur’s mother, Rani Kapur.  The Delhi High Court said that the onus to dispel those suspicions lies on Priya Kapur, while clarifying that the question of the will’s genuineness and validity would ultimately be determined during trial.  Holding that a prima facie case had been made out in favour of the plaintiffs, Justice Singh restrained Priya Kapur from alienating, transferring, pledging, or altering the equity and shareholding structure in Sunjay Kapur’s Indian companies.  The judge also barred her from withdrawing provident fund amounts, disposing of personal effects, artworks, or cryptocurrencies linked to the deceased’s estate.  Further, the Delhi High Court prohibited withdrawals from specified Indian bank accounts, except to the extent necessary for discharging liabilities towards the children arising from the divorce settlement between Sunjay Kapur and Karisma Kapoor.  It also ordered restrictions on the operation of certain foreign bank accounts and crypto holdings connected to the deceased, while clarifying that it lacked jurisdiction over immovable foreign assets and therefore issued no directions in respect of such properties.  The dispute arises from a suit filed by Samaira Kapur and Kiaan Kapur seeking a share in the personal estate of their late father, estimated to be worth around Rs 30,000 crore.  The siblings have challenged a March 21, 2025, will, which allegedly bequeaths the entirety of Sunjay Kapur’s personal estate to Priya Kapur, terming it forged and the product of a criminal conspiracy aimed at excluding them and their grandmother.  During earlier hearings, counsel for the children had alleged that the purported will was tampered with when Sunjay Kapur was on holiday with his son, and that a person allegedly involved in modifying the document was appointed as a company director a day after his death.  The children have sought one-fifth share each in the estate, claiming entitlement as Class-I legal heirs and asserting that they remained in regular contact with their father through meetings, holidays and electronic communication.  Sunjay Kapur, the former husband of Karisma Kapoor, died in June 2025 at the age of 53 after reportedly suffering a heart attack while playing polo in the United Kingdom.  Meanwhile, in a connected defamation dispute, the Delhi High Court had directed Priya Kapur and Sunjay Kapur’s sister, Mandhira Kapur Smith, to refrain from making public statements against each other.  Justice Mini Pushkarna, while hearing Priya Kapur’s civil defamation suit seeking Rs 20 crore in damages, orally observed that both sides must conduct themselves with dignity and exercise restraint in making direct or indirect public remarks pending further proceedings. "},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/3a863d12-4aa8-40fe-a960-ac7492f56707_karishma+Kapoor.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-04-30T10:22:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"interim-relief-to-karismas-children-in-estate-row"}}]},"tech":{"edges":[]},"fashion":{"edges":[]},"business":{"edges":[]},"health":{"edges":[{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Sun to Acquire US-Based Organon in $11.75 B"},"content":{"text":"India’s major drugmaker Sun Pharmaceutical Industries on Monday announced that it will acquire New York-listed Organon &amp; Co in an all-cash deal valued at $11.75 billion, its biggest overseas acquisition to date.  Under the agreement, the pharmaceutical firm will acquire 100 per cent of Organon’s outstanding shares at $14 per share, translating into an enterprise valuation of $11.75 billion and an equity value of around $3.99 billion, the company said in an exchange filing. The company said the acquisition is aligned with its strategy to scale up its innovative medicines business while strengthening its presence in established brands and branded generics. The deal will also enable Sun Pharma to enter the biosimilars segment as a top global player. Following the acquisition, the combined entity is expected to be among the top 25 global pharmaceutical companies, with revenues of around $12.4 billion, while strengthening its position in women’s health and biosimilars. New Jersey-based Organon operates across women’s health, biosimilars, and established medicines, with a portfolio of over 70 products and a presence in more than 140 countries. The transaction, approved by the boards of both companies, expected to close in early 2027, subject to regulatory approvals and Organon shareholders’ approval. Sun Pharma plans to fund the deal through a mix of internal accruals and debt financing. For the year ended December 2025, Organon reported revenue of $6.2 billion and adjusted EBITDA of $1.9 billion. Commenting on the deal, Sun Pharma Executive Chairman Dilip Shanghvi said the acquisition would help build a stronger and more diversified platform, while Managing Director Kirti Ganorkar highlighted synergy and growth opportunities from the integration. Shares of Sun Pharma rose as much as 6.71 per cent to hit an intraday high of Rs 1,728.65 on the BSE in early trade on Monday."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/0559bc76-f082-4aef-b625-6c012ae1d136_sun+pharma.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-04-27T08:34:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"sun-pharma-to-acquire-us-based-organon-in-11.75-b"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Plastic particles may trigger liver disease risk"},"content":{"text":"There is clear evidence that exposure to micro and nanoplastics can trigger oxidative stress, fibrogenesis and inflammation in animals, features that resemble those of advanced liver disease in humans, researchers said on Thursday.  With the liver acting as the body’s first major firewall, processing and detoxifying everything humans consume, there is a clear potential for these particles to enable the transporting of microbial pathogens, antimicrobial resistance determinants, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and carcinogenic additives into the human system, they emphasised in the Nature Reviews Gastroenterology &amp; Hepatology journal. The article’s lead author, Shilpa Chokshi, Professor of Experimental Hepatology and Director of Centre of Environmental Hepatology, said that liver disease is rising globally and is now responsible for 1 in 25 deaths worldwide. “While established risk factors such as obesity and harmful alcohol use remain central, they do not fully explain the scale or pace of this increase. This has led us to consider additional environmental factors, including micro- and nanoplastics, which may interact with existing disease processes and amplify liver injury,” said Chokshi. There is already strong evidence that plastics can accumulate and cause harm in the livers of animals, raising an important question – why should humans be any different? In the review, the researchers highlighted critical methodological bottlenecks, key knowledge gaps and unmet research priorities, as well as a number of technical challenges that are presently hindering the search for further evidence of plastic-induced liver injury. Professor Chokshi that we now have a growing body of evidence that plastics can accumulate in human tissues and have been implicated in a range of medical conditions. “From my perspective, having spent over two decades developing therapeutics for liver disease, the liver acts as the body’s gatekeeper – processing and detoxifying what we are exposed to. In an increasingly plastic-laden world, where plastics are closely associated with our food, water and air, these exposures may not only reach the liver but also interact with existing disease processes and amplify harm,” Chokshi explained. If this is the case, it is something we need to investigate in much greater detail, said researchers. Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS, Professor of Marine Biology at the University of Plymouth, said this is further evidence that plastic pollution is, without question, a global environmental and health challenge."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aeng5cBOoF08xPTe_liver.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-04-23T08:45:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"plastic-particles-may-trigger-liver-disease-risk"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Late-Night Eating May Harm Gut, Study Suggests"},"content":{"text":"Chronic stress can disrupt bowel functions and now, a new report on Thursday suggested that eating late at night amplifies these effects, with implications for both digestive health and the gut microbiome.  Researchers analysed data from more than 11,000 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in the US to examine links between chronic stress, late-night eating, and bowel dysfunction. Individuals with a high allostatic load score — the cumulative physiological stress as reflected in body mass index (BMI), cholesterol level, and blood pressure — who also reported eating more than 25 per cent of daily calories after 9 p.m. were 1.7 times more likely to experience constipation and diarrhoea than those with lower scores who did not eat late at night. \"It’s not just what you eat, but when you eat it,\" said Harika Dadigiri, resident physician at New York Medical College at Saint Mary’s and Saint Clare’s Hospital said the study’s lead author. \"And when we’re already under stress, that timing may deliver a ‘double hit’ to gut health,\" she added. Similarly, data from more than 4,000 participants in the American Gut Project found that people with both high stress levels and late-night eating habits were 2.5 times more likely to report bowel problems. These individuals had significantly lower gut microbiome diversity, suggesting that meal timing might magnify the impact of stress on the microbiome via the gut-brain axis — the two-way communication system involving nerves, hormones and gut bacteria. The findings highlight associations rather than cause-and-effect. Further research is needed to better understand how stress, eating patterns and gut health are connected, said the study. Dr Dadigiri is sympathetic to those who reach for late-night snacks after long, demanding days, and as a medical resident, she counts herself among them. \"Small, consistent habits, like maintaining a structured meal routine, may help promote more regular eating patterns and support digestive function over time,\" she said."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/49dee6c7-3424-4e38-92ca-36f8dd4d4197_stomach+cancer.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-04-23T00:50:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"late-night-eating-may-harm-gut-study-suggests"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"An Alarming Surge in Kidney Stones Among Children"},"content":{"text":"In a troubling trend that has emerged over recent years, pediatric urologists are increasingly diagnosing kidney stones in children, including infants, a condition once predominantly associated with adults. This shift represents a significant departure from earlier decades when bladder stones, primarily linked to malnutrition, were the principal concern in pediatric medicine. Experts in Hyderabad are sounding the alarm, attributing this rise to a combination of factors such as inadequate hydration, high-sodium diets, and a growing prevalence of genetic and metabolic disorders that predispose children to this painful condition. Dr. Mallikarjuna C, a leading consultant urologist at the Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology, underscores the urgency of addressing this alarming trend. He notes that the demographic of patients has dramatically shifted, with cases of kidney stones now being diagnosed in children as young as one year old. This emerging health crisis calls for specialized treatment approaches, as the standard procedures may not suffice in younger patients. Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL), a non-invasive technique, is now considered a primary treatment option for small stones, highlighting the need for tailored medical interventions in a vulnerable population. Historically, pediatric kidney stones were a rarity, with medical literature focusing on bladder stones resulting from poor nutritional practices. As nutrition in Telangana has improved, the profile of related health issues has evolved, leading to an increased understanding of the multifaceted factors contributing to kidney stone formation. Dr. Kartheek Ganapathri, a consultant urologist at Aster Prime Hospital, points out that the increased visibility of kidney stones in children correlates with lifestyle changes, particularly concerning hydration and dietary habits that have shifted towards more processed foods high in sodium. This dietary evolution is compounded by environmental factors such as heat, which exacerbate dehydration. Further compounding this issue is the advancement in diagnostic techniques, which have made it easier for healthcare professionals to identify kidney stones in children early on. Dr. Sree Bhushan Raju, head of nephrology at Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, remarks on the growing number of cases reported in their rare diseases registry, with even parents from neighboring states seeking advice. This rise in diagnoses is not merely a reflection of increased incidence; rather, it highlights an urgent need for awareness about lifestyle risks and hydration among children, emphasizing the critical role of parents and caregivers in safeguarding their children's health against this painful ailment."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aejbKMBOoF08xNo7_kidneystones.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-04-22T10:33:41+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"a-rising-tide-an-alarming-surge-in-kidney-stones-among-children-mo9x09j2"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Why Your Waistline Matters More Than Your Weight"},"content":{"text":"In a groundbreaking shift in medical understanding, health experts are increasingly highlighting that body weight alone is not a reliable measure of health risk, particularly in the Indian demographic. Traditionally, Body Mass Index (BMI) has been the standard metric for assessing obesity and associated health risks. However, recent research has illuminated a more insidious danger lurking beneath the surface—visceral fat, the harmful fat that accumulates around the abdomen and poses significant threats to heart health and metabolic stability. This paradigm shift in focus underscores a vital truth: a normal BMI does not equate to low health risk, particularly among individuals who may appear fit yet harbor dangerous levels of abdominal fat. The traditional use of BMI has been criticized for its limitations; it primarily considers height and weight but fails to account for the distribution of fat within the body. Renowned endocrinologist Dr. Pramila Kalra from Ramaiah Memorial Hospital in Bengaluru articulates this concern, stating, \"Many patients may present with a normal BMI yet possess significant abdominal obesity, which BMI fails to capture.\" This oversight is particularly pronounced in South Asians, who are predisposed to storing fat around the midsection even at lower BMI levels. Thus, an individual with a seemingly healthy BMI may still be at a heightened risk of developing serious conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, necessitating a reevaluation of how we assess health risks. The implications of visceral fat extend beyond mere numbers on a scale. Unlike subcutaneous fat, which lies just beneath the skin, visceral fat is located deep within the abdominal cavity, enveloping vital organs such as the liver and heart. This type of fat is metabolically active, leading to inflammation, impaired insulin response, and elevated blood pressure—all factors that contribute to a cascade of chronic health issues. Dr. Varun Suryadevara, an endocrinologist at Apollo Hospitals, emphasizes the dire consequences of visceral fat accumulation, stating, \"This fat tissue can directly damage visceral organs, leading to metabolic complications that can be devastating.\" As such, the focus of health assessments is shifting from weight-centric views to a more nuanced understanding of where fat resides within the body. For effective risk management, health professionals are advocating for a simple yet effective metric: waist circumference, which offers a clearer picture of visceral fat levels. The recommended thresholds for Indian men and women are 90 cm and 80 cm, respectively. Dr. Kalra cautions against complacency in labeling individuals as healthy based solely on BMI, asserting that a larger waist measurement can indicate the same health threats as being classified as overweight. In today's increasingly sedentary lifestyle, characterized by extended hours of inactivity and diets rich in processed foods, even seemingly healthy individuals may face significant health risks associated with hidden abdominal obesity. This evolving understanding of body composition is critical in combating the rising tide of metabolic disorders that threaten public health, particularly in regions where genetic factors predispose populations to these risks."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad%2Fa5427839-cde3-4171-9cae-d4724de8119a_weight.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=0,54,1200,592&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-04-19T17:00:52+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"the-hidden-threat-why-your-waistline-matters-more-than-your-weight-mo60imsl"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Anemia Linked to Rising Dementia Risk, Warn Experts"},"content":{"text":"Emerging research from Sweden has illuminated a troubling connection between anemia—a condition affecting more than 1.6 billion people worldwide—and the heightened risk of developing dementia. A significant study conducted by researchers at the Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University, published in JAMA Network Open, tracked over 2,200 dementia-free older adults. The findings reveal that low hemoglobin levels not only correlate with elevated biomarkers indicating Alzheimer’s disease but also predict a greater likelihood of developing dementia over time. This intersection of anemia and neurological health underscores a critical area of concern for global health practitioners and policymakers. The researchers meticulously monitored participants over several years, measuring hemoglobin levels and assessing blood for key Alzheimer’s markers such as p-tau217 and amyloid-beta proteins. The results were telling; individuals presenting with anemia exhibited abnormal levels of these biomarkers at the outset of the study. Furthermore, those with low hemoglobin levels were found to be at an increased risk of dementia, particularly when combined with elevated Alzheimer’s disease indicators. This relationship suggests a complex interplay between oxygen deprivation, a consequence of anemia, and the pathological processes underlying neurodegenerative diseases. Historically, anemia has been viewed primarily as a blood disorder characterized by fatigue and pallor, often dismissed as a manageable condition with dietary interventions. Yet, the staggering prevalence of iron deficiency anemia globally, particularly in vulnerable populations, raises significant alarm. The latest data reveal disheartening trends; in India, for instance, two-thirds of children under five and over half of women aged 15 to 49 are affected by anemia, with these numbers on the rise despite extensive iron supplementation programs. In the United States, the picture is similarly concerning, with notable prevalence rates among premenopausal women and young children, highlighting the need for heightened awareness and intervention strategies across diverse demographics. The implications of this research extend beyond the clinical sphere, urging a reevaluation of how anemia is perceived and treated within healthcare systems. The study's lead researchers emphasize the necessity for increased clinical attention to anemia among older adults, positing that the detrimental effects on brain health could be mitigated with early intervention. As the global population ages and the prevalence of dementia continues to rise, addressing the often-overlooked issue of anemia could be crucial in the fight against cognitive decline. It is imperative that global health initiatives prioritize anemia screening and management to stave off its potentially devastating neurological consequences."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/54656ff7-b25b-47fe-91df-5635a59ee407_mental+health.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-04-18T11:39:18+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"anemias-alarming-role-in-dementia-risk-a-global-health-crisis-unveiled-mo49l8si"}}]},"nri":{"edges":[{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"USCIS flags 100 H-1B cases linked to DEI roles"},"content":{"text":"The US immigration authorities have identified about 100 H-1B visa cases linked to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) roles, according to an official response to a senator, as the administration steps up scrutiny of the programme.  In a letter dated April 21, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Joseph B. Edlow said the agency reviewed H-1B petitions filed between fiscal years 2021 and 2024 following concerns raised by Senator Eric Schmitt. “This initial analysis identified approximately 100 cases where the position title referenced ‘diversity’, ‘equity’, ‘inclusion’ or similar terms, and the role appeared to be DEI-related to some degree,” Edlow wrote. He added that “several unrelated financial roles, including terms such as ‘private equity’, were excluded.” The review marks part of a broader policy push under President Donald Trump targeting DEI programmes. Edlow said Trump had taken action through an Executive Order titled 'Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing'. He also cited a presidential proclamation issued on September 19, 2025. “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers, under which certain H-1B petitions filed at or after 12:01 a.m. EDT on September 21, 2025, are subject to a $100,000 payment,” the letter said. USCIS described the measure as “an important, initial, and incremental step to reform the H-1B visa programme to curb abuses and protect American workers”. Edlow said the agency is preparing further policy changes. “I have directed the USCIS Office of Policy and Strategy to develop a policy update to prevent abuse of the H-1B program via DEI initiatives,” he wrote. He said USCIS is “committed to working with you and your office toward necessary remedies, whether legislative or regulatory, to promote American values and put the American people first.” The agency also offered to brief lawmakers as the work progresses. “We would be happy to coordinate a briefing with you and your team to explain the progress made in this effort,” Edlow said."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/9706436b-2277-4f44-ba60-6cc43c85127f_USCIS.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-01T03:45:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"uscis-flags-100-h-1b-cases-linked-to-dei-roles"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Texas probes firms in H-1B fraud case​"},"content":{"text":"Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has taken legal action against nearly 30 North Texas businesses as part of an investigation into suspected fraud and abuse of the H-1B visa programme, officials said Thursday. Paxton’s office has issued Civil Investigative Demands (CIDs) to the companies, seeking records as part of what authorities describe as a widening probe into alleged misuse of the system that allows US employers to hire foreign skilled workers. The investigation includes Tekpro IT LLC, Fame PBX LLC, 1st Ranking Technologies LLC, Qubitz Tech Systems LLC, Blooming Clouds LLC, Virat Solutions, Inc., Oak Technologies Inc, Techpath Inc, and Techquency LLC, among others. “These companies are suspected of engaging in fraudulent practices designed to exploit the H-1B visa program,” the statement said. Authorities say several of the firms may have used so-called “ghost offices” to falsely present active operations in order to sponsor foreign workers. “I will not allow the H-1B program to be abused by bad actors seeking to use it as a loophole for allowing foreign nationals to invade Texas,” Paxton said. “My office will continue working to uncover and put an end to fraud within the H-1B program.” The Attorney General’s office has sought documents identifying employees, records of products and services, financial statements, and internal communications tied to business operations. Officials said the move builds on an ongoing and broader investigation into alleged H-1B abuse across Texas. ​“This announcement is a continuation of Attorney General Paxton’s sweeping investigation into H-1B abuse, which has previously included multiple other Texas companies,” the statement said. ​The Office of the Attorney General added that it is “actively investigating participants in the program to ensure compliance with the law and that the H-1B program puts the interests of Americans first.” ​The H-1B visa programme allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialised occupations. It is widely used in sectors such as information technology, engineering, and finance. ​The programme has faced scrutiny over the years over allegations of misuse, including fraudulent sponsorships and the use of shell companies. Authorities have increased enforcement efforts in recent years to ensure compliance while preserving access to skilled labour."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aU5WZXNYClf9opPw_H1B.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C60%2C449%2C221&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-04-30T15:58:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"texas-probes-firms-in-h-1b-fraud-case"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Kash Patel Could Be Next to Exit!"},"content":{"text":"Amid growing speculation over his future in the Donald Trump administration, reports suggest that Kash Patel could be the next senior official to exit the cabinet. According to a recent report by Politico, questions have reportedly surfaced within White House circles regarding Patel’s future, leading to increasing internal concerns. The speculation has intensified this week over which senior Trump administration official could be the next to depart, especially after the removal of the US Navy Secretary with Trump’s approval. A senior White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, reportedly indicated that Patel may be next in line for a possible ouster, saying, “It’s only a matter of time.” The official cited several concerns behind the speculation, including growing negative media coverage surrounding Patel, which was described as “not a good look for a Cabinet secretary.” Reports also claimed that Trump has become increasingly frustrated over distractions caused by the controversy. The developments come amid wider political discussions in Washington about possible reshuffles in key administrative positions. However, the White House has not officially confirmed any decision regarding Patel’s status."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aMrl-mGNHVfTPVZH_kashpatel.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-04-27T08:16:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"kash-patel-could-be-next-to-exit-administration"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Usha Vance Says She Is J. D.’s Trusted Advisor"},"content":{"text":"Usha Vance has revealed that she considers herself a trusted advisor to her husband, J. D. Vance, especially on matters that are personally important to him. In an interview with NBC News, Usha, the first Indian-American Second Lady of the United States, said that while she and her husband do not always agree on every issue, their differences often lead to productive and open-minded discussions. She explained that understanding her husband’s priorities is essential for her support. “I want to be supportive of him, and if I don’t really know what’s going on, then I can’t do that,” she said. Usha clarified that she does not serve in any official or professional role within the vice president’s office. Instead, she offers personal guidance as someone who deeply cares for her husband and wants him to succeed. Although Vice President Vance has a full team of policy advisors, Usha said he often turns to her when dealing with issues that are intensely personal or especially meaningful to him. On the possibility of a 2028 presidential run, Usha said it is not currently a major topic in their household. She noted that her husband is presently focused on the upcoming mid-term elections and that she expects to have a clearer idea about any presidential plans sometime in 2027."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/Zpz3ix5LeNNTxU8u_ushavance.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-04-26T23:21:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"usha-vance-says-she-is-j.-d.s-trusted-advisor"}}]},"videos":{"edges":[{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"JETLEE Release Trailer"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/afOPGsBOoF08xg_8_jetlee.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-04-30T13:19:00+0000","third_party_url":null},"uid":"jetlee-release-trailer"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"'Drishyam 3' teaser"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aS8L8HNYClf9ntXj_drishyam3.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-04-29T13:37:00+0000","third_party_url":null},"uid":"drishyam-3-teaser"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Sikkim footballers friendly match with PM Modi"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/afHLW8BOoF08xaSX_modifootball.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-04-29T09:12:00+0000","third_party_url":null},"uid":"sikkim-footballers-friendly-match-with-pm-modi"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Jagapathi Babu's 'Vadala' Teaser"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/afCL-8BOoF08xXfO_vadalateaser.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-04-28T10:29:00+0000","third_party_url":null},"uid":"jagapathi-babus-vadala-teaser"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Aamir in tears during special event of son film"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aBhsaPIqRLdaB3E3_aamir.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-04-27T03:31:00+0000","third_party_url":null},"uid":"aamir-in-tears-during-special-event-of-son-film"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"'Gaayapadda Simham' Trailer"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aYctbd0YXLCxViY6_ghayapaddasimham.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-04-25T19:22:00+0000","third_party_url":null},"uid":"gaayapadda-simham-trailer"}}]},"editorial":{"edges":[{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"WB- Record Turnout: Missing The Larger Picture?"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/afHbG8BOoF08xaaG_modimamata.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-04-29T09:19:00+0000","third_party_url":null},"uid":"wb--record-turnout-missing-the-larger-picture"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Maa, Maati And Mere Votes: The Bengal Script"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/ae9cYcBOoF08xU-u_modi.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-04-27T12:54:00+0000","third_party_url":null},"uid":"maa-maati-and-mere-votes-the-bengal-script"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Fall of political promise - AAP’s journey in power"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/4567d279-680b-443f-a359-c6918f903735_AAP.JPG?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C34%2C1200%2C592&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-04-26T09:46:00+0000","third_party_url":null},"uid":"fall-of-political-promise---aaps-journey-in-power"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"WB: The Choice Between Machar Jhal And Jhal Muri"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aenwKMBOoF08xPem_westbengaljhal.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-04-23T08:10:00+0000","third_party_url":null},"uid":"wb-the-choice-between-machar-jhal-and-jhal-muri"}}]},"gallery":{"edges":[{"node":{"tags":["gallery"],"last_publication_date":"2026-04-14T10:45:57+0000","data":{"title":{"text":"Janhvi Kapoor Radiant Look Stills "},"content":{"text":"Janhvi Kapoor is an Indian actress who works predominantly in Hindi films. Born to film actress Sridevi and producer Boney Kapoor, she made her acting debut in 2018 with the romantic drama Dhadak, which was a commercial success."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/ad3-7Z1ZCF7ETKag_janhvi2028.JPG?auto=format,compress"}},"uid":"janhvi-kapoor-radiant-look-stills"}},{"node":{"tags":["gallery"],"last_publication_date":"2026-04-02T15:03:07+0000","data":{"title":{"text":"Nabha Natesh Glam Pics"},"content":{"text":"Nabha Natesh is an Indian actress and model who primarily appears in Telugu films. She made her debut with Kannada film Vajrakaya and later in Telugu with Nannu Dochukunduvate. She had her breakthrough with iSmart Shankar in 2019 due to which she is popularly referred as \"Ismart Beauty\" in the media."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/ac6Er5GXnQHGZNWp_nabha2028.JPG?auto=format,compress"}},"uid":"nabha-natesh-glam-pics"}},{"node":{"tags":["gallery"],"last_publication_date":"2026-03-29T11:03:07+0000","data":{"title":{"text":"Nidhhi Agerwal Royal Blue Sari Stills"},"content":{"text":"Nidhhi Agerwal is an Indian actress who primarily works in Telugu and Tamil films. After participating in Miss Diva Universe 2014, Agerwal made her acting debut with the Hindi film Munna Michael, for which she received Zee Cine Award for Best Female Debut."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/ackGR5GXnQHGZEvS_nidhhi2028.jpg?auto=format,compress"}},"uid":"nidhhi-agerwal-royal-blue-sari-stills"}},{"node":{"tags":["gallery"],"last_publication_date":"2026-03-29T07:22:02+0000","data":{"title":{"text":"Rakul New Glam Stills"},"content":{"text":"Rakul Preet Singh is an Indian actress who predominantly works in Telugu, Hindi and Tamil films. She has won a South Indian International Movie Award, in addition to four nominations at the Filmfare Awards South. Singh made her acting debut with the Kannada film Gilli."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/acjShZGXnQHGZErj_RPS2028.jpg?auto=format,compress"}},"uid":"rakul-new-glam-stills"}},{"node":{"tags":["gallery"],"last_publication_date":"2026-03-17T09:44:26+0000","data":{"title":{"text":"Rashi Khanna New Glam Stills"},"content":{"text":"Rashii Khanna (born 30 November 1990) is an Indian actress and playback singer who predominantly works in Telugu and Tamil film industries. She made her acting debut in a supporting role with the Hindi film Madras Cafe (2013) and subsequently made her debut as female lead with Telugu film Oohalu Gusagusalade (2014), in Tamil with Imaikkaa Nodigal (2018) and Malayalam with Villain (2017)."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/abkhxbbci2UF6Gme_rashikhanna.JPG?auto=format,compress"}},"uid":"rashi-khanna-new-glam-stills"}},{"node":{"tags":["gallery"],"last_publication_date":"2026-03-12T18:30:32+0000","data":{"title":{"text":"Meenakshi Chaudhary Red Bold Stills"},"content":{"text":"Meenakshi Chaudhary is an Indian actress and beauty pageant titleholder who works predominantly in Telugu and Tamil films. She represented the state of Haryana at the Femina Miss India 2018 pageant, where she was crowned as Femina Miss India Grand International 2018."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/abMFmVxvIZEnjoQC_meenakshi2028.JPG?auto=format,compress"}},"uid":"meenakshi-chaudhary-red-bold-stills"}},{"node":{"tags":["gallery"],"last_publication_date":"2026-03-10T18:35:00+0000","data":{"title":{"text":"Shruti Haasan Glam Stills"},"content":{"text":"Shruti Haasan is an Indian actress and singer who works in Telugu, Tamil and Hindi films. She is the recipient of various accolades, including two Filmfare Award South and seven South Indian International Movie Awards. Haasan has appeared in Forbes India's Celebrity 100 list of 2015 and 2016."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aa__a1xvIZEnjhl8_shruthi2028.JPG?auto=format,compress"}},"uid":"shruti-haasan-glam-stills"}},{"node":{"tags":["gallery"],"last_publication_date":"2026-03-03T18:03:05+0000","data":{"title":{"text":"Bhagyashri Borse New Stills"},"content":{"text":"Bhagyashri Borse is an Indian actress who appears primarily in South films. After doing cameo appearances in Hindi films Yaariyan 2 and Chandu Champion, she made her lead debut in South with the Telugu film Mr. Bachchan for which she has won the SIIMA Award for Best Female Debut – Telugu."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aachiFxvIZEnjSV9_bhagya2028.JPG?auto=format,compress"}},"uid":"bhagyashri-borse-new-stills"}},{"node":{"tags":["gallery"],"last_publication_date":"2026-02-27T11:14:55+0000","data":{"title":{"text":"ViRosh Wedding Stills"},"content":{"text":"ViRosh Wedding Stills"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aaF4t8FoBIGEg6zW_virosh.JPG?auto=format,compress"}},"uid":"virosh-wedding-stills"}},{"node":{"tags":["gallery"],"last_publication_date":"2026-02-21T12:37:04+0000","data":{"title":{"text":"Niharika Konidela New Stills"},"content":{"text":"Niharika Konidela is an Indian actress and producer who predominantly works in Telugu films. She made her debut with the film Oka Manasu. She produces films and web series under her banner. "},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aZmdKsFoBIGEgndO_niharika2028.JPG?auto=format,compress"}},"uid":"niharika-konidela-new-stills"}},{"node":{"tags":["gallery"],"last_publication_date":"2026-02-01T18:21:28+0000","data":{"title":{"text":"Rashmi Gautam Red Hot Sills"},"content":{"text":"Rashmi Gautam is an Indian actress and television presenter who appears in Telugu-language films and TV. She hosts the Telugu television comedy show Extra Jabardasth and is a conceptual team leader in reality dance show Dhee."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aX-WA90YXLCxVPdl_rashmi2028.JPG?auto=format,compress"}},"uid":"rashmi-gautam-red-hot-sills"}},{"node":{"tags":["gallery"],"last_publication_date":"2026-01-29T19:41:55+0000","data":{"title":{"text":"Rithu Chowdary Glam Stills"},"content":{"text":"Rithu Chowdary is an Indian actress and anchor known for her work in Telugu television and films. She began her career as an anchor on Star Maa Music and gained popularity through reality shows like Pelli Choopulu (2018). She debuted in Telugu TV with the serial Gorintaku (2019) and later appeared in Suryavamsam and Inti Guttu. Her film debut was in Mouname Ishtam (2019), followed by a role in Uppena (2021). Rithu is also a regular on comedy shows like Jabardasth and Sridevi Drama Company, known for her comedic timing and charm. In 2021, she launched her YouTube channel, Rithu Chowdhary, with over 70,000 subscribers. She participated in Bigg Boss Telugu Season 8 (2024)."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aXu3QAIvOtkhCGJU_rithuchoudhary.JPG?auto=format,compress"}},"uid":"rithu-chowdary-glam-stills"}},{"node":{"tags":["gallery"],"last_publication_date":"2025-12-16T17:05:55+0000","data":{"title":{"text":"Shriya Saran Glam Stills"},"content":{"text":"Shriya Saran Bhatnagar is an Indian actress who primarily works in Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi films. Although Saran aspired to become a well-known dancer, she became an actress and made her film debut with the Telugu film Ishtam. Saran had her first commercial success with Santosham."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aUGQvnNYClf9oSUB_shriya2028.jpg?auto=format,compress"}},"uid":"shriya-saran-glam-stills"}},{"node":{"tags":["gallery"],"last_publication_date":"2025-12-16T17:05:55+0000","data":{"title":{"text":"Anasuya Bharadwaj Saree Pics"},"content":{"text":"Anasuya Bharadwaj is an Indian television presenter and actress who works in Telugu films and television. She has received two SIIMA Awards, an IIFA Utsavam Award and a Filmfare Award South for her performances in Kshanam and Rangasthalam."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aUGPy3NYClf9oSS3_ansuya2028.JPG?auto=format,compress"}},"uid":"anasuya-bharadwaj-saree-pics"}},{"node":{"tags":["gallery"],"last_publication_date":"2025-12-06T17:46:28+0000","data":{"title":{"text":"Guess This Heroine"},"content":{"text":"guess this heroine"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aTLHu3NYClf9n2n7_gs1.JPG?auto=format,compress"}},"uid":"guess-this-heroine"}},{"node":{"tags":["gallery"],"last_publication_date":"2025-09-23T11:53:49+0000","data":{"title":{"text":"Priya Prakash Varrier New Glam Stills"},"content":{"text":"Priya Prakash Varrier is an Indian actress who predominantly works in Malayalam films. Her wink in the film Oru Adaar Love went viral, making her the most searched-for personality through Google in India in 2018."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aNJDd55xUNkB1AGF_priyapvarrier2028.JPG?auto=format,compress"}},"uid":"priya-prakash-varrier-new-glam-stills"}},{"node":{"tags":["gallery"],"last_publication_date":"2025-09-20T17:01:37+0000","data":{"title":{"text":"Disha Patani Glam Stills"},"content":{"text":"Disha Patani is an Indian actress who primarily work in Hindi films. Patani began her acting career with the Telugu film Loafer, and had her first Hindi film release with the biopic M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story, for which she won the IIFA Award for Star Debut of the Year"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aM7X1J5xUNkB07Ue_disha2028.JPG?auto=format,compress"}},"uid":"disha-patani-glam-stills"}},{"node":{"tags":["gallery"],"last_publication_date":"2025-08-27T16:52:16+0000","data":{"title":{"text":"Raai Laxmi Hot Bikini Stills"},"content":{"text":"Lakshmi Rai, professionally credited as Raai Laxmi is an Indian actress and model who predominantly works in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi languages."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aK8262GNHVfTOYIc_raailakshmi2028.JPG?auto=format,compress"}},"uid":"raai-laxmi-hot-bikini-stills"}},{"node":{"tags":["gallery"],"last_publication_date":"2025-08-15T11:03:15+0000","data":{"title":{"text":"Nora Fatehi Glam Stills"},"content":{"text":"Nora Fatehi is a Canadian dancer and actress based in India. She has appeared in Hindi, Telugu and Malayalam films. Fatehi made her acting debut with the Hindi film Roar: Tigers of the Sundarbans."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aJ8R_aTt2nPbaW3o_nora2028.JPG?auto=format,compress"}},"uid":"nora-fatehi-glam-stills"}},{"node":{"tags":["gallery"],"last_publication_date":"2025-07-26T17:32:57+0000","data":{"title":{"text":"Priyanka Jawalkar Spicy Stills"},"content":{"text":"Priyanka Jawalkar is an Indian actress and model who works in Telugu cinema. She made her acting debut with Kala Varam Aaye. She then appeared in Taxiwala and Thimmarusu. Jawalkar received Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Telugu nomination for her performance in Gamanam."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aIT6gFGsbswqTR74_priya2028.JPG?auto=format,compress"}},"uid":"priyanka-jawalkar-spicy-stills"}}]},"one":{"edges":[]},"two":{"edges":[{"node":{"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"'Peddi' shooting wrapped!"},"content":{"text":"Ace cinematographer Rathnavelu, who is the cameraman for director Buchi Babu Sana's eagerly awaited rural action drama 'Peddi', featuring Telugu star Ram Charan in the lead, has now said that shooting for the film had been wrapped. Taking to his X timeline in the early hours of May 1, cinematographer Rathnavelu wrote, \"It’s a wrap for Mega power star @AlwaysRamCharan ! #Peddi -A Memorable journey. Working with #RC has been truly special. A powerhouse performer on screen and a wonderful friend off it. Grateful for the memories we’ve created together. @BuchiBabuSana @arrahman @vriddhicinemas.\" On his Instagram page, he wrote, \"Working with Ram Charan has been nothing short of inspiring — not just a phenomenal actor who brings fire and finesse to every frame, but also a genuinely warm and a truly reliable friend off screen. On this last day of shoot with him , I carry back not just great visuals, but great memories. Here’s to the magic we created together — and to many more journeys ahead.\" It may be recalled that the IANS had reported on April 29 that the unit was in the process of shooting the last song for the film.  Sources close to the unit of the film had informed IANS that the number would be a sensational special song featuring Ram Charan. They had also gone on to claim that the song, which was shot in Hyderabad, would contain a surprise element for audiences. A source had said, \"The tune, the dance, the granduer set and a surprise in it will make the audience go berserk. The song, that has been set to tune by A R Rahman, will be another sure-shot chartbuster.\"  The makers had confirmed a week ago that the entire shoot of 'Peddi' would be wrapped up in six days. Prior to that, Vriddhi Cinemas, which is producing the film, had taken to its social media timelines to issue a statement. It had said, \"Firstly, thank you all for the wonderful response to our songs and glimpses. We're truly happy to see the love and excitement for 'Peddi'. The talkie part of the film is complete, and we only have one song left to be shot. We've seen the edit of the film, and we're extremely happy with the output.\" It then went on to say, \"With such great content in our hands, we want to present it in the best possible way. For that, we feel it's important to give our technicians and post-production team a little more time to bring out their best with absolute perfection. It is our duty to give you nothing but the best theatrical experience. So, we've decided to push the release of the film to June.\" Stating that the exact date of release would be announced very soon, the makers thanked fans for their continued support and patience. \"It truly means a lot to us,\" the film unit had said. 'Peddi', which has triggered huge excitement among fans and film buffs, has been in the limelight right from the time it was first announced. The film brings together a strong cast with Janhvi Kapoor playing the leading lady. Senior actors Shiva Rajkumar, Jagapathi Babu, Divyenndu, and Boman Irani will all be seen playing important parts in this film. On the technical side, the movie is backed by some of the best in the industry. R Rathnavelu is handling the camera work, Navin Nooli is in charge of editing, and Avinash Kolla has designed the film’s massive and detailed sets."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/afRdv8BOoF08xh7z_peddiwrapped.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-05-01T05:01:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"peddi-shooting-wrapped"}}]},"three":{"edges":[{"node":{"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Why Preity Wouldn’t Call a Co-Star in Trouble"},"content":{"text":"Actress Preity Zinta had once revealed why she would not call actor Saif Ali Khan in a time of crisis.  During her appearance on the second season of the reality chat show, \"Koffee with Karan\", Preity shared that Saif had sent her a funny message while she was stuck in the Tsunami, facing a near-death experience. When host Karan Johar asked the 'Veer-Zaara' actress, \"Who is the last person from the film industry you would think of in the following situation? If you were kidnapped, who is the last person you would call?\" Responding to the question, Preity named Saif.  Sharing the reason, Preity went on to explain, \"Because I was in the tsunami and I had the worst experience of my life , and he sends me a message going, \"Hey, PZ, underwater or what?\" I was just like, \"Ah! What kind of a guy is he?\"\". For those who do not know, a massive tsunami struck the coasts of the Indian Ocean on December 26, 2004, resulting in a loss of more than 2,30,000 people in around 14 countries.  Preity, who was holidaying with her friends in Phuket at the time, was also stuck in the natural disaster. She has spoken about the traumatic experience on several occasions. It must also be noted that Preity has shared screen space with Saif in not one but two praiseworthy dramas, \"Kal Ho Naa Ho\" and \"Salaam Namaste\". Their natural chemistry was highly palpable in both these dramas. Up next, Preity is gearing up to make her comeback to the big screen with \"Lahore 1947\". Directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, the project will see Sunny Deol as the lead, along with Shabana Azmi, Ali Fazal, and Abhimanyu Singh in significant roles. Backed by Bollywood actor Aamir Khan, \"Lahore 1947\" has been set against the backdrop of the partition of India."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/Z_jsz-vxEdbNO5qz_preity.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-05-01T09:30:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"why-preity-wouldnt-call-a-co-star-in-trouble"}}]},"four":{"edges":[{"node":{"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"C.V. Anand takes charge as T'gana DGP"},"content":{"text":"With the Maoist problem almost eliminated, Telangana Police will revamp the department to focus on new areas of crime, said new Director General of Police C. V. Anand on Friday. He told a press conference after taking charge as the state police chief that the functioning of the department will be reviewed, and some areas will be revamped. He pointed out that in the 1980s and 1990s, certain wings like Greyhounds and Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) were created to tackle the Naxal problem. “Now that the Maoist problem is almost eliminated, it’s not correct to continue the personnel,” he said. While stating that the chances of revival of the Maoist movement are remote, the DGP said they would take all precautions to make sure that the problem does not arise again. He emphasised the need for innovative thinking and redeployment of the personnel to tackle new problems. Anand said some units, which are very important but were not given proper attention or sufficient manpower due to a lack of staff in the past, would be strengthened. Referring to vacancies, the DGP said the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister told the department to focus on revamp by identifying unnecessary attachments and unnecessary deployments. Stating that road safety would be one of the top priorities, Anand said the Traffic Management and Road Safety Bureau will be created on the lines of the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) and Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement (EAGLE) established in recent years. He said the proposed body would work to standardise traffic management practices and ensure uniformity in the implementation of traffic rules across the state to prevent accidents and reduce the number of fatalities. He noted that every year, 8,500 people die in road accidents across the state. Highlighting the magnitude of the traffic problem, he said every day 1,600 new vehicles are coming on the roads in four commissionerates in Greater Hyderabad. Stating that Telangana Police emerged as the number one police in the country with revolutionary changes and innovation in all sectors in recent years, Anand said under his leadership, it would continue its journey in the same direction by using the latest technology. Saying that while Telangana Police have a good record in maintaining law and order, he acknowledged that in a few places, the failure of the field-level officials to anticipate communal incidents and other law and order issues was creating problems. “My effort will be to see that all officials improve this quality,” he said. Appreciating the work being done by TGCSB in tackling cybercrimes, he underlined the need for the active participation of field-level officers, Superintendents, Police and Commissioners of Police. The DGP said narcotics control would be one of his top priorities. While noting that EAGLE and Hyderabad Narcotics Enforcement Wing (H-NE) were doing commendable work, he stated that all SPs should also conduct anti-narcotics operations. Anand said that to prevent the drug menace in school and college campuses, the department would focus on awareness. Anti-drugs committees in educational institutions will be activated with the involvement of education and other departments. Earlier, senior police officials extended a warm welcome to Anand upon his arrival at the DGP office. The newly-appointed DGP received a guard of honour from the police and later assumed charge as the head of the police force."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/afRxcsBOoF08xiDg_CVAnandDGP.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-01T08:30:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"c.v.-anand-takes-charge-as-tgana-dgp"}}]},"five":{"edges":[]},"review":{"edges":[{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment","featured","one"],"data":{"title":{"text":"Review: 'Raja Shivaji'"},"content":{"text":"Riteish Deshmukh returns to direction with Raja Shivaji, and the ambition here is immediately evident. Taking on the roles of actor, writer, and director, he reshapes the familiar historical biopic into something more reflective and immersive. Told through a chapter-based narrative in a bilingual format, the film unfolds less like a conventional drama and more like a carefully written manuscript, measured, deliberate, and emotionally layered. What stands out most is the film’s clear intent: this is not a story of war, but of a warrior. There are no overwhelming, large-scale battle sequences designed purely for spectacle. Instead, the narrative chooses to focus on the making of Shivaji Maharaj, his thoughts, his influences, and the journey that shaped him into a leader. This approach gives the film a quieter strength, allowing it to connect on a more personal level. A significant portion of the film is devoted to Shivaji’s early years and coming-of-age. It thoughtfully explores the lesser-known aspects of his upbringing, placing strong emphasis on the role of his mother, Jijabai. Her presence becomes the emotional anchor of the story, illustrating how values, vision, and resilience were instilled in him long before he became a legendary figure. The focus on family and formative relationships adds richness, making his evolution feel deeply human rather than mythic. At the center, Riteish Deshmukh delivers a restrained and composed performance. His portrayal avoids excessive grandeur, instead leaning into stillness and quiet intensity. As a filmmaker, he shows notable control allowing moments to breathe and trusting the material rather than overdramatizing it. Genelia Deshmukh’s involvement is felt in the film’s emotional texture. There’s a softness in how relationships are handled, a sensitivity that balances the larger historical canvas. This is especially evident in the film’s quieter passages, where personal moments are given as much importance as political developments. Young Rahyl Deshmukh brings a natural charm to the role of the young Shivaji, capturing innocence and curiosity in a way that makes the early chapters particularly engaging and heartfelt. Among the supporting cast, Vidya Balan as Badi Begam leaves a strong impression with a performance marked by subtlety and intelligence. She brings both emotional depth and political nuance without resorting to overt dramatics. Sanjay Dutt’s Afzal Khan is equally compelling - his portrayal carries an underlying tension, defined by cunning, cruelty, and a quiet, looming menace that makes him deeply unsettling.   Fardeen Khan’s Shah Jahan is defined by restraint. Much of his presence is built around observation and waiting particularly in moments linked to the completion of the Taj Mahal giving the character a composed, watchful quality rather than overt authority. Abhishek Bachchan, as Sambhaji, delivers one of the film’s more emotionally layered performances, reflecting the burden of legacy with quiet internal conflict. A brief but impactful cameo by Salman Khan as Jiva Mahala adds emotional weight. The moment resonates not because of scale, but because of the personal loyalty it represents. The supporting ensemble including Bhagyashree as Jijabai, Sachin Khedekar, Mahesh Manjrekar, Boman Irani, Jitendra Joshi, and Amole Gupte ensures that the world feels complete and intentional. Each character contributes meaningfully to the narrative’s emotional and political fabric. Visually, Santosh Sivan’s cinematography lends the film a grounded grandeur. The landscapes feel authentic, and even the action is staged with clarity rather than chaos. Ajay–Atul’s music further elevates the experience, maintaining an emotional rhythm that complements the storytelling without overwhelming it. The blend of Marathi and Hindi elements adds cultural authenticity. Backed by Jio Studios and produced by Jyoti Deshpande and Genelia Deshmukh under Mumbai Film Company, the film maintains a fine balance between scale and discipline. Its ambition is evident, but it never loses control of its narrative focus. While Raja Shivaji is designed as a Pan-India film, it carries a special resonance for audiences in Mumbai and Maharashtra. Releasing around Maharashtra Day, it feels like more than just a cinematic event, it comes across as a heartfelt cultural tribute.  More than a tale of war, it stands as a lesson in leadership, resilience, and pride, one that deserves to be known and felt by every Indian. Director: Riteish Deshmukh,   Cast: Riteish Deshmukh, Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Mahesh Manjrekar, Sachin Khedekar, Bhagyashree, Fardeen Khan, Jitendra Joshi, Amole Gupte, Genelia Deshmukh and others"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/afRcDsBOoF08xh7T_rajashivaji.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-05-01T06:54:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bgy00eaFyhE"}},"uid":"review-raja-shivaji"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"title":{"text":"Review: 'Decoit'"},"content":{"text":"Known for consistently choosing unique scripts and achieving back-to-back successes in his career, Adivi Sesh took a brief hiatus before making this film. Initially, Shruti Haasan was selected as the female lead; however, she stepped down due to various reasons. Subsequently, Mrunal Thakur was cast as the heroine. With Mrunal's inclusion, expectations surrounding the film soared even higher. Let's see in this review to what extent the film managed to live up to those expectations. Story:  Haridas (Adivi Sesh) and Saraswathi (Mrunal Thakur)—a couple who fell in love and got married—end up separating amidst a series of unexpected circumstances. Haridas lands in prison in connection with a murder case. It is due to Saraswathi that Haridas finds himself incarcerated for the murder. Consequently, he resolves to exact revenge upon her. After escaping from prison, Haridas hatches a plan to flee to Dubai.To facilitate this, he requires a certain amount of money. In the process of trying to acquire those funds, he crosses paths with Saraswathi—only to discover that she has since remarried.  While her husband suffers from a severe illness, Saraswathi faces immense hardships while raising their child. At this critical juncture, what steps does Haridas—who is intent on exacting revenge upon Saraswathi—take? Furthermore, why did Haridas and Saraswathi—who had fallen deeply in love and married—eventually part ways? And how did Haridas become entangled in a murder case? To uncover the answers to these questions, one must watch the film. Performances: It is a well-known fact that Adivi Sesh has repeatedly proven his mettle as an actor. Once again, he has impressed audiences with his performance. Rather than merely acting in the role of Haridas, one could say he truly lived the character; such was the caliber of Adivi Sesh's performance. He earns high praise, particularly for his work in several emotional and action sequences. He also captivated viewers with a look that perfectly suited the demands of the role. Additionally, Adivi Sesh impressed with his acting in the romantic scenes. Overall, although his character in this film is quite distinct from his previous roles, he adapted to it seamlessly and delivered a compelling performance. Mrunal Thakur’s character holds immense significance within the film's narrative. However, in terms of the screenplay, her role did not receive as much prominence as it deserved. It must be noted that there were no specific scenes that truly challenged her to deliver a tour-de-force performance. Mrunal’s acting in the romantic scenes was engaging, while her performance in some of the emotional sequences was merely passable.  Atul Kulkarni did complete justice to his role. As for Anurag Kashyap, he made a strong impression within the limited screen time he was allotted; however, his character certainly warranted greater prominence. The actors who played the supporting roles delivered decent performances. Technical: Director Shaniel Deo chose a unique premise for the story. However, it must be said that he failed to flesh it out into a cohesive narrative. He drove the plot forward using routine sequences; in particular, several scenes felt like rehashes of moments seen in countless other films. There is nothing particularly noteworthy to mention regarding the screenplay either.  As for the music provided by Bheems, there is little to discuss; only one song felt somewhat passable. Bheems failed to impress even with the background score. Although it felt adequate in a scene or two, the music ultimately proved to be a detriment to the film as a whole.  The cinematography was good in certain sequences—specifically, some shots effectively conveyed the sense of being transported back in time. The production values ​​were commendable. Analysis: Compared to Adivi Sesh's previous films, this movie stands out as a distinctly different kind of project. However, the outcome of this film implicitly suggests that if Adivi Sesh were to attempt a movie within a conventional, formulaic format, his dedicated fan base would likely reject it.  The director steered the film using a stereotypical story and narrative structure. Despite Adivi Sesh's undeniable talent, the lack of a strong grip on the screenplay rendered the entire effort futile—much like pouring precious perfume into the ashes. Rumors had already surfaced during the filming stage regarding creative differences over certain scenes.  It appears that, this time around, Adivi Sesh's judgment may have faltered. Mrunal Thakur did justice to her role; however, she should have been given a bit more prominence. The director ought to have exercised greater care regarding the screenplay. Plus Points: Adivi Sesh Cinematography Anurag Kashyap Minus Points: The Heroine's Role Music Story and Screenplay In Conclusion: A story and screenplay that fail to impress. Banner: Annapurna Studios, SS Creations Direction: Shaniyel Deo Producers: Supriya Yarlagadda, Sunil Narang Music: Bheems Ceciroleo Cast: Adivi Sesh, Mrunal Thakur, Atul Kulkarni, Vaibhav, Anurag Kashyap, and others"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/adjfdp1ZCF7ETENe_dacoit.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-04-10T06:31:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"review-decoit"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"title":{"text":"Review: 'Biker'"},"content":{"text":"It is a well-known fact that the summer season is crucial for Tollywood. This summer was originally scheduled to kick off with a major release starring Ram Charan; however, due to various reasons, that film was postponed. Stepping in to fill that void, Sharwanand has arrived before the audience today with his film, 'Biker.'  The filmmakers have consistently asserted that—until now—no full-fledged bike racing movie has ever graced the Indian screen, making this the very first of its kind. Having assured the public that the film would captivate audiences, let us see in this review whether 'Biker' lives up to those claims. Story: Vikas Narayan—known as Vicky (Sharwanand)—is a top-tier motocross racer who suddenly decides to quit the sport. While fully immersed in leading a family life, Vicky unexpectedly finds his interest and passion for racing reignited due to unforeseen circumstances. Consequently, he returns to his father and mentor, Sunil Narayan (Rajasekhar).  What events unfold during this reunion? Furthermore, what is the true nature of the bond shared between this father-son duo—Sunil and Vicky? The film's premise revolves around why Vicky gives up racing, only to return to the sport many years later. Although the storyline itself is quite simple, the film is driven primarily by its screenplay. Performances: Regardless of the film or the nature of the role, we consistently see Sharwanand impressing audiences with his acting prowess. In this latest outing, he once again poured his heart and soul into the character of Vicky. Sharwanand appears in two distinct age groups within the film, and he delivers a convincing performance tailored perfectly to each phase of the character's life.  Furthermore, Sharwanand earns high marks once again for his execution of both emotional and romantic scenes. As a biker, he makes a sincere effort to impress through his body language. His romantic scenes with the female lead are engaging. Overall, Sharwanand delivers a commendable performance as a biker. Rajasekhar makes a return to the silver screen after a long hiatus. He is cast in the role of Sharwanand's father—a character that, despite being a paternal figure, is accorded significant importance within the narrative. Rajasekhar effectively conveys the emotional depth of the role, bringing the character to life with great conviction. Rajasekhar's acting requires no special mention; he has once again proven his mettle as a performer.  Regarding the female lead, while her character holds significance within the story's plot, it must be noted that she does not receive the expected level of prominence in the actual screenplay. Nevertheless, she delivers a decent performance within the scope provided to her. There is not much to specifically discuss regarding the performances of the other supporting cast members.  Technical: Director Abhilash should have chosen a stronger storyline. It appears he intended to carry the film solely through his direction and screenplay. He really should have put more effort into refining the story itself. Such a thin storyline demands a robust screenplay; however, the director did not fully succeed in that regard either. There are flaws in the editing.  Some of the bike racing sequences occasionally feel tedious. While the film might appeal to racing enthusiasts, regular audiences are likely to wear expressions of exasperation, thinking, \"That's enough—please make it stop!\"  The cinematography is commendable; the camera work in certain racing sequences is particularly impressive. As for the music, there is nothing particularly noteworthy to mention, though it must be acknowledged that the music director did manage to succeed with the background score in a few isolated moments. The production values ​​are good. Analysis: It would have been more effective had the director first provided the audience with a foundational understanding of bike racing before immersing them in the narrative. As it stands, the film is truly engaging only for those who already possess prior knowledge of racing. Specifically, racing aficionados are the ones who will likely watch and enjoy this movie.  However, the average commercial audience is bound to be left bewildered—staring blankly and wondering, \"What exactly is this?\" While the audience may connect with a few of the emotional scenes scattered throughout the film, that connection often feels abruptly severed almost immediately. Overall, the director failed to craft a film that would truly resonate with the audience or leave a lasting impression on their hearts.  The director steered the film as if its sole purpose were to showcase bike racing. It remains unclear whether he simply forgot that a movie requires a blend of various elements, or if he naively assumed that the presence of emotion and racing sequences alone would suffice to bring everything else together. However, it must be stated that the average moviegoer is unlikely to enjoy 'Biker'.  Sharwanand put in a tremendous amount of effort. It was a wise decision to cast Rajasekhar in this role; the combination of these two actors held the potential to create something truly spectacular. Unfortunately, the director failed to effectively utilize their talents to deliver a hit film. Apart from those with a specific passion for bike racing, regular family audiences will find it difficult to connect with this movie. It is simply not possible to carry an entire film on the strength of just a few emotional scenes. Plus Points: Sharwanand Rajasekhar A few racing sequences Minus Points: Story and Screenplay Slow pacing in the first half Some racing sequences felt tedious Certain scenes were overly melodramatic Conclusion: While Sharwanand was impressive in his portrayal of a biker, the film ultimately failed to appeal to family audiences. Banner: UV Creations Producers: Vamsi, Pramod Direction: Abhilash Reddy Music: Ghibran Cast: Sharwanand, Rajasekhar, Malavika Nair, Atul Kulkarni, and others"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/ac96upGXnQHGZPjo_biker.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-04-03T06:31:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"review-biker---for-those-who-love-racing"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"title":{"text":"Review: 'Ustaad Bhagat Singh'"},"content":{"text":"Everyone is well aware of the massive success achieved by Gabbar Singh—a film released many years ago, starring Pawan Kalyan as the lead and directed by Harish Shankar. Consequently, expectations for this film have soared to great heights. In this review, let us see whether Director Harish Shankar has managed to live up to those expectations. Story: A teacher (K.S. Ravikumar), who dedicates himself to supporting the education of tribal children, notices a particular young boy in the region who stands out as truly special. The teacher adopts the boy, raises him, and molds him into a police officer.  That officer is Ustaad Bhagat Singh (Pawan Kalyan)—a man who not only accomplishes whatever he sets his mind to but also stands at the forefront whenever and wherever corruption or injustice rears its head.  The story revolves around how Ustaad Bhagat Singh thwarts the schemes of an individual who seeks to seize power by assassinating the state's Chief Minister. Simply put, this is the story of a powerful police officer. Performances: There is no need to speak separately about Pawan Kalyan's performance; it speaks for itself. There is absolutely no doubt that he does complete justice to any role assigned to him. Pawan Kalyan has done full justice to the character of Ustaad Bhagat Singh as well. Delivering a powerful performance in a commanding role, he captivated the audience without ever compromising on his signature style of entertainment.  Furthermore, his impeccable comedic timing earned him the appreciation of his fans. Pawan Kalyan was equally impressive in the romantic sequences. He also delighted the audience by showcasing a few dance moves in the musical numbers.  Overall, Pawan Kalyan delivered a captivating performance that truly defined the concept of a \"one-man show.\" Typically, heroines do not play a very significant role in Pawan Kalyan's films; this trend continued in this movie as well. The character played by the lead actress, Sreeleela, lacked substantial importance. Nevertheless, she delivered a decent performance within the limited scope of her role. The other heroine, Raashi Khanna, was confined to a single song sequence. She did not feel integral to the plot; in fact, her absence from the film would not have made any significant difference to the narrative.  The supporting cast members performed adequately within the confines of their respective roles. Technical: It appeared that Director Harish Shankar focused his attention entirely on the screenplay and Pawan Kalyan's character, rather than on the core storyline itself. Several of his dialogues were crafted to deliver a definite \"kick\" to the fans. Moreover, the director clearly understood exactly how the fans wished to see Pawan Kalyan portrayed on screen, and he presented him in the film accordingly.  The director succeeded in crafting dialogues that perfectly complemented Pawan Kalyan's distinct body language. The screenplay was passable. The direction falls short, the storyline is weak, and the cinematography is merely passable.  The music provided by Devi Sri Prasad is decent, to a certain extent. The fact that the songs did not turn out to be blockbusters is a drawback; however, the background score provided by Thaman stands out as a major highlight of the film. The production values ​​are commendable, though there are occasional flaws in the editing. Analysis: Whenever a Pawan Kalyan film is announced, it captures the attention not only of his fans but of audiences from all walks of life. Speculations abound—regarding the kind of story he might choose or whether the film will live up to the stature he currently commands—and expectations inevitably soar. There is absolutely no doubt that meeting such high expectations is a monumental challenge for any director.  In this film, Director Harish Shankar presents Pawan Kalyan in a simple, straightforward manner—devoid of heavy-handed social messages or overly dramatic, \"powerful\" dialogues—while crafting his lines in a way that specifically appeals to his fan base. It has been proven once again that Harish Shankar possesses a keen understanding of exactly what fans expect from a Pawan Kalyan film. Director Harish Shankar knew that if Pawan Kalyan delivered the kind of high-energy entertainment reminiscent of Gabbar Singh, his fans would undoubtedly embrace it wholeheartedly. Consequently, he devised a strategy to focus exclusively on showcasing Pawan Kalyan's persona and delivering pure entertainment, without getting bogged down in the intricacies of the plot or other narrative elements.  While his approach certainly resonates with the fans, the general audience may be left feeling that something more is missing. Ultimately, the film feels as though it was crafted exclusively for the enjoyment of Pawan Kalyan's devoted fan base. Pawan Kalyan's previous film, OG, also felt as though it was made specifically for his fans. Once again, this movie appears to have been crafted solely to satisfy Pawan Kalyan's fan base. General audiences may choose to wait until the film becomes available on OTT platforms. Plus Points: Pawan Kalyan, Comedy Select scenes Minus Points: Story and Screenplay Roles of the Heroines Roles of the Villains Verdict: For Pawan Kalyan's fans..."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/abuyNrbci2UF6P_u_UBS.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-03-19T07:22:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"review-ustaad-bhagat-singh---treat-for-fans-only"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"title":{"text":"Review: 'Vishnu Vinyasam' - Routine Entertainer"},"content":{"text":"This film, starring Sree Vishnu, who has acquired a special image by choosing different films, did not have much publicity from the beginning. But there was a bit of a rush during the release. The hype for this film increased in the wake of the publicity that two films starring Sree Vishnu were coming out at the same time. So how is this film? Let's see in this review whether the matter in this film is up to the increased hype. Story: Vishnu (Sree Vishnu) is a junior lecturer at Ongole Pragathi Junior College. He believes in Vastu a lot and pays a lot of attention to horoscopes. He believes a little too much in numerology. Manisha (Nayan Sarika) enters Vishnu's life. Manisha loves Vishnu at first sight. Manisha has a problem. Because of that problem, no one comes forward to marry her. But Manisha loves Vishnu without telling him about it.  After both of them fall deeply in love, Manisha tells Vishnu the real thing. Will Vishnu then say okay to marry Manisha? What is that problem that Manisha has so far? You have to watch the movie to know. Actors' performance: Sree Vishnu has been impressing in recent times as he has made a name for himself in comedy roles. He has already earned the reputation of playing confusing roles. Moreover, as expected, since this is a confusing role in this film, Srivishnu impressed. He acted in an impressive manner and impressed. His expressions make you laugh. Apart from that, he acted in a memorable way in his role.  The heroine Nayan Sarika impressed with her beauty. Even though she was mostly seen in a saree, she sparkled with beauty here and there. Along with her impressive beauty, she impressed with her acting. Her acting in some scenes was good. Especially in some scenes, her acting was the main attraction of the film.  The actors who played other roles impressed within the scope of their roles. Technical: Although the subject taken by director Yadunath Maruthirao is very routine, he impressed with the entertainment he handled. More care should have been taken in the screenplay. It seemed that some scenes were jumped. There are errors in editing. Especially some scenes are like front, back... back, front. That makes it confusing at times.  There is nothing much to say about the music. But in some scenes of the film, it seems that the background score is not important. The production values ​​are good. The cinematography is not important. Analysis: It seems that hero Srivishnu has accepted this film after seeing the support that entertainment films have been getting in recent times. The story is very routine. Recently, too, a film came out in which the hero had three beliefs. If you watch this film within a few months of its release, it has been proven once again that if this subject is handled with comedy, the audience will support it.  The director has handled this film in a completely entertaining way. But there are some errors in the screenplay. There is some confusion in the placement of scenes. The first half came out very well. After the entertaining first half, it must be said that the second half has decreased a bit. The director succeeded in revealing the twist. However, even though there is another twist in the climax, it did not work out well. Overall, the movie is a good entertainer, but you have to enjoy the magic without logic. Plus points: Sree Vishnu, Nayan Sarika Comedy, Satya, other comedians Minus points: Some scenes without logic, Some scenes in the second half, Music, editing. Finally.. It would be good if you enjoy the entertainment without looking at whether there is no logic or not. Banner: Sree Subrahmanyeshwara Cinemas Producer: Sumanth Naidu Director: Yadunath Maruthi Rao Music: Rathan Cast: Sree Vishnu, Nayan Sarika, Satya, Murali Sharma, Brahmaji and others"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aaFsmMFoBIGEg6rI_vishnuvinyasam.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-02-27T09:30:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkkMjnbLZHw"}},"uid":"review-vishnu-vinyasam---routine-entertainer"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"title":{"text":"Review: 'O’Romeo'"},"content":{"text":"Inspired by true events, Sajid Nadiadwala's O'Romeo encompasses layered elements of emotions, story and characters that are thoughtfully crafted. Starring Shahid Kapoor, Triptii Dimri, Avinash Tiwary, Nana Patekar, Farida Jalal, followed by Disha Patani, Tamannaah Bhatia &amp; Vikrant Massey in a special appearances O'Romeo is a visual treat. Vishal Bhardwaj's direction is seamlessly balanced between the mass and class appeal. His sharp attention to even the minute details truly yet again proves his eye for nuanced filmmaking. The jaw dropping action sequences performed by Shahid Kapoor, Avinash Tiwary is arresting and even Triptii Dimri impresses with her action skills making the hype and high anticipation around the film all worth it. The performances by each actor is refined, outstanding and in one word perfect.Shahid Kapoor as Ustara is mind boggling and O'Romeo surely stands as one of his finest roles. Triptii Dimri as Afshan has the innocence yet when required the zeal and fire for revenge. Avinash Tiwary as Jalal is unexpected and unrecognisable. The head tattoo adds to his menacing look and the ruthless character that he plays on screen. The chemistry between Shahid and Triptii feels fresh, intensely passionate and yet they never make you feel this is the first time they are sharing screen space together. Audiences are in for a visual treat with Farida Jalal's fiery dialogues and Nana Patekar's raw and unfiltered dialogue delivery and magnetic screen presence. The humour of the film is something that is strategically placed and doesn't disrupt the emotional intensity. Vishal Bhardwaj can never go wrong when it comes to music. Each music track is immensely soul stirring and melody that you will connect to. The dance numbers be it Aashiqon ki colony, paan ki dukaan has an unmatched energy and makes you want to shake a leg. What grabs your attention is also what a phenomenal dancer Shahid and Disha are and how beautifully they have been brought together in the popular tracks of the movie. Sajid Nadiadwala adds another impressive visionary movie to his legacy with O'Romeo after some of the most inspiring and milestone movies like Chhichhore, 83,Tamasha, Chandu Champion and more."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aY7_mFWLo0XkEfK7_ORomeo.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-02-13T06:15:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2M4hKmuBzUU"}},"uid":"review-oromeo"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"title":{"text":"Review: 'Anaganaga Oka Raju'"},"content":{"text":"Naveen Polishetty, who gained immense popularity overnight as a hero with the film Jathi Ratnalu, has been making films slowly and steadily without much fanfare. His film with Anushka, Miss Shetty Mr. Polishetty, was considered decent, but some felt it wasn't a film befitting Naveen's image. Naveen started this film with his own script. Even though the director changed, he took the lead in carrying the film forward. From the beginning of the film's production, they have been conducting promotions in a way that raised expectations. Let's see how the film is in this review.  Story: Raju (Naveen Polishetty), who belongs to a zamindar family, lives a respectable life in the village by invoking his ancestors' name, even though he has lost all his properties. Although he is a zamindar's heir in name, Raju faces financial difficulties. Even though he has lost all his fields and properties, he continues to be called a zamindar in the village by mentioning his grandfather's name. He thinks that to solve all his problems, he needs to marry a very wealthy girl. He looks at many prospective matches for this purpose. Finally, he meets Charulata (Meenakshi Chaudhary). Upon learning that she is the daughter of the very wealthy Bhupathi Raju (Rao Ramesh), he undertakes \"Operation Charulata\" to make her fall in love with him.  Charulata falls for his plan, and Raju and Charu get married in a grand ceremony. After the marriage, Raju learns some shocking things, and his situation becomes even worse than before the wedding. How does Raju get out of these circumstances? Does Raju manage to overcome his financial problems as he had hoped? What he does in response to that is the film's plot.  Actors' Performance: It's evident from watching the film that Naveen Polishetty carried the entire burden of the movie on his shoulders. Naveen impressed with his comedic timing. He captivated with his signature mannerisms and also impressed with his dialogues and dance. He also attracted everyone's attention by performing an action sequence. There is no doubt that Naveen's comedic timing is the main attraction of the film. He dominated the entire film with his acting and comedy. Even though the entire film revolved around Naveen, he acted with balance and restraint without going overboard anywhere.  The heroine, Meenakshi Chaudhary, looks very beautiful. She has already earned good marks in terms of her looks. Although she seemed to overact in one or two places, her overall performance was impressive. Rao Ramesh impressed in his limited role. The actors in other roles performed adequately. However, none of them got the scope to deliver a great performance.  Technical Aspects: The director tried to make the story completely entertaining. In that process, the comedy scenes he wrote were somewhat funny. However, every scene felt like something seen before, like something that had made people laugh before. The writing was particularly poor in the second half. It is known that Naveen is one of the writers of this film. It doesn't seem like he gave much importance to other characters except for his own.  There is nothing much to say about the music. While one song was somewhat decent, overall, the songs and background score were not great. The cinematography is good; the beauty of the village was captured well. There are many complaints regarding the editing. The second half, in particular, needed significant trimming. The production values ​​are in line with the story.  Analysis: The fact that Naveen Polishetty is releasing his film knowing that there are big films releasing for Sankranthi suggests he had a lot of confidence in his movie. His statements before the film's release also generated interest. He conducted promotional activities in a way that attracted everyone's attention. However, his complete control over the script and the lack of importance given to any character other than his own resulted in the entire film revolving around Naveen. Despite this, the first half felt decent and progressed with comedy.  However, despite a major problem in the second half, it's unclear why he's contesting in elections and making various attempts to win them. Only Naveen knows why a person from one village is contesting elections in another village. The entire second half proceeded illogically, like magic. While logic isn't always necessary for such entertainment films, assuming that the audience will accept and believe anything shown to them can backfire. That's what happened here. The illogical scenes and screenplay became excessive. The villain had no importance whatsoever; everyone stood before the hero like sheep. The audience won't stand for that. Therefore, it remains to be seen how well the audience will receive the king's entertainment.  Plus points: Naveen Polishetty Some comedy scenes First half.  Minus points: Second half Illogical scenes Routine climax Music  Conclusion... This entertainment is not enough for the Sankranthi competition, Raju.  Banner: Sithara Entertainments  Producers: Naga Vamsi, Sai Soujanya  Director: Mari  Music: Mickey J. Meyer  Cast: Naveen Polishetty, Meenakshi Chaudhary, Rao Ramesh, Tharak Ponnappa and others"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aWdkoQIvOtkhBfM4_AnaganagaOkaRaju.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-01-14T07:42:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSGVbEZHgSQ"}},"uid":"review-anaganaga-oka-raju"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"title":{"text":"Review: 'Bhartha Mahasayulaku Wignyapthi'"},"content":{"text":"Mass Maharaja Ravi Teja has been struggling with a series of flops. The recent film 'Mass Jathara' further disappointed his fans. Recovering quickly from that flop, Ravi Teja made this film at a very fast pace. Director Kishore Tirumala has crafted this film as a family entertainer. It was promoted as a good family entertainer for this Sankranthi season. Let's see in this review whether the film lives up to those expectations.  Story: Ram (Ravi Teja) and Balamani (Dimple Hayathi) are husband and wife. They lead a very harmonious life together. While their married life is going smoothly, due to some unexpected events, Ram unexpectedly meets Manasa Shetty (Ashika Ranganath) from Spain, and a physical relationship develops between them.  After returning from Spain, Ram is troubled by this incident. That's when Manasa comes to Hyderabad. This leads to more problems for Ram. Ram tries to tell Manasa that he is married. What happens in the end? How do the two women play games with Ram? That's the story of the film.  Actors' Performance: Ravi Teja, as always, impressed with his energetic performance. It has been proven once again that he can easily handle such roles. Although being caught between two women is a somewhat new subject for Ravi Teja, he was still captivating. With his trademark mannerisms, Ravi Teja was decent in creating humor through awkward situations and interactions between the two female leads. However, he failed to impress in the songs. In some scenes, his age was clearly visible. Overall, it must be said that Ravi Teja tried his best to deliver full-fledged entertainment.  Among the heroines, Dimple Hayathi deserves special mention. She played Ravi Teja's wife. Her character was portrayed as both traditional and beautiful. However, in some scenes, it feels like another actress would have been a better fit for this role than Dimple. There wasn't much scope for acting. Dimple was decent with what she had. Ashika impressed with her beauty. She played the role of a girl who takes revenge on the person who cheated her. Her character also had only moderate scope for acting. However, overall, Dimple Hayathi impressed in the role of Manasa that she was given.  Technical Aspects: Director Kishore Tirumala should have written a stronger story. He claimed to have managed with the screenplay despite the simple story. He tried to drive the narrative with entertainment. However, he should have presented the story in a more engaging way for the audience. Some dialogues were good, while others were very clichéd.  Bheems' music was average. The songs were not very impressive. The background score was also just average. The cinematography was average. The cinematography was good in some of the foreign location scenes. There were flaws in the editing. Some scenes in the second half feel dragged out. The production values ​​are in line with the story.  Analysis: From the beginning, the unit members have been saying that this film delivers the kind of entertainment that audiences expect from Ravi Teja. Many films have been made in the past about a man caught between two women. Director Kishore has tried to bring back the same story with a new backdrop. It must be said that the director has succeeded to a certain extent in making the film's screenplay entertaining.  Despite the routine story, he managed to evoke laughter in places with the screenplay he chose. He also kept the story moving forward without becoming boring. However, when there is a very strong family entertainer playing alongside it, this film needed to be even better. It needed to be a superior family entertainer. But since the film is only moderately entertaining, it remains to be seen how much the audience will support this film.  Plus Points: Some comedy scenes First half Serial song  Minus Points: Routine story Narrative Some scenes in the second half  Finally... A request to all husbands... A routine entertainer  Banner: SLV Cinemas  Producer: Sudhakar Cherukuri  Director: Kishore Tirumala  Music: Bheems Ceciroleo  Cast: Ravi Teja, Dimple Hayathi, Ashika Ranganath, Sunil, Tharak Ponnappa, Soni, Vennela Kishore, Satya, and others"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aWYRSgIvOtkhBbFi_BMW.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-01-13T08:33:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7PJpctfx3Q"}},"uid":"review-bhartha-mahasayulaku-wignyapthi"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"title":{"text":"Review: 'Mana Shankaravaraprasad Garu'"},"content":{"text":"After delivering the biggest blockbuster with 'Sankranthi Ki Vastunnam' alongside Venkatesh for Sankranthi 2025, Anil Ravipudi is being called the 'Sankranthi Director'. In this context, ever since the announcement that Anil would be coming with a film starring the Megastar for Sankranthi, everyone has been eagerly waiting to see how it would turn out. Moreover, with Venkatesh also in the film and every song released becoming a hit, the expectations increased even further. Let's see in this review whether Anil Ravipudi lived up to the expectations, continued his Sankranthi sentiment, and delivered a hit.  Story: Shankaravaraprasad (Chiranjeevi) is a National Security Officer. Due to certain reasons, he divorces his wife Shashirekha (Nayanthara). At the time of the divorce, they have two children. Shashirekha, who is one of the wealthiest women in the country, takes precautions to prevent Shankaravaraprasad from even meeting his children. After a long time, Shankaravaraprasad gets the opportunity to see his children. At that time, realizing that his children are longing for their father's love, he decides to get closer to Shashirekha again.  What does Shankaravaraprasad do for this? A certain circumstance leads him to become a security officer at Shashirekha's house. What is that circumstance? What happened in the end? Will the divorced couple reunite? This is the storyline of the film.  Actors' Performance: No amount of praise is enough for Megastar Chiranjeevi's performance. From the beginning, fans eagerly awaited seeing Chiranjeevi's vintage comedy in this film. They got exactly what they hoped for from Chiranjeevi. He entertained with his unique mannerisms, just like he did in his brother's film and some other movies. He impressed in dance, action, drama, and everything else. He was particularly outstanding in some of the comedy scenes. The director fully utilized Chiranjeevi's potential. It felt like Chiranjeevi completely surrendered to the director's vision.  Venkatesh impressed in his role. His look and body language were captivating as always. Venkatesh excelled, especially in the scenes with Chiranjeevi. It must be said that the film's second half definitely picked up because of Venkatesh's presence. The story revolves around Nayanthara's character, but she didn't get much scope to perform. The director designed her character to be serious throughout. Except for one or two scenes, there isn't much to say about Nayanthara's performance. However, she impressed with her look. As Chiranjeevi's leading lady and playing the role of the richest woman in the country, Nayanthara fit perfectly into the character. The other actors also performed well within the scope of their respective roles.  Technical Aspects: There is no doubt that the film, which is releasing for Sankranthi, became a super hit because of its musical success. Everyone doubted whether Bheem could deliver such songs and music again. Even Mega fans commented that Bheems was unnecessary. But unexpectedly, Bheem delivered music perfectly suited to Megastar Chiranjeevi's body language and Anil Ravipudi's screenplay and writing. Bheem's music became the main attraction of the film. He deserves credit for elevating the film not only with the songs but also with the background score.  Director Anil Ravipudi once again worked his magic with his screenplay. The story is very simple, and the premise he chose is also very simple, but he impressed with the screenplay woven around it, his direction, dialogues, and writing. It has been proven once again that Anil Ravipudi can create a sensation with his comedy. The cinematography is average. It must be said that such comedy films don't require exceptional cinematography. The cinematography is adequate for the film. Some scenes in the second half could have been trimmed. The production values ​​are quite good, in line with the story.  Analysis: With five films releasing for Sankranthi, especially with a pan-India superstar like Prabhas's Raja Saab also releasing, some expressed doubts about what kind of result our Manasankaravaraprasad would achieve. However, those who had faith in Anil Ravipudi's content and his comedy expressed the opinion from the beginning that Manasankaravaraprasad had a strong chance of being a big hit. And as expected, Anil Ravipudi has once again proven his mettle with this film.  Except for one or two scenes in the second half, the entire film was a full-fledged entertainer. Especially the comedy in the first half and the vintage songs featuring the Venky-Chiru combo in the second half are undoubtedly the highlights of the film. If a little more care had been taken with the second half, it would have been on another level. Even now, without a doubt, this film stands as a full-length entertainer for this Sankranthi.  For the fans and audience who were waiting to see what kind of comedy Anil Ravipudi would deliver with a megastar like Chiranjeevi, it can be said that the film provided entertaining content without any disappointment. With a couple of sentimental scenes, some action sequences, and songs, the film is good in all aspects.  Plus Points: Comedy, Chiranjeevi, Venky, Music, First Half  Minus Points: Some scenes in the second half  Finally... Just like Sankranthi 2025, there is no doubt that Sankranthi 2026 will also belong to Anil's entertainment.  Banner: Shine Screens, Gold Box Entertainments  Producers: Sahu Garapati, Sushmita Konidela  Director: Anil Ravipudi  Music: Bheems Ceciroleo  Cast: Chiranjeevi, Venkatesh, Nayanthara, Catherine Tresa, Sachin Khedekar, Sharath Saxena, Harshavardhan, Abhinav Gomatam and others"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aWQCvAIvOtkhBRbE_MSVPG2.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-01-11T20:06:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4CbAkPb468"}},"uid":"review-mana-shankaravaraprasad-garu"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"title":{"text":"Review: The RajaSaab"},"content":{"text":"Ever since Baahubali made him a pan-India superstar, expectations around Prabhas have been sky-high. Naturally, fans expect every film of his to match that scale. At such a time, when it was announced that Prabhas would be doing a film with Maruthi, a director known mainly for small-budget entertainers, many fans openly opposed the combination. There were even protests urging Prabhas not to do the film. However, ignoring fan pressure, Prabhas listened to Maruthi’s story and went ahead with Raja Saab. So how did the film turn out? Did it live up to Maruthi’s claims, or did it end up being the disappointment fans feared? Let’s find out in this review. Story: Raju, aka Raja Saab (Prabhas), shares a deep emotional bond with his grandmother Gangadevi (Zarina Wahab). Though she belongs to a zamindar family, she chooses to live a simple life with her grandson. As age catches up with her, Gangadevi begins to suffer from health issues, particularly memory loss. She repeatedly tells Raju about her late husband Kanakaraju (Sanjay Dutt), who appears in her dreams, and asks him to find and bring him back. Raju’s search leads him to a deserted royal palace hidden deep inside the Narsapur forest. Once there, shocking events unfold. Raju realizes that Kanakaraju is trying to kill both Gangadevi and him. What is hidden inside the palace? Why would a man who is supposedly dead want to kill his own wife and grandson? These questions form the crux of the story. Performances: Prabhas shoulders the entire film. In recent times, he has faced criticism for weak screen presence and limited screen time in some films. However, in Raja Saab, Prabhas is present throughout and impresses with his comic timing. That said, his romantic scenes with the heroines feel underwhelming, as usual. He performs well in action sequences and especially shines in the emotional moments during the climax. After a long time, audiences get to see a somewhat fresh version of Prabhas. There was a lot of buzz around Sanjay Dutt’s role, but unfortunately, his character offers very little scope for performance. Zarina Wahab stands out in her key role and shares a good on-screen rapport with Prabhas. The comedy by Satya and Saptagiri works to an extent, while VTV Ganesh once again succeeds in making Telugu audiences laugh. However, many of these characters feel familiar, as if we’ve seen them in similar roles before. Technical Aspects: Director Maruthi seems to have completely lost grip on the story. In trying to present Prabhas in a comedy-oriented role, he fails to maintain control over the screenplay. Both the narration and direction lack clarity and consistency. Maruthi’s direction ends up being one of the biggest drawbacks. Thaman’s music is disappointing from the start. None of the songs released before the film made an impact. Fans who had high hopes for the background score will also be let down, as it works only in one or two scenes. Cinematography is average and not particularly noteworthy. The VFX are a major letdown—despite claims of heavy investment and long production time, the visuals do not reflect that effort. Production values, however, are decent. Analysis: Everyone knows Prabhas is no longer a small-time hero, but Raja Saab makes one wonder if Maruthi forgot that fact. Showing Prabhas’ comic side does not require reducing his stature. His star image doesn’t need to be compromised for comedy. Audiences expect to see him presented at his current level, but Maruthi seems to have completely missed the opportunity. It’s hard to understand why Prabhas agreed to this film and how he believed Maruthi could deliver a movie that matches his stature. If the sole intention was to make a comedy film, choosing Maruthi turns out to be a big mistake. The same errors Prabhas made with Radhe Shyam seem to have been repeated here. Films that don’t match his level or lack strong content will no longer be accepted by audiences. Despite being promoted as a horror-comedy, Raja Saab lacks both genuine horror and effective comedy. This film proves that such a genre may not suit Prabhas. Maruthi is likely to face heavy criticism. Prabhas, however, does his part, offering some consolation to fans. Those expecting Bujjigadu or Darling-level comedy will be disappointed, but die-hard fans may still enjoy a few entertaining moments. Plus Points: Prabhas One or two comedy scenes Thaman’s background score in a few scenes Minus Points: Story and screenplay Maruthi’s direction Weak VFX Film not matching Prabhas’ star image Final Verdict: This is not the kind of film that should be made with a pan-India star like Prabhas. Banner: People’s Media Factory\nProducer: T.G. Vishwa Prasad\nDirector: Maruthi\nMusic: Thaman\nCast: Prabhas, Malavika Mohanan, Nidhhi Agerwal, Riddhi Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, Zarina Wahab, VTV Ganesh, Samuthirakani, Satya, Saptagiri, and others."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aWDKmQIvOtkhBMzr_RSB.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-01-09T09:31:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-8w5yDwukA"}},"uid":"review-the-rajasaab"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"title":{"text":"Review: 'Tu Meri Main Tera, Main Tera Tu Meri'"},"content":{"text":"Young heartthrob Kartik Aaryan and hot and glamorous Ananya Panday starrer Tu Meri Main Tera, Main Tera Tu Meri has finally hit the theatres. Let’s find out how the film fares.  The story revolves around Rehaan (Kartik Aaryan) and Rumi (Ananya Panday), who meet during a trip journey. As the trip progresses, the bond between them grows stronger. Before they even realise it, this closeness turns into love. Rehaan eventually proposes marriage to Rumi, but Rumi is worried about her father, played by Jackie Shroff. She fears that if she marries Rehaan and moves to the US, who will stay with her father in India—especially since her younger sister is also set to move to Canada after her marriage. Will Rehaan and Rumi be able to get married or not? For that, you’ll have to watch the film.  Directed by Sameer Vidwans, the film is handled with great finesse. His direction is impressive, and the screenplay is well-structured. The cinematography is visually appealing and adds freshness to the narrative. The first half of the film is stronger and more engaging compared to the second half. The music album is another highlight—almost all the songs are melodious and look beautiful on screen as well. The dialogues are witty and genuinely funny, keeping the audience entertained.  Talking about performances, Kartik Aaryan delivers a solid act. He brings charm and depth to the character of Rehaan with his powerful performance. Ananya Panday also does a commendable job, especially in several emotional scenes where she surprises with her expressive acting. Neena Gupta shines as Kartik Aaryan’s mother and plays her role with warmth and conviction. Jackie Shroff leaves a mark with his restrained yet impactful performance. The supporting cast also does justice to their respective roles.  Overall, Tu Meri Main Tera, Main Tera Tu Meri is a delightful romantic comedy. The film conveys a beautiful message—that while parents always compromise for their children, it is equally important for children to make compromises for their parents. If you are a young couple who values love along with family emotions, this film is definitely worth watching.  Director: Sameer Vidwans,  Producers: Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, Bhumika Tewari   Cast: Kartik Aaryan, Ananya Panday, Neena Gupta, Jackie Shroff and others"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aU12MHNYClf9opAS_tumerina.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2025-12-25T05:36:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jStzDYz2ajI"}},"uid":"review-tu-meri-main-tera-main-tera-tu-meri"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"title":{"text":"'అఖండ 2' రివ్యూ... ఫ్యాన్స్‌కి పూనకాలు"},"content":{"text":"నందమూరి బాలకృష్ణ, బోయపాటి కాంబో మూవీ అనగానే ఫ్యాన్స్‌కి మాత్రమే కాకుండా అన్ని వర్గాల ప్రేక్షకులకు ఆసక్తి ఉండటం చాలా సహజం. ఎందుకంటే వీరి కాంబోలో ఇప్పటికే సింహా, లెజెండ్‌, అఖండ వంటి సూపర్‌ హిట్‌ సినిమాలు వచ్చాయి. మూడు సినిమాలు సూపర్‌ హిట్‌ కావడంతో పాటు, అఖండకు సీక్వెల్‌గా రూపొందిన సినిమా కావడంతో అఖండ 2 పై అంచనాలు భారీగా ఉన్నాయి. మరి ఆ అంచనాలకు ఈ సినిమా తగ్గట్లుగా ఉందా? ఈ కాంబోలో నాల్గవ హిట్‌ నమోదు అయిందా అనేది ఈ రివ్యూలో చూద్దాం.  కథ : సైనిక చర్య ద్వారా ఇండియాపై విజయాన్ని సొంతం చేసుకోలేక పోయిన శత్రు దేశంకు చెందిన దుర్మార్ఘులు కుట్రపూరితంగా ప్రవర్తించి, ఇండియాలోనే ఉంటూ అధికారం కోసం ఎంతకైనా తెగించే రాజకీయ నాయకుడి సహాయంతో వినాశనంకు ప్లాన్‌ చేస్తారు. అందుకు మహాకుంభమేళను ఎంపిక చేసుకుంటారు. వేలాది మంది ప్రాణాలు తీసేందుకు ఒక వైరస్‌ను క్రియేట్‌ చేస్తారు. దాంతో ఇండియా మొత్తం అల్లకల్లోలం అవుతుంది.  ఆ వైరస్‌కి వెంటనే వ్యాక్సిన్‌ను కనిపెట్టిన భారత శాస్త్రవేత్తలు దాన్ని జనాలకు ఇచ్చేందుకు ప్రయత్నం చేస్తారు. ఆ సమయంలో మరోసారి శత్రుదేశంకు చెందిన వారు దాడి చేస్తారు.  ఆ సమయంలో అఖండ(బాలకృష్ణ) ఆ వ్యాక్సిన్‌ను ఎలా రక్షించాడు? అసలు అఖండ ఏం చేస్తున్నాడు అనేది సినిమా కథాంశం.  నటీనటుల నటన : నందమూరి బాలకృష్ణ రెండు విభిన్నమైన పాత్రల్లో నటించి మెప్పించాడు. ముఖ్యంగా అఖండ పాత్రలో బాలయ్య లుక్ కి ఫ్యాన్స్ మతి పోవడం ఖాయం. గతంలోనే ఆయన అఖండ పాత్రలో అఘోరగా నటించి మెప్పించిన విషయం తెల్సిందే. ఇప్పుడు అంతకు మించి అన్నట్లుగా ఎక్కువ నిడివి ఉన్న పాత్రలో కనిపించాడు. బాలకృష్ణ అటువంటి గెటప్‌ లో కనిపించడమే గొప్ప విషయం అంటే, ఆ లుక్‌ తో చేసిన యాక్షన్‌ సీన్స్ నెవ్వర్‌ బిఫోర్‌ అన్నట్లుగా సాగాయి. మరో పాత్రలో ఫ్యామిలీ మ్యాన్‌ గా బాలకృష్ణ ఆకట్టుకున్నాడు. మొత్తంగా బాలకృష్ణ వన్‌మ్యాన్‌ షో అన్నట్లుగా నడిపించాడు.  హీరోయిన్‌ సంయుక్త మీనన్‌ ఒక్క పాటకే పరిమితం అయింది. ఒక యాక్షన్‌ సన్నివేశంలోనూ ఆమె కనిపించింది. అయితే ఆమె పాత్ర నిడివి కొంత మేరకు ఉండటం జరిగింది. అయితే ఉన్నంతలో గ్లామర్‌ తో అలరించింది. సినిమాలో మొదటి నుంచి కూడా హర్షాలి పాత్ర గురించి ప్రముఖంగా చెబుతూ వచ్చారు. అన్నట్లుగానే ఈ సినిమాలో ఆమె పాత్రకు వెయిట్‌ ఉంది. అయితే ఆమె స్క్రీన్‌ ప్రజెన్స్ ఎక్కువ సమయం ఏమీ లేదు. ఉన్నంతలో పర్వాలేదు అనిపించింది.  ఆది పినిశెట్టి విలన్‌గా ఆకట్టుకున్నాడు. సెకండ్‌ హాఫ్‌ లో వచ్చే అతడు క్రూరమైన మాయావిగా కనిపించి మెప్పించాడు. ఇతర పాత్రల్లో నటించిన వారు వారి పాత్రల పరిధిలో పర్వాలేదు అనిపించారు.  టెక్నికల్‌ : అఖండ సినిమా పేరు ఎత్తగానే ప్రతి ఒక్కరికీ ఆ సినిమా కోసం తమన్‌ ఇచ్చిన బ్యాక్ గ్రౌండ్ స్కోర్ గుర్తుకు వస్తుంది అనడంలో సందేహం లేదు. అందుకే అఖండ 2 సినిమాలో తమన్‌ ఇచ్చిన బ్యాక్‌గ్రౌండ్‌ స్కోర్ ఎలా ఉంటుందా అని అంతా ఆసక్తిగా ఎదురు చూశారు. సినిమా విడుదలకు ముందే టీజర్‌, గ్లిమ్స్‌, ట్రైలర్‌ లో తమన్‌ తన మ్యూజిక్‌ తో హైప్‌ క్రియేట్‌ చేయడంలో సక్సెస్‌ అయ్యాడు. అంతే కాకుండా ఒక పాటతోనూ మెప్పించాడు. బాలకృష్ణ మాస్ ఇమేజ్‌ కి తగ్గట్లుగా తమన్ బీజీఎం ఇవ్వడంతో సినిమా స్థాయి పెరిగింది. యాక్షన్ సన్నివేశాల్లో తమన్‌ మ్యూజిక్‌ కుర్చీ అంచున కూర్చోబెట్టింది అనడంలో సందేహం లేదు.  దర్శకుడు బోయపాటి శ్రీను ఈసారి కథ విషయంలో ఇంకాస్త ఎక్కువ శ్రద్ద పెట్టాల్సింది అనిపించింది. అఖండ 2 సినిమా కథ విషయంలో అసంతృప్తిగా ఉంది. ఇక స్క్రీన్‌ ప్లే విషయంలోనూ చాలా లోపాలు ఉన్నాయి. కథ చిన్న లైన్‌తోనే ఉన్నప్పటికీ స్క్రీన్‌ ప్లేను అందుకు తగ్గట్లుగా ఆకట్టుకునే విధంగా నడిపించాల్సిన అవసరం ఉంది. కానీ దర్శకుడు ఆ దిశగా కథను నడిపించడంలో విఫలం అయ్యాడు. వీఎఫ్‌ఎక్స్‌ మరీ పేలవంగా ఉంది. సినిమాటోగ్రఫీ బాగుంది. కొన్ని హిమాలయ షాట్స్ ను చక్కగా చూపించారు. నిర్మాణాత్మక విలువలు కథానుసారంగా బాగున్నాయి.  విశ్లేషణ : అనుకోని అవాంతరం కారణంగా ఆలస్యం అయిన అఖండ 2 సినిమా విషయంలో అభిమానులతో పాటు అన్ని వర్గాల వారు మొదటి నుంచి పాజిటివ్‌ హోప్‌ ను కలిగి ఉన్నారు. ఎప్పుడైతే అవాంతరాలు రావడం మొదలైందో అప్పటి నుంచే సినిమా పై అనుమానాలు వ్యక్తం అయ్యాయి. ఫలితం విషయంలో ఈసారి ఏమైనా తేడా కొట్టేనా అన్నట్లుగా కొందరు మాట్లాడుతూ వచ్చారు. అదే జరిగింది అనే అభిప్రాయం వ్యక్తం అవుతోంది. అభిమానులు బాలకృష్ణ కోసం అఖండ 2 సినిమాను చూసి ఎంజాయ్‌ చేయవచ్చు. కానీ రెగ్యులర్‌ ప్రేక్షకులు ఈ సినిమాను చూసి ఆనందించే ఎలిమెంట్స్ ఎక్కువగా లేవని చెప్పాలి. కథను సరిగ్గా చెప్పక పోవడంతో పాటు, స్క్రీన్‌ ప్లే విషయంలో నిరుత్సాహ పరిచారు.  తమన్‌ బ్యాక్‌ గ్రౌండ్‌ స్కోర్ బాగున్నా అందుకు తగ్గట్లుగా యాక్షన్ సీన్స్ పండలేదు. బాలయ్య యాక్షన్ సీన్స్ ను ఆయన అభిమానులు ఎంజాయ్‌ చేస్తారు, కానీ ఆయన మార్క్ డ్రామా, ఎమోషన్‌ సీన్స్ లేకపోవడంతో రెగ్యులర్‌ ప్రేక్షకులు బోర్‌ ఫీల్‌ అయ్యే అవకాశం ఉంది. ఒకటి రెండు సీన్స్ మినహా రెగ్యులర్‌ ఆడియన్స్ ను కట్టి పడేసే సీన్స్ లేవని చెప్పక తప్పదు. మరి థియేట్రికల్‌ రన్‌ లో ఫ్యాన్స్ తో పాటు ప్రేక్షకుల నుంచి ఎలాంటి స్పందన వస్తుందా అనేది చూడాలి.  ప్లస్ పాయింట్స్ :  బాలకృష్ణ,  తమన్ సంగీతం. కొన్ని యాక్షన్‌ సీన్స్‌. మైనస్ పాయింట్స్ :  కథ, కథనం, ఎమోషన్‌ లేకపోవడం, ఓవర్‌ స్టంట్స్‌. చివరగా... అఖండ 2 అభిమానుల వరకు మాత్రమే..! బ్యానర్ : 14 రీల్స్‌ ప్లస్‌ నిర్మాత : రామ్ ఆచంట, గోపీ ఆచంట దర్శకత్వం : బోయపాటి శ్రీను సంగీతం : తమన్‌ తారాగణం : బాలకృష్ణ, సంయుక్త మీనన్‌, హర్షాలి మల్హోత్ర, ఆది పినిశెట్టి, పూర్ణ, అయ్యప్ప పి శర్మ తదితరులు"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aTsrEXNYClf9oFJC_Akhanda2.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2025-12-13T04:32:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dL3T1yJxisc"}},"uid":"akhanda-2-review....poonakaalu-for-fans"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"title":{"text":"Review: 'Dhurandhar‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌'"},"content":{"text":"Dhurandhar hits the audience like a cyclone—untamed, persistent, and spectacularly dhamakedaar. Aditya Dhar's latest triumph is far from just a movie; it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, a cinematic event of the year that completely breaks the clutter of Indian espionage thrillers. With Indian heart and international standard, Dhar weaves a story full of human touch, intricacy, and spark, reaffirming that he belongs among the very few directors capable of conceiving on a grand scale while still keeping the story deeply character-driven.  Drawing inspiration from the IC-814 hijacking and the 2001 Parliament attack, the film sets the stage on a historic backdrop without wasting a moment. Dhar then skillfully expands the narrative to show the political tremors that pushed the Indian intelligence system beyond its limits. Madhavan as IB Chief Ajay Sanyal is the rock on which the story stands. His portrayal, full of precision and gravitas, earns seeti maar reactions in every scene. The dialogues are crisp, the energy is infectious, and the immersion into this high-stakes world is so real that it grips from the first frame.  One of the most striking elements is the use of archival footage, including 9/11 and other terror attacks, interspersed with chilling audio of attackers plotting against India. These sequences evoke patriotism without jingoism, reminding the audience of the stakes while highlighting India’s strategic resilience. It’s a cinematic call to awareness and courage that makes the story even more gripping.  Ranveer Singh delivers arguably his career-best performance—raw, gritty, massy, and explosively powerful. Hamza is hurt, angry, unpredictable, yet inexplicably charming. The transformation from a rage-driven youth to a cold, calculated underworld operative is executed with staggering emotional finesse. Ranveer doesn’t just perform; he literally “blows up” the screen, particularly in the latter half, becoming almost synonymous with the storyline—a 10/10 hardcore action avatar.  The supporting cast matches this energy brilliantly. Akshaye Khanna, as Rehman Dakait, is eerie, sparkling, and dreadful—a mind-is-the-weapon villain whose expressions and timing make him unforgettable. Sanjay Dutt is pure cannon fire as SP Chaudhary Aslam, “The Jinn,” bringing raw toughness to every frame. Arjun Rampal’s Major Iqbal commands attention with his silent menace, while Sara Arjun impresses in her star-studded debut. Every actor is fully into their character, creating a dangerously immersive atmosphere.  The film’s pace is relentless, thanks to Aditya Dhar’s mastery over tempo. And crucially, despite its 214-minute runtime, the length never feels distracting. Every scene is deliberate, every beat perfect, making the infiltration plan genuinely nerve-wracking. The background music is another major highlight—the BGM keeps the energy flowing continuously, never letting the audience feel a dull moment. The soundtrack is one of the strongest pillars of the film, arguably the album of the year or even the decade, turning tension, discovery, and climax into cinematic thunder.  Violence is used sparingly—just three sequences are truly explicit, each dramatically justified. The real intensity comes from the emotional stakes, character development, and political intrigue. The first half showcases masterful world-building, with the interval delivering pure goosebumps and doubling audience excitement. Post-interval, conspiracies intertwine, political power shifts, and Hamza consolidates the mafia core through strategy, betrayal, and even a calculated marriage, setting up a perfect stage for the explosive Part Two coming Eid 2026.  Jyoti Deshpande, Lokesh Dhar, and Aditya Dhar, backed by B62 Studios and Jio Studios, leave no stone unturned in creating a universe that is vast, real, and cinematically rich. Their unwavering support for large sets, hard action, bold storytelling, and a stellar ensemble cast shines in every frame, elevating Indian genre cinema to new heights.  Dhurandhar is a genre-defining spectacle that combines ferocious execution, meticulous craft, and unforgettable impact. With Aditya Dhar’s finest direction and Ranveer Singh’s career-best performance, it makes a solid case for being one of the boldest, most compelling thrillers of the year. The game is set, the pieces are moving, and the wait for Part Two is fervent—completely justified by the high stakes, breathtaking performances, and mind-blowing storytelling.  Cast: Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun, Rakesh Bedi and others  Director/Writer: Aditya Dhar"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aTK2Z3NYClf9n2ee_dhurandar.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2025-12-05T08:15:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKOVzHcjEIo"}},"uid":"review-dhurandhar"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"title":{"text":"'ఆంధ్రాకింగ్‌ తాలూకా' రివ్యూ... ఫ్యాన్స్‌ మూవీ"},"content":{"text":"రామ్‌ వరుస విజయాలతో ఎనర్జిటిక్ స్టార్‌ ఇమేజ్‌ని సొంతం చేసుకుని కెరీర్‌ ఆరంభంలో అందరి దృష్టిని ఆకర్షించాడు. కానీ గత కొంత కాలంగా ఆయన పూర్తిగా గాడి తప్పినట్లుగా కనిపిస్తున్నాడు. ఏమాత్రం ఆకట్టుకోని కథ, కథనాలను, దర్శకులను ఎంపిక చేసుకోవడంతో ఆయనకు వరుస ఫ్లాప్‌లు తప్పలేదు. ఇస్మార్ట్‌ శంకర్ తర్వాత రామ్‌ ఒక మంచి హిట్‌ కోసం ఎదురు చూస్తున్నాడు. ఆ హిట్‌ ఈ సినిమాతో వచ్చిందా అనేది ఈ రివ్యూలో చూద్దాం.  కథ :  సూర్య(ఉపేంద్ర) తెలుగు సినిమా ఇండస్ట్రీలో స్టార్‌ హీరో. అభిమానులు ఆయన్ను ఆంధ్రా కింగ్‌ అనే బిరుదుతో పిలుచుకుంటూ ఉంటారు. వరుస విజయాలు దక్కించుకుంటూ వచ్చిన సూర్యకు వందవ సినిమాకు ముందు కెరీర్‌ పరంగా ఒడిదొడుకులు ఎదుర్కోవాల్సి వస్తుంది. వరుస ఫ్లాప్స్‌ పడటంతో సూర్య ను విమర్శించే వారు, తిట్టేవారు ఎక్కువ అవుతారు. ఆయన పనైపోయిందని విమర్శిస్తూ ఉంటారు. ఆ సమయంలో సూర్య 100వ సినిమాను మొదలు పెడతాడు.  సినిమాపై అంచనాలు లేకపోవడం, అసలు సూర్య సినిమాను ఎవరు చూస్తారు అని జనాలు అనుకుంటూ ఉండటంతో ఆ సినిమా ఆర్థిక సమస్యలు ఎదుర్కొంటుంది. సినిమా పూర్తి చేయడానికి రూ.3 కోట్లు అవసరం అవుతుంది. ఆ సమయంలో సూర్యను అమితంగా అభిమానించే సాగర్‌ (రామ్‌) ముందుకు వస్తాడు. తాను ఎంతో కష్టపడి సంపాదించిన ఆస్తిని అమ్మి, ఆ డబ్బును తన అభిమాన హీరో, ఆంధ్రాకింగ్‌ సూర్యకి చేరేలా చేస్తాడు.  తీవ్ర ఆర్థిక ఇబ్బందుల్లో ఉన్న సూర్య తన అకౌంట్‌లో పడ్డ రూ.3 కోట్లు చూసి షాక్‌ అవుతాడు. ఆ డబ్బును తన అభిమాని అయిన సాగర్‌ పంపించినట్లు తెలిసి షాక్‌ అవుతాడు. తన అభిమానిని కలుసుకునేందుకు సూర్య బయలుజేరుతాడు. ఆ క్రమంలో సాగర్‌ గురించి పలు విషయాలను సూర్య తెలుసుకుంటాడు. ఒక అభిమానిని స్టార్‌ హీరో ఎలా కలుసుకున్నాడు? ఆ తర్వాత ఏం జరిగింది? అనేది కథ. నటీనటుల నటన :  రామ్‌ మొత్తం బాధ్యత తన భుజాలపై వేసుకున్నాడు. ఎప్పటిలాగే ఈ సినిమాతో మరోసారి తన ఎనర్జిటిక్ పెర్ఫార్మెన్స్‌ను చూపించాడు. సాగర్‌ పాత్రకి రామ్‌ ఎంత వరకు చేయాలో అంతకు మించి చేసినట్లుగా అనిపించింది. ఒక పాత్రను చాలా నమ్మడం వల్లే రామ్‌ ఈ స్థాయిలో కష్టపడి ఉంటాడు అనిపించింది. అతడి లుక్‌, డైలాగ్‌ డెలివరీ, యాక్షన్‌ సీన్స్ లో ఆయన ప్రజెన్స్ ఇలా ప్రతి ఒక్క ఎలిమెంట్‌లోనూ రామ్‌ ఆకట్టుకున్నాడు. అందుకే అతడు ఒక ఫ్యాన్  గా సరిగ్గా సెట్‌ అయ్యి, సినిమాను మోశాడు. సూపర్‌ స్టార్‌గా నటించిన ఉపేంద్ర తన పాత్రకు న్యాయం చేశాడు. ఒక అభిమాని కోసం వెతుక్కుంటూ వెళ్తున్న సీన్స్ లో అతడి భావోద్వేగం కనిపించింది. సినిమా కోసం అతడు పడే తపన, అతడు పడే కష్టం తాలూక డిటైల్స్ ను ఉపేంద్ర చక్కగా చూపడం జరిగింది. హీరోయిన్‌గా నటించిన భాగ్యశ్రీ బోర్సేకి తన ప్రతిభ మొత్తం చూపించే అవకాశం దక్కలేదు. అయితే ఆమె ఉన్నంతలో అందంగా కనిపించడంతో పాటు, నటనతో ఆకట్టుకుంది. ఇతర నటీనటులు వారి పాత్రల పరిధిలో నటించారు.  టెక్నికల్‌ :  పాటల గురించి ప్రత్యేకంగా చర్చ జరిగింది. కొత్త సంగీత దర్శకులు కుమ్మేశారు అంటూ అంతా తెగ మాట్లాడారు. కానీ వారి నుంచి వచ్చిన సంగీతం కొత్తగా ఉంది కానీ ఆకట్టుకునే విధంగా మాత్రం లేదు. ఇలాంటి సినిమాలకు పాత సంగీత దర్శకులు అయితే న్యాయం చేసేవారు అనిపిస్తుంది. కాని రామ్‌ కి మాత్రం ఎందుకో వీరు నచ్చారు. ఆయన నిర్ణయం తప్పు అని తేలింది.  ఇక దర్శకుడు మహేష్‌ ఎంపిక చేసుకున్న కథ విషయంలో ఎలాంటి తప్పు లేదు. ముఖ్యంగా స్టోరీ లైన్ మంచి పాయింట్‌. కానీ దాన్ని మలచిన తీరు బాగాలేదు. ముఖ్యంగా స్క్రీన్‌ ప్లే విషయంలో సాగతీసినట్లుగా అనిపించింది. ఎడిటింగ్‌ కి ఇంకా చాలా స్కోప్ ఉంది. ఎందుకో చాలా సీన్స్‌ను అలాగే వదిలేశాడు. నిర్మాణాత్మక విలువలు బాగానే ఉన్నాయి. సినిమాటోగ్రాఫీ అప్పటి నేటివిటీకి దగ్గరగా ప్రేక్షకులను తీసుకు వెళ్లడంలో సక్సెస్ అయిందని చెప్పాలి.  విశ్లేషణ :  రామ్‌ దాదాపు ఏడాది  గ్యాప్ తీసుకుని, వందల కొద్ది కథలు విని, పదుల కొద్ది కథలు పక్కన పెట్టుకుని, చివరకు ఈ కథను ఎంపిక చేసుకున్నాడు అని ఆయన సన్నిహితులు అంటున్నారు. అయితే ఇలాంటి కథను ఆయన ఎలా ఒప్పుకున్నాడు అంటూ చాలా మంది ఆశ్చర్యం వ్యక్తం చేస్తున్నారు. స్టోరీ లైన్‌ బాగుంటే సరిపోతుందా, కథ, కథనం విషయంలో దీన్ని ఎంత వరకు ప్రేక్షకులకు ఆకట్టుకునే విధంగా తీసుకు రాగలరు అనే విషయంను ఆయన చూసుకోలేదు అనిపిస్తుంది.  రామ్‌ సాధారణంగానే ఎనర్జిటిక్‌ పెర్ఫార్మెన్స్‌ తో ఆకట్టుకుంటాడు. ఈ సినిమాలోనూ మరోసారి తన సత్తా చాటాడు. కానీ సినిమాలోని ఆయన పాత్ర ఉన్నంత పవర్‌ ఫుల్‌గా స్క్రీన్‌ ప్లే లేదు. గ్రామీన ప్రాంతంలో ఉండే ప్రేమ కథను చూపించే ప్రయత్నం చేశారు. ఆ కథను ఇంకాస్త ఎక్కువ చూపించినా బాగుండేది. హీరో, అభిమాని మధ్య ఉండే సీన్స్ చాలా తక్కువగా ఉన్నాయి. ప్రేక్షకులు ఆశించిన ఎలిమెంట్స్ ఈ సినిమాలో చాలా తక్కువగా ఉన్నాయి. అందుకే సినిమా రెగ్యులర్‌ ప్రేక్షకులను ఆకట్టుకోవడంలో విఫలం అవుతుంది. కానీ తమను తాము ఒక హీరోకు అభిమాని అని చెప్పుకునే వారికి మాత్రం తప్పకుండా ఈ సినిమా నచ్చుతుంది.  ప్లస్ పాయింట్స్ :  రామ్‌ నటన, స్టోరీలైన్‌, కొన్ని ఎమోషనల్‌ సీన్స్‌ మైనస్ పాయింట్స్ :  ఫస్ట్‌ హాఫ్‌ చాలా స్లోగా సాగింది స్క్రీన్‌ ప్లే, ప్రేమ కథ ఇంకాస్త ఉండాల్సింది. చివరగా... ఫ్యాన్‌గా ఆంధ్రాకింగ్‌ను ఆకట్టుకున్న సాగర్‌, ప్రేక్షకులను ఆకట్టుకోవడం కష్టమే. బ్యానర్ : మైత్రి మూవీ మేకర్స్‌ నిర్మాత : నవీన్‌ యెర్నేని, వై రవి శంకర్‌ దర్శకత్వం : మహేష్‌ బాబు పి సంగీతం : వివేక్‌-మెర్విన్‌ తారాగణం : రామ్‌ పోతినేని, భాగ్యశ్రీ బోర్సే, ఉపేంద్ర తదితరులు"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aSgr23NYClf9nheC_AKT1.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2025-11-27T08:30:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeY828c-AXo"}},"uid":"review-andhra-king-talooka---fans-movie"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"title":{"text":"Review: 'De De Pyaar De 2'"},"content":{"text":"It’s rare to find a film that makes you laugh, cry, and smile, all within the same heartbeat. De De Pyaar De 2 is that rare gem. The sequel not only lives up to the 2019 blockbuster but builds on it with heart, humour, and a story that feels deeply personal yet universally relatable. In a year full of thrillers and high-octane spectacles, De De Pyaar De 2 stands tall as the only true family entertainer of 2025. It’s a film about family — and one meant to be watched with family. Whether you’re a parent, a young adult, or a daughter who shares a special bond with her father, this one will speak to you in more ways than one. The film beautifully balances clap-and-whistle-worthy comedy with tear-jerking emotion, and even leaves you with a subtle but strong message about love, relationships, and what truly makes a man ‘man enough’ in today’s world. The protagonist Ajay Devgn is a delight, effortlessly switching between subtle humour and emotional restraint. His references to his own iconic films are a treat for fans and timed to perfection. It’s refreshing to see him return to a romantic-comedy space after a string of action-heavy roles. R. Madhavan, on the other hand, brings soul to the story. As a father navigating complex emotions, he’s a powerhouse of warmth and vulnerability. His scenes, especially with Ajay, are pure paisa vasool, seamlessly blending humour with heartfelt depth. Leading lady Rakul Preet Singh delivers her best performance yet, charming, confident, and absolutely radiant on screen. While Jaaved Jaffery leaves you rolling on the floor laughing everytime he comes on the screen, Meezaan’s entry in the second half is impactful; he looks effortlessly dashing and leaves a strong impression in a limited screen time. The supporting ensemble — Gautami, Ishita, and Suhasini Mulay, bring natural warmth and depth, rounding out the film’s emotional universe beautifully. Director Anshul Sharma infuses De De Pyaar De 2 with heart, humor, and a sense of effortless storytelling. His vision shines through every frame bringing together a powerhouse cast and allowing each performer to leave a lasting mark. Sharma orchestrates the film’s emotional beats and comic timing with remarkable finesse, blending warmth and wit in equal measure. With this film, he not only celebrates relationships and generations but also cements his place as a filmmaker who knows how to entertain while keeping the emotions genuine and grounded. Unlike many sequels that exist just to cash in on a franchise name, De De Pyaar De 2 feels like an organic continuation of the first. The callbacks are smart, not forced, and the story flows with sincerity and purpose. And just when you think you’ve seen it all, the last 20–30 minutes hit you with one of the most emotionally satisfying climaxes seen in recent times, an absolute rollercoaster of emotions that will leave you walking out with a full heart and a huge smile. De De Pyaar De 2 is the ultimate big-screen entertainer, funny, emotional, meaningful, and refreshingly vulnerable. It proves that films about family, love, and connection can still move audiences when told with honesty and heart. Director: Anshul Sharma,  Cast: Ajay Devgn, R. Madhavan, Rakul Preet Singh, Jaaved Jaaferi, Meezaan, Gautami Kapoor, Ishita Dutta and others "},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aRb8GLpReVYa4eVc_dedepyaarde2.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2025-11-14T04:53:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59aIp7SfIIk"}},"uid":"review-de-de-pyaar-de-2"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"title":{"text":"Review: ‘Jatadhara’ - A spiritual thriller unfolds"},"content":{"text":"Zee Studios and Prerna Arora produced Jatadhara represents an ambitious and compelling effort by directors Venkat Kalyan and Abhishek Jaiswal as they create a supernatural mythological thriller, one that dares bridge the gap between science, faith, and mysticism of old. Against the mysterious backdrop of the Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple and its treasures hidden within, the film is imbued with original Tantric rituals and chants enacted during filming-a rare thing in mainstream Indian cinema. The sense of dread and divinity pervades right from the first frame. The haunting visuals, the rhythmic chants, and symbolic imagery set off into a world where reality blends with the surreal. Credit goes to the two directors for knowing how to handle such a dense mythological theme with reverence and cinematic flair. Sudheer Babu plays Shiva, a skeptical ghost hunter whose journey from disbelief to spiritual awakening forms the emotional core of the story. His rugged screen presence, restrained intensity, and emotional range make this one of his most nuanced performances to date. The sequences where he confronts unseen forces — armed with both scientific logic and ritualistic tools — are genuinely gripping. Sonakshi Sinha, all set to mesmerize the Telugu audience for the first time, is just outstanding as Dhana Pisaachi, a vengeful spirit bound by greed and sorrow. With her commanding expressions, piercing gaze, and haunting poise, Sonakshi brings terror and tragedy on the screen. Her transformation into the demonic goddess is one of the talking points of the film and quite rightly so-she owns each frame. Divya Khossla carries grace throughout her role as Sitara, while Shilpa Shirodkar and Indira Krishna add depth and dignity to their key roles. The ensemble cast — Rajeev Kanakala, Ravi Prakash, and Subhalekha Sudhakar included — come together to add value to the narrative with realistic, down-to-earth performances. Written by Venkat Kalyan, the screenplay of Jatadhara weaves ancient lore with modern skepticism. The premise of the story-a forbidden ritual called Pisacha Bandhanam that ties spirits to guard lost treasures-is both fascinating and frightening. Kalyan ensures that every plot twist is rooted in belief systems familiar to Indian audiences, yet he approaches them with a contemporary lens. The dialogues by Sai Krishna Karne and Shyam Babu Meriga are sharp, spiritual, and thought-provoking. Lines like \"Faith is not what you see -- it's what you dare to feel\" stay with one long after the credits roll. They strike an even balance between philosophical weight and emotional immediacy to give the film a scriptural and cinematic hue at once. The biggest strength of Jatadhara is Sameer Kalyani's cinematography. The chiaroscuro lighting, the intricate interior of the temple, and aerial sweeps of the Kerala landscape infuse an otherworldly beauty upon this dark narrative. Every sequence of this ritual is framed like a painting-flickering lamps, swirling smoke, chanting shadows-pulling you into a hypnotic trance. The special effects should be applauded for delivering realistic supernatural imagery without excess. The scenes of Dhanapisachini’s manifestation are at once terrifying and beautiful, enhanced by practical effects that feel real and organic. The sound design amplifies the eeriness: low rumbles, faraway chants, and sudden silences are used to great effect to raise the tension. Composer Rajiv Raj manages an evocative score that fuses classical ragas with electronic undercurrents. His background music, particularly during the climactic confrontation, keeps the pulse racing. Despite the film's dark theme, music, and movement have been found in Jatadhara. “Shiva Stotram” and “Pallo Latke Again stand apart for their energy and depth. As the choreographer, Sandeep melds ritualistic movements with cinematic choreography, especially in the temple dance sequence featuring Divya Khossla, which radiates both devotion and intensity. The stunt choreography seamlessly integrates physical combat with supernatural powers, creating a dynamic action language that feels fresh. Sudheer Babu's ghost-hunting sequence, weapon combat scenes, and the final blood-drinking transformation sequence are all done with precision and conviction. The mix of martial arts and mystical symbolism makes these moments unforgettable. Jatadhara is a bold visual experiment in the form of a supernatural mythological thriller that refuses to play safe. It sincerely pursues faith versus reason, science versus ritual, and human will versus divine wrath with amazing scale. The outstanding visual brilliance of the film matches the strong performances and authentic spiritual texture. Co-directed by Venkat Kalyan and Abhishek Jaiswal, Jatadhara manages a fine balance between commercial spectacle and artistic expression. The result is that Jatadhara does what few films attempt; it turns mythology into a breathing, living cinematic experience, with its entrancing images, haunting music, and soulful performances that both thrill and leave one thoughtful. Director: Venkat Kalyan And Abhishek Jaiswal Starring : Sudheer Babu, Sonakshi Sinha, Divya Khossla, Shilpa Shirodkar, Indira Krishna, Rajeev Kanakala, Ravi Prakash, Rohit Pathak, Jhansi, Subhalekha Sudhakar"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aQx6sbpReVYa4H3__jathadara.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2025-11-06T09:25:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcZNCaE4qEM"}},"uid":"review-jatadhara---a-spiritual-thriller-unfolds"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"title":{"text":"'మాస్‌ జాతర' రివ్యూ... రొటీన్‌ యాక్షన్‌ ఎంటర్‌టైనర్‌"},"content":{"text":"రవితేజ ఏదైనా సినిమా ప్రారంభిస్తే ఆరు నెలల్లోనే పూర్తి చేసి ప్రేక్షకుల ముందుకు తీసుకు రావడం మనం చూస్తూ ఉంటాం. కానీ ఈ సినిమా అనేక కారణాల వల్ల చాలా ఆలస్యం అయింది. ఈ ఏడాది సంక్రాంతికి రావాల్సిన సినిమా ఏడాది చివర్లో దీపావళి అయిన తర్వాత ప్రేక్షకుల ముందుకు వచ్చింది. సితార ఎంటర్‌టైన్‌మెంట్స్ బ్యానర్‌లో రూపొందిన సినిమా కావడంతో పాజిటివ్‌ బజ్ క్రియేట్‌ అయింది, అంతే కాకుండా రవితేజ ఈ సినిమాపై చాలా అంచనాలు పెంచే విధంగా ప్రచారం చేశాడు. మరి ఈ సినిమా ఎలా ఉంది అనేది ఈ రివ్యూలో చూద్దాం.  కథ : రైల్వే ఎస్‌ఐ అయిన లక్ష్మణ్‌(రవితేజ) ఎక్కడ ఉంటే అక్కడ రైల్వే విధులు మాత్రమే కాకుండా అన్ని రకాల కేసులను పరిస్కరిస్తూ ఉంటాడు. అలాంటి లక్ష్మణ్‌కి డ్రగ్స్‌ ఇష్టానుసారంగా పండిస్తూ, అదే జీవనాధారంగా జనాలు జీవిస్తున్న ఒక ప్రాంతంకు ట్రాన్స్‌ఫర్‌ అవుతుంది. అక్కడ శివుడు(నవీన్ చంద్ర) బలవంతంగా రైతులతో గంజాయి సాగు చేయిస్తూ దాన్ని కోల్‌కత్తాకు ట్రాన్స్‌పోర్ట్‌ చేస్తూ ఉంటాడు. శివుడు గంజాయి వ్యాపారంను నాశనం చేసేందుకు లక్ష్మణ్‌ సిద్దం అవుతాడు. శివుడు పెద్ద మొత్తంలో గంజాయిని కోల్‌కత్తా తరలించేందుకు సిద్ధం అయిన సమయంలో లక్ష్మణ్‌ దాన్ని దాచేస్తాడు. ఆ సరుకు కోసం శివుడు పిచ్చెక్కి పోతాడు. ఇద్దరి మధ్య పెద్ద యుద్దమే జరుగుతుంది. చివరకు ఏం జరిగింది అనేది సినిమా కథ.  నటీనటులు : రవితేజ ఎనర్జీ ఏమాత్రం తగ్గలేదు. అయితే ఆయన లుక్‌ విషయంలో మాత్రం కాస్త వయసు ఎక్కువ అయినట్లుగా అనిపించింది. వింటేజ్ రవితేజను చూస్తారు అంటూ పబ్లిసిటీ సమయంలో మేకర్స్ చెప్పారు. కానీ వింటేజ్ సీన్స్ పెద్దగా ఏమీ లేవు. ఒకటి రెండు నిమిషాలకే పరిమితం చేశారు. యాక్షన్‌ సీన్స్‌లో రవితేజ ఎనర్జీ కనిపించింది. అయితే డాన్స్‌ ల్లో శ్రీలీల ముందు రవితేజ ఆశించిన స్థాయిలో మెప్పించలేక పోయాడు అని చెప్పుకోక తప్పదు. ఓవరాల్‌గా మాస్‌ మహారాజా రవితేజ మాస్‌ జాతర తన భుజాలపై వేసుకుని నడిపించే ప్రయత్నం చేశాడు.  శ్రీలీల పాత్రకు పెద్దగా ప్రాధాన్యత లేదు. ఫస్ట్‌ హాఫ్‌ లో కొంత సమయం కనిపించినా, సెకండ్‌ హాఫ్‌ లో కొన్ని నిమిషాలు మాత్రమే ఆమె కనిపించింది. పాటలకు మాత్రమే పరిమితం అయిన పాత్ర అనిపించింది. ఉన్నంతలో మెప్పించింది. డాన్స్‌ల్లో తన ప్రతిభతో ఆకట్టుకుంది. రాజేంద్ర ప్రసాద్‌ తన పాత్రకు పూర్తి న్యాయం చేశాడు. హైపర్ ఆది తన రొటీన్‌ పంచ్‌ డైలాగ్స్ తో పర్వాలేదు అనిపించాడు. ఇతర పాత్రల్లో నటించిన వారు వారి వారి పాత్రల్లో పర్వాలేదు అనిపించారు.  టెక్నికల్‌: దర్శకుడు భాను కథ విషయంలో ఇంకాస్త వర్కౌట్‌ చేస్తే బాగుండేది. రైల్వే పోలీస్‌ అనే లైన్‌ బాగానే ఉంది, కానీ గంజాయి చుట్టూ సాగే కథలు చాలానే ఉన్నాయి. ఇంకాస్త విభిన్నంగా కథను రాసుకుని ఉంటే బాగుండేది. కనీసం స్క్రీన్‌ప్లేతో అయినా మ్యాజిక్ చేసి ఉంటే బాగుండేది. డైలాగ్స్ కొన్ని యాప్ట్‌ కాలేదు. భీమ్స్ అందించిన పాటలు ఒకటి రెండు వింటూ ఉంటే బాగానే ఉన్నాయి. కానీ స్క్రీన్‌ ప్లే కు బ్రేక్‌లు వేసినట్లుగా అనిపించాయి.  ముఖ్యంగా సెకండ్‌ హాఫ్‌ లో వచ్చే పాటల ప్లేస్‌మెంట్‌ ఏమాత్రం సెట్‌ కాలేదు. అయితే బ్యాక్ గ్రౌండ్‌ స్కోర్‌ తో రవితేజ ఫ్యాన్స్‌కి, ఆయన ఎలివేషన్ సీన్స్‌ కి మంచి హైప్‌ వచ్చే విధంగా భీమ్స్ చేశాడు. సినిమాటోగ్రఫీ బాగుంది. ముఖ్యంగా యాక్షన్‌ సీన్స్ లో సినిమాటోగ్రఫీకి మంచి మార్కులు పడుతాయి. యాక్షన్ సీన్స్ నేచురాలిటీకి దగ్గరగా ఉండే విధంగా ప్లాన్‌ చేశారు. నిర్మాణాత్మక విలువలు బాగున్నాయి. ఎడిటింగ్‌లో జర్క్‌ లు ఉన్నాయి. కాస్త క్రిస్పీగా ఉండాల్సింది.  విశ్లేషణ : రవితేజ సినిమా అనగానే మాస్ ఆడియన్స్‌తో పాటు అన్ని వర్గాల ప్రేక్షకులు ఆసక్తిగా అప్పట్లో ఎదురు చూసేవారు. కానీ ఇప్పుడు రవితేజ గత చిత్రాల ఫలితాల నేపథ్యంలో ఈసారి అయినా రవితేజ హిట్‌ కొట్టేనా అని నీరసంగా, నిరుత్సాహంగా ఎదురు చూస్తున్న వారు ఉన్నారు. అయినా కూడా రవితేజలో ఎనర్జీ మాత్రం తగ్గలేదు. తన సినిమాల ఫలితంతో సబంధం లేదు అన్నట్లుగా వరుస సినిమాలు చేసుకుంటూ వెళ్తున్నాడు.  సితార వారి బ్యానర్ నుంచి సినిమా వస్తుంది అంటే మినిమం గ్యారెంటీ అనే నమ్మకం ఉండేది. అది కూడా ఈ మధ్య కాలంలో మెల్ల మెల్లగా పోతుంది. ఇలాంటి సమయంలో వచ్చిన మాస్‌ జాతర రవితేజ స్టార్‌డంను నిలబెట్టేనా, సితార వారి పరువు నిలుపుతుందా అని అంతా ఆసక్తిగా ఎదురు చూశారు. కానీ ఈ సినిమా పూర్తి స్థాయిలో ఆ పని చేయలేదు అని చెప్పక తప్పదు. రవితేజ మార్క్‌ ఎంటర్‌టైన్‌మెంట్‌తో ఫస్ట్‌ హాఫ్‌ సాఫీగా సాగింది. కానీ సెకండ్‌ హాఫ్‌ విషయంలో తీవ్రంగా నిరాశ పరిచాడు. ఒకటి రెండు యాక్షన్ సీన్స్‌ తప్ప సెకండ్‌ హాఫ్‌ లో చెప్పుకోవడానికి ఏమీ లేవు.  కథలో ట్విస్ట్‌లు లేవు, స్క్రీన్‌ ప్లే మొత్తం ముందే ఊహించేదిగా ఉంది. ఎక్కడా ఆసక్తికరంగా స్క్రీన్‌ ప్లే సాగిందే లేదు. ఆది కామెడీతో నవ్వించే ప్రయత్నం చేశారు. కానీ అది వర్కౌట్‌ కాలేదు. మొత్తంగా మాస్ జాతర ఆకట్టుకోలేక పోయిన యాక్షన్‌ జాతర.  ప్లస్‌ పాయింట్స్‌ : రవితేజ, ఫస్ట్‌ హాఫ్‌ కొన్ని సీన్స్‌.  మైనస్ పాయింట్స్ : కథ, కథనం, రొటీన్‌ కామెడీ, యాక్షన్‌, పాటల ప్లేస్‌మెంట్‌, రొటీన్‌ క్లైమాక్స్‌.  చివరగా... వింటేజ్‌ రవితేజను చూపిస్తారనుకుంటే రొటీన్‌ యాక్షన్‌ ఎంటర్‌టైన్మెంట్‌ను చూపించాడు.  బ్యానర్ : సితార ఎంటర్‌టైన్‌మెంట్స్‌  నిర్మాత : నాగవంశీ  దర్శకత్వం : భాను భోగవరపు  సంగీతం : భీమ్స్‌ సిసిరోలియో  తారాగణం : రవితేజ, శ్రీలీల, నవీన్‌ చంద్ర, రాజేంద్ర ప్రసాద్‌, నరేష్‌, హైపర్‌ ఆది తదితరులు"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aQThSLpReVYa35Yx_massjathara.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2025-10-31T19:30:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qm-wNxOcEL4"}},"uid":"mass-jathara-review-routine-action-entertainer"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"title":{"text":"Review: Thamma - A fiery blockbuster ride!"},"content":{"text":"Thamma is big-screen fun at its purest — a daring mix of folklore, family, fantasy, and fanfare of a full-blown franchise. With this new movie in the Maddock horror-verse, director Aditya Sarpotdar is taking Indian genre cinema to a whole new level. It’s all sorts of strange, clever, and wildly creative — yet, very relatable. While Stree was scary and subversive and Bhediya went into the wilds, Thamma conquers the territory by merging horror with love and, thus, leaving a cinematic experience that is totally different.  The story revolves around the forest of myths where the past is still alive and the ancient guardians are awakening. Not Thamma by any means, but it still manages to conjure up a bizarre fantasy universe complete with its own laws, curses, and consequences. Compared to other supernatural thrillers, this one is basically an emotional comedy with a dose of humor and the human instinct to save those whom we love even if it costs our lives. It doesn’t become scary but rather keeps its faith. The movie is funny but not farcical. It is also emotional without being overly dramatic.  One of the main characters is journalist protagonist Khurrana from a small town. His incidental supernatural experience leads to a series of events that is not in his capacity to grasp the enormity of it. In the first half, he is simply lovable and relatable but later on he becomes quite intense. Mandanna delivers an emotional performance that is also very down-to-earth. She has the fire as well as the delicate side of her nature and does not go for the usual stereotypical trope of horror comedy being over-the-top.  The continuing part is just an explosive work of art — it features fight, change of characters, and a breathtaking fight between Alok and Bhediya (Varun Dhawan). Special effects are of great quality and the confrontation between these two forces is signaling their underlying relationship which will definitely influence this cinematic universe storyline in the future. Such a moment of grandeur is the kind of moment in which you wish to applaud in a jam-packed hall, and subsequently, you are left with more questions than answers. How are these two characters related? I promise; the answer will be beyond your imagination.  On the subject of universe-building, the movie is full of Easter eggs and a few character recalls, but one highlights: the comeback of Sar Kata, the frightening character from Stree, who ominously appears, signaling the massive danger that lies ahead for the Maddock horror-verse. To be honest, the connection between Stree 2 and Thamma is quite strong, and by the time you get to the end, it’s only evident that it’s something huge that is on its way. The seeds of a mega-crossover have been dropped.  The acting, in general, is great. Paresh Rawal offers a great comic relief performance as the sarcastic and sharp-witted father while Nawazuddin Siddiqui dominates the movie with his intense and dark presence. The upward movement of his character feels like the dawn of something bigger and maybe a major factor in the future war of good vs. evil in this ever-expanding universe.  Following that is the comeback of Sathyaraj as Elvis, the idiosyncratic paranormal expert who got the nickname Hand of God. However, this time, he is not only here for the laughs — his arrival subtly changes the bigger picture. In a significant moment, Elvis points to a vital connection between Alok’s freshly changed Betaal and Bhediya, the one who was last seen grappling with Sar Kata in Stree 2. It’s a clever, low-key link that signals the coming events and the Maddock universe fans will instantly get the excitement of the bigger plot unfolding.  Moreover, the talked-about Nora Fatehi cameo is not only a glam reel but also an addition to the lore. Her unveiling provides a wonderful emotional connection to Stree and is a massive high point for long-time fans of the universe. Being a kind of fan service, it rewards attention and gives a totally different perspective to everything that we thought we knew about this world. Is she the one who opens the door to its secrets or something else?  Before the release, the buzz was mostly about item numbers and flashy visuals. However, Thamma, turn, defies the expectation. In the typical Maddock manner, every song in this movie has its function-character revelation, story advancement, or myth deepening. There are no unnecessary diversions, no hollow spectacles, only the narrative-driven songs that keep the emotional part of the story going. It is a very important revamp of the Bollywood horror formula and the result is great.  Director: Aditya Sarpotdar,  Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Paresh Rawal, Sathyaraj, Fasial Malik, Geeta Aggarwal, Rachit Singh and others"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aPddOLpReVYa3gmP_thamma.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2025-10-21T05:25:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mod_oXpftJA"}},"uid":"review-thamma---a-fiery-blockbuster-ride"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"title":{"text":"'తెలుసు కదా' రివ్యూ... ఎమోషనల్‌ ఎంటర్‌టైన్‌మెంట్‌"},"content":{"text":"డీజే టిల్లు సినిమా తర్వాత స్టార్‌ బాయ్‌గా ఒక్కసారిగా లైమ్‌ లైట్‌లోకి వచ్చిన సిద్దు జొన్నలగడ్డ ఆ తర్వాత బ్యాక్ టు బ్యాక్‌ సినిమాలతో ప్రేక్షకుల ముందుకు వచ్చాడు. టిల్లు స్క్వేర్‌ ఆకట్టుకుంది, కానీ ఇటీవల వచ్చిన జాక్ సినిమా మాత్రం నిరాశ పరిచింది. దాంతో సిద్దు తదుపరి సినిమా విషయంలో ఆడియన్స్‌తో పాటు అన్ని వర్గాల ప్రేక్షకుల్లో అంచనాలు ఉన్నాయి. విభిన్నమైన కాన్సెప్ట్‌తో తెలుసు కదా రూపొందినట్లు టీజర్‌, ట్రైలర్‌, ప్రమోషనల్‌ స్టఫ్‌ ను చూస్తే అర్థం అవుతుంది. ముఖ్యంగా ట్రైలర్‌ చూసిన తర్వాత కాస్త బోల్డ్‌ కంటెంట్‌ అనే అభిప్రాయం ఏర్పడింది. మరి సినిమా ఎలా ఉంది? సిద్దుకి మరో విజయం దక్కిందా అనేది ఈ రివ్యూలో చూద్దాం.  కథ : అనాథ అయిన వరుణ్‌ (సిద్దు జొన్నలగడ్డ) తనకంటూ ఒక ఫ్యామిలీ ఉండాలి, పిల్లలు ఉండాలని కలలు కంటూ ఉంటాడు. చాలా నిజాయితీగా ఉంటూ రాగ కుమార్‌(శ్రీనిధి శెట్టి)ని ప్రాణంగా ప్రేమిస్తాడు. కానీ ఆమె బ్రేకప్‌ చేసి వెళ్లి పోవడంతో పెళ్లి చేసుకుని ఫ్యామిలీ ఏర్పాటు చేసుకోవాలి నిర్ణయించుకుంటాడు. మ్యాట్రిమోనీ ద్వారా అంజలి శర్మ(రాశి ఖన్నా) తో వరుణ్‌ కి పరిచయం అవుతుంది. ఆ పరిచయం ప్రేమగా మారి, పెళ్లి చేసుకుంటారు.  వరుణ్‌, అంజలి పెళ్లి చేసుకున్న తర్వాత చాలా పెద్ద షాకింగ్‌ విషయం తెలుస్తుంది, ఆ వెంటనే బ్రేకప్‌ చెప్పి వెళ్లి పోయిన రాగ సైతం వరుణ్‌ జీవితంలోకి వచ్చేందుకు రెడీ అవుతుంది.  అప్పుడు వరుణ్‌ ఏం చేశాడు? ఇంతకు పెళ్లి తర్వాత వరుణ్‌, అంజలికి తెలిసిన షాకింగ్‌ విషయం ఏంటి? ఈ ట్రయాంగిల్‌ స్టోరీ చివరకు ఏమైంది? అనేది సినిమా చూసి తెలుసుకోండి.  నటీనటుల నటన : ఎప్పటిలాగే సిద్దు జొన్నలగడ్డ మొత్తం బాధ్యత తన భుజాల మీద వేసుకుని సినిమాను మోసుకు వెళ్లాడు. ఆయన డైలాగ్‌ డెలివరి, ఎమోషనల్‌ సీన్స్‌, సెంటిమెంట్‌ సీన్స్‌, రొమాంటిక్ సీన్స్ ఇలా ప్రతి ఒక్కదాంట్లోనూ ఆకట్టుకున్నాడు. హీరోయిన్స్‌తో ఆయన చేసిన సన్నివేశాల్లో హీరోయిన్స్‌ ను కంటే ఆయన్ను చూడాలి అనిపించే విధంగా ఉంది. మొత్తంగా సిద్దు జొన్నలగడ్డ తెలుసు కదా బాధ్యత మొత్తం తీసుకుని సక్సెస్‌ అయ్యాడు. ఆయన డైలాగ్‌ డెలివరీ గతంతో పోల్చితే కాస్త మాస్‌ ఎలిమెంట్స్ తగ్గిందని చెప్పాలి. అయినా కూడా బాగుంది. సిద్దు లుక్ పరంగానూ ఆకట్టుకున్నాడు.  హీరోయిన్‌ శ్రీనిధి శెట్టి లుక్స్‌ పరంగా ఆకట్టుకుంది. యాక్టింగ్‌తోనూ మెప్పించింది. లవ్‌ సీన్స్‌తో పాటు, కొన్ని సెంటిమెంట్‌ సీన్స్‌లో శ్రీనిధి ఆకట్టుకుంది. సిద్దుకు సరైన జోడీ అన్నట్లుగా నటించింది. రొమాంటిక్ సీన్స్ విషయంలో కాస్త ఇబ్బంది పడ్డట్లుగా అనిపించినా ఓవరాల్‌గా తన పాత్రకు న్యాయం చేసింది. హీరోయిన్‌ రాశి ఖన్నా సైతం తన పాత్రకు న్యాయం చేసింది. సిద్దు ను వివాహం చేసుకున్న తర్వాత కొన్ని షాకింగ్ సంఘటనలు ఎదుర్కోవాల్సి వస్తుంది. ఆ సమయంలో ఆమె నటన బాగుంది. చాలా సహజంగా ఆ సీన్స్‌లో ఎమోషన్‌ పండించింది. ఓవరాల్‌గా రాశి ఖన్నా సైతం అంజలి పాత్రకు ప్రాణం పోసినట్లుగా నటించి మెప్పించింది. ఇక వైవా హర్ష కామెడీ ఇంకాస్త మెరుగ్గా ఉండాల్సింది. తనకు వచ్చిన అవకాశంను సద్వినియోగం చేసుకున్నాడు.  టెక్నికల్‌ : ఈ సినిమాకి సంగీతాన్ని అందించిన తమన్‌ పూర్తి స్థాయిలో సంతృప్తి పరిచాడు. రెండు పాటలు చాలా బాగున్నాయి. సినిమా విడుదలకు ముందే అవి మంచి విజయాన్ని సొంతం చేసుకున్న విషయం తెల్సిందే. సినిమాలో ఆ పాటలు చాలా బాగున్నాయి. ఇక బ్యాక్‌ గ్రౌండ్‌ స్కోర్‌తోనూ సినిమా స్థాయిని పెంచాడు. ఓవరాల్‌గా తమన్‌ అందించిన సంగీతం తెలుసు కదా కి ప్రధాన ఆకర్షణగా నిలిచింది అనడంలో సందేహం లేదు.  సినిమాటోగ్రఫీ బాగుంది. సినిమాను గ్రాండ్‌ గా చూపించడంలో సినిమాటోగ్రఫీ పని చేసింది. దర్శకురాలు నీరజ కోన స్క్రీన్‌ ప్లే విషయంలో ఇంకాస్త వినోదాన్ని జోడించి ఉంటే బాగుండేది. సినిమా సీరియస్ నోడ్‌ లో సాగినట్లు అనిపిస్తుంది. ఎడిటింగ్‌లో చిన్న చిన్న లోపాలు మినహా అంతా బాగానే ఉంది. ఆకట్టుకునే విధంగా డైలాగ్స్ ఉన్నాయి. నిర్మాణాత్మక విలువలు బాగున్నాయి. సినిమాలో ఉన్న ప్రతి నటీనటుడు ఔట్‌ ఫిట్‌ పాత్రకు తగ్గట్లుగా బాగున్నాయి.  విశ్లేషణ : స్టార్‌ బాయ్‌ సిద్దు జొన్నలగడ్డ మరోసారి తన నటనతో మెప్పించాడు. కేవలం తాను మాత్రమే చేయగలను అన్నట్లుగా వరుణ్ పాత్రలో నటించి మెప్పించాడు. సినిమా ప్రారంభం అయినప్పటి నుంచి చివరి వరకు పాత్ర నుంచి బయటకు రాకుండా ఆకట్టుకున్నాడు. ట్రైలర్‌ చూసిన సమయంలో వరుణ్‌ పాత్ర అంటే సిద్దు జొన్నలగడ్డను నెగటివ్‌ షేడ్స్‌ లో చూస్తామా అనిపించింది.  కానీ సినిమాలో ఆయన పాత్ర ప్రతి కుర్రాడికి కనెక్ట్‌ అయ్యే విధంగా ఉంది. మంచి ఎమోషనల్‌ సీన్స్ ఉన్నాయి, అయితే ఎంటర్‌టైన్‌మెంట్‌, రెగ్యులర్‌ మాస్‌ ఎలిమెంట్స్‌, యాక్షన్‌ సీన్స్ కోరుకున్న వారు మాత్రం కాస్త నిరుత్సాహం వ్యక్తం చేస్తారు. పక్కా కమర్షియల్‌ మూవీ అన్నట్లుగా లేదు. ఎమోషనల్‌ లవ్‌ కమ్‌ రొమాంటిక్ సీన్స్‌ లో సినిమా సాగింది. అందుకే సినిమా స్లోగా సాగింది అనిపిస్తుంది. ఓవరాల్‌గా సినిమా చూడదగ్గట్లుగా ఉంది.  ప్లస్ పాయింట్స్ : సిద్దు జొన్నలగడ్డ, తమన్ సంగీతం, కొన్ని లవ్‌, రొమాంటిక్ సీన్స్‌  మైనస్ పాయింట్స్ : సెకండ్‌ హాఫ్‌ లో స్లో కథనం, రెగ్యులర్‌ కమర్షియల్‌ ఎలిమెంట్స్ లేకపోవడం, మెయిన్‌ లీడ్‌ కాకుండా ఇతర నటీనటులకు ప్రాధాన్యత లేదు  చివరగా.. ఈతరం యూత్‌ ఇష్టపడే రోమ్‌కామ్‌ మూవీ ఇది. జస్ట్‌ టైం పాస్‌కి చూడాలి అనుకుంటే తప్పకుండా వెళ్లవచ్చు.  బ్యానర్ : పీపుల్స్ మీడియా ఫ్యాక్టరీ  నిర్మాత : టీజీ విశ్వప్రసాద్‌, కృతి ప్రసాద్‌  దర్శకత్వం : నీరజ కోన  సంగీతం : తమన్‌  తారాగణం : సిద్దు జొన్నలగడ్డ, రాశి ఖన్నా, శ్రీనిధి శెట్టి, వైవా హర్ష తదితరులు"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aPIUlZ5xUNkB2FbH_TK.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2025-10-17T09:30:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clB21Xnu_SU"}},"uid":"review-telusu-kada---emotional-entertainment"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"title":{"text":"'మిత్ర మండలి' రివ్యూ - నవ్వించలేక పోయిన కామెడీ"},"content":{"text":"ఈ మధ్య కాలంలో చిన్న సినిమాలకు మంచి స్పందన లభిస్తుంది, ఆ సినిమాల్లో కామెడీ ఉంటే ప్రేక్షకులు బ్రహ్మరథం పడుతున్నారు. అందుకే మిత్ర మండలి సినిమా గురించి మొదటి నుంచి ప్రముఖంగా చర్చ జరుగుతోంది. ముఖ్యంగా ఈ సినిమాను బన్నీ వాసు సమర్పించేందుకు ముందుకు రావడంతో ఖచ్చితంగా కంటెంట్‌ ఉన్న సినిమా అనే అభిప్రాయం వ్యక్తం అయింది. కనుక సినిమా చూడాలని చాలా మంది అనుకున్నారు. మరి సినిమా ఆ స్థాయిలో ఉందా అనేది ఈ రివ్యూలో చూద్దాం.  కథ : కులం అంటే ప్రాణం ఇవ్వడానికి అయినా, తీయడానికి అయినా రెడీ అన్నంతగా కుల పిచ్చి ఉన్న నారాయణ (వీటీవీ గణేష్‌) కూతురు స్వేఛ్చ (నిహారిక) ఇంటి నుంచి పారిపోతుంది. కులంలో పరువు పోతుందని, రాజకీయ జీవితం దెబ్బ తింటుందనే ఉద్దేశంతో కూతురు బయటకు వెళ్లిన విషయం రహస్యంగా ఉంచుతాడు. అయితే తన కూతురు వెతకడానికి ఎస్సై సాగర్‌(వెన్నెల కిషోర్‌) కి పని అప్పజెప్పుతాడు. అతడు స్వేచ్చ పారిపోవడానికి నలుగురు కుర్రాళ్లు కారణం అని అనుమానిస్తాడు.  ఆ నలుగురు కుర్రాళ్లు స్వేచ్చ వల్ల ఎలాంటి ఇబ్బందులు ఎదుర్కొన్నారు అనేది ఈ సినిమా కథ. ఇంతకు స్వేచ్చ ఎటు వెళ్లి పోయింది? చివరకు ఏమైంది? అనేది సినిమా చూసి తెలుసుకోవాల్సిందే.  నటీనటుల నటన : ఈ సినిమాలో నటీనటులు చాలా మందే ఉన్నారు. వీటీవీ గణేష్‌ తన నటనతో నవ్వు తెప్పించే ప్రయత్నం చేశాడు. వెన్నెల కిషోర్‌ తనదైన శైలిలో కామెడీ పండించే ప్రయత్నం చేశారు. కానీ ఆయనది ఇందులో ఓవర్‌ యాక్షన్‌ అనిపించింది. వెన్నెల కిషోర్‌ పాత్ర పెద్దగా ఆకట్టుకోలేదు.  ప్రియదర్శి పాత్ర మెయిన్‌ లీడ్‌లా అనిపించినా కథలో ఆయన ప్రాధాన్యత అంతగా లేదనే చెప్పాలి. ఇంతకు ముందు ఆయన చేసిన సినిమాలతో పోల్చితే ఈ సినిమాలో ఆయన పాత్ర నిరాశను కలిగించింది. పాత్రకు తగ్గట్లుగా నటించాడు.  నిహారిక ఎన్‌ ఎం ఈ సినిమాలో కీలకంగా ఉంది. అయితే ఆమె నటన నేచురాలిటీకి దూరంగా ఉంది అనిపించింది. ఇతర పాత్రల్లో నటించిన వారు వారి పాత్రల పరిధిలో నటించారు.  టెక్నికల్‌ : ఆర్‌ ఆర్ ధ్రువన్‌ అందించిన బ్యాక్ గ్రౌండ్‌ స్కోర్‌ ఏమాత్రం ఆకట్టుకోలేదు. ఒక పాట పర్వాలేదు, కొన్ని సీన్స్‌ లో బ్యాక్ గ్రౌండ్‌ స్కోర్‌ పేలవంగా ఉండటంతో బోర్‌ అనిపించింది. సినిమాటోగ్రఫీ పర్వాలేదు అన్నట్లుగా ఉంది. కొన్ని సీన్స్‌ సాగతీసినట్లుగా ఉన్నాయి. ఎడిటింగ్‌ విషయంలో చాలా లోపాలు ఉన్నాయి.  దర్శకుడు కథను కామెడీగా చెప్పే ప్రయత్నం చేశాడు. కానీ కామెడీ పండించడంలో విఫలం అయ్యాడు. నిర్మాణాత్మక విలువలు పర్వాలేదు అన్నట్లుగా ఉన్నాయి. మాటలు కొన్ని సీన్స్‌లో బాగున్నాయి. కొన్ని సీన్స్‌ లో పరమ రొటీన్‌గా ఉన్నాయి.  విశ్లేషణ : చిన్న సినిమాలకు మంచి ఆధరణ ఉంటుందని, కామెడీ సినిమాలతో వస్తే తప్పకుండా ఆకట్టుకుంటుందని భావించి ఇలాంటి సినిమాలు తీస్తున్నారు. కానీ కామెడీ సినిమాల పేరుతో ప్రేక్షకుల ముందుకు వచ్చి కామెడీ లేకుండా సినిమాలను చేయడం ఏంటని ఈ సినిమాను చూస్తే అనిపిస్తుంది.  ఒకటి రెండు సీన్స్‌ తప్ప ఎక్కడా ఆకట్టుకోలేక పోయారు. సినిమా స్టోరీ లైన్ బాగానే ఉంది. కానీ దాన్ని పూర్తి కథగా మార్చిన తీరు మాత్రం బాగాలేదు. ఓవరాల్‌గా సినిమా ఏమాత్రం ఆకట్టుకోలేదు. నటీనటుల నటన బాగాలేదు, కథ ఏమాత్రం బాగాలేదు, అయినా కూడా కామెడీతో నెట్టుకు వస్తారు అనుకుంటే అది కూడా లేదు. కామెడీ లేకుండా కామెడీ సినిమాను చూసినట్లుగా అనిపించింది.  ప్లస్‌ పాయింట్స్ : సత్య కామెడీ తప్ప ఏమీ లేదు  మైనస్ పాయింట్స్ : కథ, స్క్రీన్‌ ప్లే, కామెడీ ఆశించిన స్థాయి లో లేకపోవడం, సెకండ్‌ హాఫ్‌  చివరగా.. మిత్ర మండలిలో కామెడీ లోపించింది  బ్యానర్ : సప్త అశ్వ మీడియా వర్క్స్, వైరా ఎంటర్‌టైన్‌మెంట్స్  నిర్మాత : కళ్యాణ్ మంతిన, భాను ప్రతాప, బన్నీ వాసు  దర్శకత్వం : విజయేందర్‌  సంగీతం : ఆర్‌ ఆర్‌ ధ్రువన్‌  తారాగణం : ప్రియదర్శి, నిహారిక ఎన్‌ఎం, ప్రసాద్‌ బెహరా, వెన్నెల కిషోర్‌, సత్య, వీటీ గణేష్‌, విష్ణు ఓ ఐ, రాగ్‌ మయూర్‌ తదితరులు"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aPDW4J5xUNkB2C7l_MITHRAMANDALIREVIEW.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2025-10-16T09:28:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGXMm4Cx6Po"}},"uid":"review-mitramandali---comedy-less"}}]}},"pageContext":{"isCreatedByStatefulCreatePages":true}}