{"data":{"all":{"edges":[{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment","featured","three"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Suriya Soars in 'Karuppu'"},"content":{"text":"After a protracted wait marked by numerous delays, Suriya's much-anticipated film 'Karuppu' has finally graced theaters, marking a significant moment in Tamil cinema. Early reviews from enthusiastic fans have proclaimed it a resounding success, particularly highlighting Suriya's compelling performance and Sai Abhyankkar's stirring musical score. As audiences flock to cinemas, social media buzzes with praise, with many calling it a definitive commercial entertainer that delivers on both emotional and action-packed fronts. Critics have taken note of the film’s structure, with a noticeable split between its emotionally charged first half and a more action-oriented second half. One user on X described the initial segment as brimming with a solid narrative and an emotional depth that resonates with viewers, while the latter half, although perceived as lacking in story coherence, still manages to captivate and entertain. This juxtaposition of strengths has resonated well with audiences, as they engage in enthusiastic discussions about the film's myriad moments that evoke cheers and applause within the theater. 'Karuppu' is not merely another addition to Suriya's illustrious filmography; it is a reflection of his evolution as an actor and a testament to the collaborative efforts behind the camera. Directed by RJ Balaji, who has adeptly transitioned from actor to filmmaker, the project showcases the collective talents of a skilled crew, including cinematographer GK Vishnu and editor R Kalaivanan. The film's music, composed by Sai Abhyankkar, marks an important milestone in his career, serving as a backbone to the narrative and receiving commendations for its impactful background score that heightens key scenes. In terms of storyline, 'Karuppu' features Suriya in the titular role of Saravanan, with Trisha portraying the character of Preethi. The film includes a vibrant ensemble cast, featuring notable talents such as Natty Natraj and Mansoor Ali Khan. Despite some criticisms regarding logical inconsistencies and character development—particularly in Trisha's role—the overall reception has leaned towards appreciation, with fans labeling it as a true representation of commercial cinema. Audience reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, with many dubbing 'Karuppu' a blockbuster in the making, signifying a triumphant return for Suriya to the big screen."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/abvJtrbci2UF6Qf4_kuruppu.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-15T10:48:20+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"suriya-soars-in-karuppu-a-cinematic-triumph-ignites-fan-excitement-mp6snot4"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"AUS HM Tony Burke Declares Love for SRK"},"content":{"text":"In a compelling revelation, Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has publicly expressed his admiration for Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, naming the actor's 2007 film *Om Shanti Om* as his \"favourite of all time.\" During an engaging appearance on the Indian Link podcast hosted by Pawan Luthra, Burke's candid enthusiasm for Khan's cinematic oeuvre stood out, as he offered insights into his preferences in Indian cinema, which also include other notable works like *Chak De! India* and *Jodhaa Akbar*. This endorsement not only highlights the universal appeal of Khan's work but also underscores the cultural bridges being built through the medium of film. Burke's remarks came during a discussion on Bollywood, where he enthusiastically declared himself a long-time follower of Shah Rukh Khan's contributions to the industry. His affection for *Om Shanti Om* is particularly noteworthy; the film, which marked the debut of actress Deepika Padukone, has become a cultural touchstone within the Indian diaspora. The Minister's fondness for the film was further amplified when he reflected on its memorable tagline about happy endings, stating, \"Simple happy endings... if it's not happy, it's not the end, the story is not over yet,\" a sentiment that resonates with many in today's complex societal landscape. Delving deeper into the realm of music, Burke did not shy away from praising the work of the Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman, whose scores have become synonymous with Indian cinema's global ascent. His appreciation for *Chak De! India* also reflects an intriguing connection, as portions of the film were shot in major Australian cities like Sydney and Melbourne, enhancing its appeal to local audiences. Furthermore, Burke's lighthearted admission of having cheered for India during the cricket-themed *Lagaan* illustrates the playful yet passionate nature of his engagement with Indian films and sports alike. As an Australian politician, Burke's affinity for Indian cinema exemplifies the growing cultural exchange between the two nations. Bollywood films, with their rich narratives and vibrant music, serve as a window into Indian society for many Australians, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of its diverse culture. Burke's declarations, while personal, reflect a broader trend of international figures embracing and celebrating the arts, demonstrating how films like *Om Shanti Om* can transcend borders and resonate with audiences worldwide."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aKRWkKTt2nPbadL__srk.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-15T10:48:22+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"a-ministers-ode-to-bollywood-tony-burke-declares-shah-rukh-khan-his-ultimate-fav-mp6snqqx"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment","featured","two"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Cannes 2026: Alia Steals the Spotlight "},"content":{"text":"Alia Bhatt made waves at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, enchanting attendees with a striking ensemble that effortlessly bridged the opulence of Regency-era aesthetics and the intricacies of Indian craftsmanship. The acclaimed actress, known for her bold sartorial choices, donned an exquisite piece by designer Tarun Tahiliani, a look that has since ignited discussions across fashion forums and social media. This regal attire marked a departure from her previous fairytale-inspired outfits, positioning Bhatt as a dominant force in this year's fashion narrative at Cannes. Tahiliani's creation, inspired by the lavish world of popular period dramas such as *Bridgerton*, was custom-crafted for Bhatt's appearance, featuring a rich palette of muted ivory and deep burgundy. The interplay between structured Victorian silhouettes and the fluidity of traditional Indian draping was evident in the ensemble, which showcased detailed corsetry and sculpted tailoring. This contemporary reinterpretation of Indian chintz traditions underlines a seamless fusion of Western and Eastern fashion influences that have become a hallmark of this year’s red carpet encounters. The Cannes Film Festival has long served as a global platform for showcasing not just cinematic talent but also the evolving landscape of fashion. Bhatt’s latest look exemplifies the growing trend of integrating heritage into modern couture, reflecting a broader cultural narrative where traditional techniques are celebrated and innovatively reimagined. This significant moment for Bhatt highlights a shift in the fashion dialogue, where Indian designers are increasingly gaining international acclaim, bringing their rich textile heritage into conversations dominated by Western fashion paradigms. Alia Bhatt's styling choices further enhanced the regal essence of her ensemble. With her hair elegantly swept into a refined bun, the understated beauty look allowed the intricate details of her outfit to shine. Complementing the ensemble, Bhatt adorned herself with opulent jewelry from Sunita Shekhawat Jaipur and Amrapali Jewels, while additional accents from A Jewels by Anmol added to the East-meets-West narrative. Each meticulously chosen piece reinforced her position at the intersection of luxury fashion and cultural storytelling, making her one of the most talked-about figures at Cannes 2026."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/agddQaYofJOwHSQs_alia.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-15T10:48:25+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"cannes-2026-alia-bhatt-steals-the-spotlight-in-a-regal-tarun-tahiliani-creation-mp6snt5t"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Social Media Accounts Booked in Bandi Case"},"content":{"text":"Cyberabad Police have registered cases against social media accounts, which posted photos and videos of the victim in the POCSO case registered against Minister of State for Home Affairs, Bandi Sanjay Kumar's son Bandi Bhageerath, officials said on Friday. The cases have been registered at the Pet Basheerabad Police Station, where the POCSO case was booked against Bhageerath on May 8. \"Based on the complaint lodged by the Child Welfare Committee Chairperson of Medchal-Malkajgiri district, regarding the circulation of photos, videos, and other identifying details of the victim girl and her parents a case under Section 74 of the Juvenile Justice Act, Section 72(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 23 of the POCSO Act has been registered,\" the Pet Basheerabad police Station Station House Officer (SHO) K. Vijaya Vardhan said. The Instagram and Facebook account IDs along with relevant URLs involved in the circulation of such content have been identified and forwarded to the concerned authorities for tracing the handlers of these accounts and bringing them to justice. Cases have also been booked against the social media handlers who published the photos, videos and information of the victim and her parents, according to a statement by the SHO. \"The police officer said that revealing the identity or personal details of a girl child/victim and her family involved in POCSO cases, causes severe emotional distress to the victim and constitutes a serious legal violation. Strict legal action will be taken against anyone involved in such acts,\" SHO Vijaya Vardhan added. A case under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act was registered against Bhageerath on May 8 at Pet Basheerabad Police Station for alleged sexual assault on a 17-year-old girl. On a complaint by the victim that Bhageerath sexually assaulted her at a farmhouse in Moinabad, the police registered a case under Section 11 read with Section 12 of POCSO Act and Sections 74 and 75 of BNS. The accused also lodged a counter-complaint in Karimnagar, alleging that the girl's family attempted to extort Rs 5 crore by threatening to implicate him in a false case. After Deputy Commissioner of Police Ritiraj spoke to the victim on Tuesday to gather more details in the POCSO case, police invoked harsher provisions of POCSO Act. Section 5 (1) read with 6 was added to the FIR. The section deals with aggravated penetrative sexual assault and caries a punishment that may extend up to 20 years imprisonment or more. Bhageerath was served a notice by the police, directing him to appear before the investigating officer on May 13. He did not appear but sent a letter to the investigating officer, seeking two days' time to appear. The 25-year-old Bhageerath approached the Telangana High Court, seek orders to quash POCSO case against him. He also sought anticipatory bail. The court heard arguments on Thursday and posted the case to next week for further hearing. The court also said that it would pronounce orders on Friday on the petitioner's plea for interim bail."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/agHhXKYofJOwHFDe_bandison.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-15T14:15:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"social-media-accounts-booked-in-bandi-case"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Train Coach Blaze at Nampally"},"content":{"text":"A fire broke out in an empty train coach of Hyderabad-Jaipur Special Train stationed at Nampally Railway Station here on Friday. However, there were no casualties. The fire broke out in an airconditioned coach and spread to the adjoining coach. The incident occurred around 6:45 p.m., ahead of the train's scheduled departure at 7:50 a.m. Railway staff noticed smoke emanating from the coach and alerted fire services department. Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) personnel along with firefighting personnel rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control. Three fire engines were pressed into service to control the blaze. The incident triggered panic among passengers at the railway station. Railway staff evacuated passengers from other compartments. According to South Central Railway (SCR) spokesman, a fire was noticed in an empty coach of Hyderabad-Jaipur Special Train which was stationed at the platform. The spokesman said no passengers were inside the coach. No injuries reported and the fire was brought under control immediately. The affected coaches (B1 and B2) were detached. The cause of the fire was not immediately known. Railway officials have ordered an inquiry. Authorities were assessing the extent of the damage. There was no report of any major disruption to train operations at the station. Meanwhile, a huge fire broke out in a storehouse of decoration material at near Kongarkalan village in Adibatla in Rangareddy district on the outskirts of Hyderabad. No casualties were reported. According to the police, fire broke out in the warehouse storing decorative items behind PSR Sloka Convention Hall. The fire spread rapidly as decorative items made of plastic and wood were stored. Thick black smoke covered the area. Fire tenders rushed to the spot and controlled the fire. The cause of the fire was not known. Police said they have registered a case and the case was under investigation."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad%2F5d92d76b-4080-48ac-9255-455e1de5f782_fire.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C54%2C1200%2C592&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-15T15:29:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"train-coach-blaze-at-nampally"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Kamal Haasan Drops Truth Bomb on Cinema"},"content":{"text":"Pointing out that India too, like the rest of the world, was feeling the impact of rising fuel, energy, logistics, and production costs as a result of the continuing crisis in West Asia, actor and parliamentarian Kamal Haasan on Friday underlined the need for the Indian film industry to evolve practical and sustainable operating practices for efficient filmmaking and urged the different stakeholders of the Indian film industry to have a conversation on how to collectively navigate the economic challenges that lay ahead. Taking to his X timeline to share his thoughts on the issue, Kamal Haasan said, \"The continuing crisis in West Asia is deepening and the world is facing growing pressure on energy, trade, logistics, and economic stability. India too is inevitably feeling the impact of rising fuel, energy, logistics, and production costs.\" The versatile actor went on to add, \"For the Indian film industry, this comes at a time when budgets are already escalating and market recoveries remain uneven. Rising costs will not affect film production alone. Consumer spending patterns for entertainment may also change in the months ahead due to inflationary pressures.The burden will inevitably fall on producers, workers, theatres, distributors, financiers, and the entire ecosystem. If cinema must continue to grow, we must ensure that every rupee spent serves the film, and not merely the appearance of scale.\" However, the actor was clear that any correction in cinema economics must never come at the cost of workers' wages, safety, dignity, food, transport, accommodation, or humane working conditions.  \"The burden cannot fall on those who labour the hardest. The correction we need is elsewhere: in avoidable waste, poor planning, inflated entourage culture, unnecessary foreign travel, production delays, and the growing disconnect between spending and purpose.\" Calling for a meeting between the different stakeholders of the Indian film industry, Kamal Haasan said, \"I believe this is the right time for a meeting of minds across the Indian cinema industry. I urge an industry-wide conversation between producers, actors, directors, unions, studios, exhibitors, distributors, OTT platforms, and guilds towards an industry-wide dialogue on how we collectively navigate the economic challenges ahead.\" He went on to say, \"Together, we must evolve practical and sustainable operating practices for efficient filmmaking: better shooting discipline, tighter schedules, reduced luxury and entourage expenses, limiting avoidable foreign travel where suitable local alternatives exist, conserving energy across sets and studios, and encouraging sustainable set construction and reuse of materials.\" Stating that extravagance had often been mistaken for scale, the veteran actor, director and producer pointed out that some of our greatest films had been made not with excess, but with \"clarity, discipline, and conviction.\" \"The national call for responsible consumption and collective discipline is a timely reminder that every sector must act with foresight and restraint in periods of global uncertainty. The Indian film industry too must rise to the occasion.This is a time for national interest over personal interest. Our industry shapes culture, influences thought, and reaches millions of people every single day; cinema carries responsibilities beyond entertainment alone. Those of us who have received the most from this industry must lead by example first. If we protect the economics of cinema today, we protect the future of cinema tomorrow,\" he said."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aXdKlAIvOtkhB7kR_kamal.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-05-15T13:45:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"kamal-haasan-drops-truth-bomb-on-cinema"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment","featured","four"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Divyenndu sets foot in ‘Peddi’ as Rambujji"},"content":{"text":"Actor Divyenndu’s character of Rambujji from the upcoming film ‘Peddi’ was unveiled on Friday. Taking to their social media, the makers of Peddi shared a glimpse of his character from the sets of the film. They wrote in the caption, \"Say Hi to #Rambujji. The GAME is about to start! watch @divyenndu in the world of #PEDDI. #PEDDITrailer from May 18th. PEDDI in cinemas worldwide on June 4th. #GetReadyForPeddi”. ‘Peddi’ is one of the biggest releases of the year. It is directed by Buchi Babu Sana and backed by Vriddhi Cinemas and Mythri Movie Makers. The film stars Ram Charan, Janhvi Kapoor in the lead roles along with Jagapathi Babu and Shiva Rajkumar. Prior to this, the makers released the film’s teaser, followed by the ‘Chikiri Chikiri’ song and the ‘Rai Rai Raa Raa’ song. Adding to the growing hype is the film’s music, which has already become one of its biggest talking points. The first single, ‘Chikiri Chikiri’, composed by A. R. Rahman, struck a chord instantly with its infectious energy and crossed 200 million views across platforms. Following its success, ‘Rai Rai Raa Raa’ further elevated the buzz with energetic visuals and grand choreography, amassing over 66 million YouTube views. Written and directed by Buchi Babu Sana, the film is produced by Venkata Satish Kilaru under his banner Vriddhi Cinemas, in collaboration with Mythri Movie Makers. ‘Peddi’ will be released in North India by Jio Studios. The film will have its premiere across the world on June 3, 2026, followed by its worldwide theatrical release on June 4, 2026."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/agcbVaYofJOwHRg-_divyendu.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-15T11:42:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"divyenndu-sets-foot-in-peddi-as-rambujji"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Rajini's Reaction to Vijay's CM Oath"},"content":{"text":"Tamil Nadu witnessed a once-in-a-generation cinematic moment turning into political history as Thalapathy Vijay officially took oath as Chief Minister on May 10 at the iconic Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium. For fans, this wasn’t just a swearing-in ceremony — it felt like the climax of a film decades in the making. The man who ruled screens with mass dialogues and powerful roles has now stepped into real-life leadership, carrying with him the hopes of millions who once cheered him in theatres. What made this moment even more emotional was the reaction — or silence — of cinema’s biggest legends. When Rajinikanth was asked about Vijay’s rise, his response said everything without saying a word. A gentle smile, folded hands, and quiet acknowledgment — classic Rajini style. It was less of a statement and more of a blessing. Meanwhile, Mammootty’s humble “Onnume theriyatha” (I don’t know) added a touch of simplicity, reminding fans that sometimes, even superstars choose grace over grand reactions. But not everyone stayed silent. Kamal Haasan led the wave of open support, expressing hope and confidence in Vijay’s leadership. Celebrities like Vivek Oberoi and Simran joined thousands of fans on social media, pouring in emotional messages that blurred the line between reel admiration and real-world belief. For fans, this is more than politics — it’s a proud transition of their hero from silver screen savior to a leader shaping the future of Tamil Nadu. This is not just Vijay’s victory. It’s a rare moment where cinema, emotion, and governance intersect — where fan whistles evolve into public expectations. And as the curtains rise on this new chapter, one thing is clear: the story has just begun, and all of Tamil Nadu is now watching, not from theatre seats, but from real life."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/agb4i6YofJOwHRPo_Rajinikanth.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C125%2C925%2C456&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-15T10:42:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"rajinis-reaction-to-vijays-cm-oath"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Anusuya's character in 'Nagabandham' revealed!"},"content":{"text":"The makers of director Abhishek Nama's much-awaited mythological action drama 'Nagabandham', featuring actor Virat Karrna in the lead, have now revealed that actress Anusuya Bharadwaj plays a character called Leelavathi in the film.  Taking to its social media timelines to share Anusuya Bharadwaj's look in the film on the occasion of her birthday on Friday, the production house Nik Studios wrote,  \"A fierce woman led by echoes not her own. Happy Birthday to our 'Leelavathi' aka @anusuyakhasba. #NAGABANDHAM In Cinemas Worldwide On July 3rd. #AbhishekNama #KishoreAnnapureddy @Nishithareddy85 @nikstudiosindia @AbhishekPicture @ViratKarrna @NabhaNatesh.\" For the unaware, Iswarya Menon and Nabha Natesh play the female leads in the film, which is slated to hit screens worldwide on July 3 this year. Sources close to the unit of the film, which has triggered huge interest among fans and film buffs, have pointed out that the film is a dream project of director Abhishek Nama. The movie features an impressive ensemble cast that includes Jagapathi Babu, Jayaprakash, Murali Sharma, and B.S. Avinash in supporting roles. The movie explores the hidden secrets of India’s ancient Vishnu temples, specifically focusing on the sacred practice of Nagabandham. Inspired by recent treasure discoveries at temples like Padmanabhaswamy and Puri Jagannath, the story dives into the captivating mythology surrounding these divine locations and the enigmatic rituals designed to safeguard them. The film brings these age-old mysteries to life with a fresh, modern narrative. Cinematography for the film is by Soundar Rajan S, while Abhe and Junaid Kumar have provided the music. The film's dialogues have been written by Kalyan Chakravarthy, with Santosh Kamireddy handling the editing. Ashok Kumar has contributed as the art director of the film. 'Nagabandham' is to be released in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam languages. The film, which is fast taking shape as an epic adventure, has the tagline \"The Secret Treasure.\""},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/agcdNKYofJOwHRh-_anasuya.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-15T13:03:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"anusuyas-character-in-nagabandham-revealed"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"AP will become a key player in gold production"},"content":{"text":"Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Friday exuded confidence that in the coming days, the state will become a key player in gold production. He stated that Jonnagiri Gold Fields in the Kurnool district is projected to produce 600 kilograms of gold this year. The production in its second year is expected to reach 1,500 kilograms. “In the past, the mention of gold brought to mind KGF; now, it signifies JGF—the Jonnagiri Gold Fields,” he said while speaking at an event to lay the foundation stone for various defence projects. The Chief Minister, along with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, laid the foundation for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme facility being developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency under the Defence Research and Development Organisation. Naidu stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is rapidly advancing towards self-reliance in next-generation defence technologies. The AMCA programme will strengthen indigenous capabilities in stealth systems, advanced avionics, and integrated combat aviation, he said. He claimed that the foundation laid for key defence projects across the region and the signing of nine MoUs with companies in the defence and aerospace sectors will further position Andhra Pradesh as a major hub for strategic manufacturing and innovation. He described “Operation Sindoor” as a proud example of India’s growing technological strength and the success of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative in the defence sector. The Chief Minister noted that the AMCA project, being established with an investment of Rs 15,803 crore across nearly 650 acres in Puttaparthi, would pave the way for the development of a dedicated township and generate employment opportunities for around 7,500 people. He believes that Puttaparthi is set to transform into a strategic defence hub that will be a source of pride for the nation. Through the AMCA project, Andhra Pradesh will play a pivotal role in realising the objectives of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat', he said. “We were able to lay the foundation stone for this project in a mere 36 days—granting the necessary approvals with jet speed. This pivotal project in the aerospace sector is expected to pave the way for the arrival of several other defence-related projects.” Foundation stones were also laid for facilities involving Bharat Forge, HFCL, and Bharat Dynamics Limited, as well as for \"Drone City\" in the Kurnool district. With space capabilities centred in Sriharikota, missile capabilities in Nagayalanka, defence capabilities in Puttaparthi, and naval capabilities based in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh stands as a pillar of strength for the entire nation, the Chief Minister said. He pointed out that in the past, Rayalaseema was renowned as the \"Land of Diamonds\" (Ratanala Seema), but due to various circumstances, it unfortunately transformed into a \"Drought-prone Region\" (Karuvu Seema). He claimed that since assuming office, the coalition government has successfully reversed this situation. “We have initiated a comprehensive action plan to ensure that every single acre of land receives water. With an investment of Rs 1 lakh crore, we are transforming the Rayalaseema region into a premier horticulture hub,” he said. The government will efficiently utilise mineral resources such as iron ore and limestone in the Rayalaseema region. It will launch the Kadapa Steel Plant in June and complete it by December 2027. Rayalaseema will emerge as a central hub for steel and cement plants, as well as solar, wind, and pumped storage projects. “Through industries such as defence, space, aerospace, and electronics, we will transform Rayalaseema into a land of gems. The Kopparthy Industrial Node will be developed into an electronics manufacturing hub. Royal Enfield plant will be established in Tirupati and a Space City will be developed near Sriharikota,” he said. The Chief Minister pointed Kia manufacturing facility in Rayalaseema is currently producing 1.8 million cars. Vehicles manufactured in this drought-prone region are now being driven across 80 countries worldwide, he added."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/8ef4073a-b3a7-46a0-a03b-d3d177232fe6_gold.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-15T12:49:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"ap-will-become-a-key-player-in-gold-production"}},{"node":{"tags":["NRI"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"New Republican bill tightens H-1B, asylum rules"},"content":{"text":"Indian professionals, students, and family-based immigrants could face sweeping new restrictions under a hardline immigration proposal introduced by influential Republican lawmaker Tommy Tuberville, including tougher H-1B rules, limits on work authorization for foreign students, and higher English requirements for citizenship.  The 82-page proposal, titled the “American System for Sustainable Immigration and Mass Immigration Limitations Achieved Through Imposing Oversight Nationally Act,” or the “ASSIMILATION Act,” would fundamentally reshape large parts of the US immigration system. According to the text, the legislation seeks to replace what it describes as “family-chain and lottery-based admissions” with a “merit-based system” prioritizing “economic self-sufficiency, cultural assimilation, and the protection of United States workers.” “I’m glad to see the Trump administration is working overtime to deport the millions of criminals who came here illegally during the Biden administration,” Tuberville said in a statement accompanying the bill. “But we also need to remove the incentives that are encouraging people who hate this country to come here in the first place,” he said. The Alabama senator added: “Coming to this country is a privilege, not a right. If you hate this country and refuse to assimilate, we do not want you here.” The legislation would significantly affect Indian nationals, one of the largest groups of beneficiaries under employment-based immigration and H-1B visa programs. Among the bill’s most consequential provisions are new H-1B restrictions. The measure would cut the annual H-1B cap to 50,000 visas and require employers to pay foreign workers at least “200 per cent of the median wage” for the relevant occupation and location. The bill would also limit H-1B status to a single three-year term with no extensions or renewals. It further bars H-1B holders from adjusting to permanent residency unless they remain outside the United States for at least two continuous years after their visa expires. Another major change targets foreign students. The proposal would eliminate Optional Practical Training (OPT), a widely used program allowing international students to work in the US after graduation. The bill would also abolish the diversity visa lottery program entirely and sharply narrow family-sponsored immigration categories. Under the proposal, only spouses and unmarried children under 18 of US citizens would qualify as immediate relatives for immigration purposes. Parents of US citizens would no longer qualify for permanent immigration status but could receive limited five-year nonimmigrant visas without access to employment or public benefits. The legislation would further impose stricter naturalization standards, including raising the residency requirement for citizenship from five years to 10 years and requiring English proficiency at the B2 level under the Common European Framework. Asylum rules would also tighten substantially. The bill would bar work authorization for asylum applicants solely on the basis of pending claims and establish a $500 asylum filing fee. The proposal additionally mandates nationwide use of E-Verify for all new hires and creates new civil and criminal penalties for visa overstays. A companion legislation has been introduced in the House by Andy Ogles. Immigration remains one of the defining political issues in the United States ahead of the 2026 elections, with Republicans increasingly pushing for stricter border enforcement and reduced legal immigration pathways. The debate has intensified under the second Trump administration, which has prioritised deportations, tighter asylum standards, and expanded immigration enforcement."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/782c884d-488e-4f90-a168-fd9d1ecf247c_US+citizenship.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-05-15T03:45:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"new-republican-bill-tightens-h-1b-asylum-rules"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Robin Singh ends long association with MI"},"content":{"text":"Former India all-rounder Robin Singh has officially ended his long association with the Mumbai Indians franchise, bringing down the curtain on a journey that began in 2010.  Robin made the announcement through a social media post on Friday, confirming that he has parted ways not only with the IPL side but also with the ILT20 franchise MI Emirates. He clarified that while he had not been part of the Mumbai Indians’ IPL support staff since 2022, this year marked the conclusion of his role with their overseas setup as well. “I’d like to share that I have officially parted ways with the Mumbai Indians. Although I have not been part of their IPL staff since 2022, as of this year also with their team in the Emirates league,” Robin shared on X. The former India cricketer also thanked the franchise and its supporters for their backing over the years. “Thank you to the entire MI family and the fans for the support through this remarkable journey of mine since 2010. Wishing the franchise good luck in the years ahead,” he added. Robin has been with the MI since 2010. He played a key role in the franchise's five IPL titles and two CLT20 campaigns. He had also served as the general manager of MI Emirates in the inaugural season of the ILT20 in 2023. In 2024, he was appointed as the head of MI Emirates. A former India international, who played 136 ODIs, scoring 2336 runs at 25.75 and picking up 69 wickets at 43.26, transitioned into coaching after retirement and became an integral member of several T20 league setups around the world. He had coached the Deccan Chargers (Sunrisers Hyderabad) in the inaugural edition of the IPL, when they finished last in the league. His departure marks the end of a significant chapter in Mumbai Indians’ coaching history, with fans and former players acknowledging his contribution to the franchise’s success over the years."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/agbEaaYofJOwHQ2z_robinsingh.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-05-15T03:15:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"robin-singh-ends-long-association-with-mi"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Akshay is getting 35-40 cr for ‘Golmaal 5’?"},"content":{"text":"Bollywood’s very own “Khiladi” Akshay Kumar, who will be seen in the fifth installment of Rohit Shetty’s “Golmaal”, is getting a whopping Rs. 35-40 crore for his 18 to 22-day shoot, which is more than the film’s lead actor Ajay Devgn’s upfront fees.  A source close to media knows about the development and went on to share: “Akshay Kumar is shooting for 18-22 days, and he is getting around 35-40 crs, which is more than Ajay Devgn’s upfront fees because he is on a profit-sharing basis.” Rohit had announced \"Golmaal 5\" on the occasion of his 52nd birthday in March. It was also on the filmmaker’s birthday that news of Akshay being a “surprise package” was revealed. In the BTS moments shared by the director from the sets of the new installment, Akshay’s bald look was unveiled. On April 27, Ajay revealed that the new shoot schedule for the film had commenced. He had also shared a fun video montage from Ooty featuring Arshad Warsi, Tusshar Kapoor, Sharman Joshi, Shreyas Talpade and Kunal Kemmu. The first installment of the Golmaal film series, it stars Ajay Devgn, Tusshar Kapoor, Arshad and Sharman along with Rimi Sen and Paresh Rawal. It is reportedly based on Harsh Shivsharan's Marathi play Ghar Ghar, which also inspired Vora's Gujarati play Aflatoon, in turn one of the inspirations for the film. The film was followed by 4 sequels such as Golmaal Returns, which released in 2008, 2010’s Golmaal 3 and Golmaal Again, which hit the silver screen in 2017. All the films starred Ajay, Arshad, Tusshar, Sanjay Mishra, Vrajesh Hirjee and Mukesh Tiwari, with Shreyas Talpade appearing in three, Kunal Khemu and Johnny Lever in two. Akshay is joining the fifth installment. In other news, Akshay, on May 13, shared a glimpse of himself from his ‘next’ big project, “Welcome To The Jungle”. The star had dropped a picture of himself standing confidently through a dense jungle setup, dressed in a dark suit paired with sunglasses. He captioned it: “Next... #WelcomeToTheJungle.” In other news, Rohit Shetty, along with Arshad Warsi and Sharman Joshi, stirred nostalgia on May 14 as he recreated the iconic race car scene from the 2006 hit ‘Golmaal: Fun Unlimited’. The scene had Arshad, who plays Madhav and Sharman, essaying the role of Laxman, in a chaotic car race designed to win the heart of a girl named Nirali. In this particular sequence, Sharman’s character, disguised as a woman, and Madhav are seen sitting in a race car and waving. The video then transitions from their characters 20 years ago to the present day, recreating the same iconic waving scene. “Driving down the memory lane! How old were you when you watched the first Golmaal? We promise you’ll relive those happy days very soon…filming in progress,” Rohit wrote in the caption."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aDWcsidWJ-7kSkp2_akshay.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-05-15T07:08:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"akshay-is-getting-35-40-cr-for-golmaal-5"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"'Karuppu' unlawfully exhibited in some theatres in NI"},"content":{"text":"Pointing out that there had been certain unlawful theatrical screenings of actor Suriya's eagerly awaited action entertainer 'Karuppu' in North India due to the unauthorized and illegal activation of KDMs by Qube Cinema Technologies, the makers of the film have now cautioned the public not to download, circulate, exhibit or share any unauthorized content relating to the film 'Karuppu'.  Vijayan Subramanian, the legal counsel for Dream Warrior Pictures, the makers of the Tamil feature film 'Karuppu', has now issued a public notice in this regard. The legal counsel, in his notice said, \"It has come to my client's utmost shock and dismay that due to unauthorized and illegal activation of KDMs by Qube Cinema Technologies, certain theatrical screenings of the Tamil version of the film Karuppu were unlawfully exhibited in North India without the final authorization or approval of my client. As a consequence of such unauthorized exhibition, visuals, scenes, clips and other copyrighted portions from the film have been illegally recorded, accessed and circulated through various social media platforms and digital mediums.\" The lawyer went on to point out that any downloading, recording, storing, forwarding, sharing, uploading, reposting, transmitting or circulating of any scenes, clips or leaked content relating to the film Karuppu through WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube, torrent websites or any other online or offline platform constituted a serious offence under the Copyright Act, 1957, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and the Information Technology Act, 2000. \"Such acts amount to piracy, copyright infringement and unlawful dissemination of protected cinematographic content and are punishable with severe civil and criminal consequences,\" he said, even as he cautioned the general public not to download, receive, access, store, circulate, forward, exhibit or share any unauthorized content relating to the film Karuppu in any form whatsoever. \"Any person found involved in such activities hereafter shall face immediate legal action including civil and criminal proceedings before the appropriate authorities and courts, entirely at their own risk as to costs and consequences,\" he said."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aICv4FGsbswqTKs9_kuruppu.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-15T02:34:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"karuppu-unlawfully-exhibited-in-some-theatres-in-n"}},{"node":{"tags":["Editorial","featured","one"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Austerity Call: A Political Moment Or Mere A Political Noise?"},"content":{"text":"“The beauty of a Democracy: “The people get what they choose and deserve” This profound wisdom reminds us that for most citizens, national duty ends with a single press of an EVM button. Unfortunately, that voting process has become a ticket to a continuous farce. This reality now echoes loudly in the theatre of austerity being enacted by our ruling class. It is a textbook case of citizens watching a drama performed in a theatre they funded. India’s Supreme Leader recently urged his subjects to follow strict seven-point austerity measures amidst a serious energy and economic crunch. In doing so, he attempted a bizarre balancing act. He is walking a tightrope between claiming the nation is a global economic superpower and warning of potential financial ruin. He demanded absolute sacrifice, ordering his gullible subjects to follow a strict starvation diet of energy and cash. The state declares the crisis is real, and citizens must sacrifice for the nation. Given the volatile global energy markets and tightened international supply chains, one could argue the leader is simply trying to manage a global crisis.  However, his IT cell warriors are spinning these desperate appeals as a patriotic masterstroke. Digital armies are working overtime to convince the public that obliging to his calls is an act of high patriotism. The true duplicity lies in this propaganda machinery. The regime's ecosystem constantly boasts that India is performing better than the rest of the world, but his frantic clarion call tells a different story. While citizens braced themselves to oblige the call with patriotic fervour, viral videos on social media exposed the truth. The government burned millions of litres of fuel for an exorbitant, chest-thumping military airshow at Somnath Park. Combined with news of the leader's upcoming foreign trips, a massive public backlash erupted. The optical illusion shattered, revealing a blunt reality: the public undergoes mandatory rationing, while the ruling elite enjoys taxpayer-funded joyrides. Sensing a nationwide rage, the union cabinet and its alliance partners in the states panicked. To dilute the brewing anger, union ministers and party-led state governments hastily launched damage-control routines. Politicians rushed to cameras, announcing \"austerity measures\" like downsizing their exorbitant VIP convoys. They suddenly discovered a deep commitment to financial discipline. This wave of sudden frugality is not a genuine political movement; it is pure survival theatre.  These knee-jerk responses are political noise designed to pacify the tax-paying crowd without surrendering an ounce of actual systemic privilege. Nowhere is this theatrical tragicomedy funnier than in Andhra Pradesh. Eager to please the Supreme Leader, the TDP-led state government rolled out its own hyper-performative austerity drive. In a breathtaking announcement that directly contradicts his usual \"CEO-style\" corporate governance, the visionary Chief Minister slashed his official convoy fleet. Ministers and bureaucrats were seriously instructed to save the state’s economy by riding bicycles, walking, or working from home. Calling this move jaw-droppingly hypocritical is not being cynical, it is being accurate. Instead of redressing the deep structural weaknesses caused by fiscal policies that rely heavily on borrowed funds, the Chief Minister is simply shifting the burden of macroeconomic stability onto his subjects. While underpaid orderlies are told to walk to save pennies, leaders continue to burn fortunes daily. They routinely board lavish, taxpayer-funded special flights and private charters to shuttle back and forth between Hyderabad and Amaravati. It is one thing to preach \"lifestyle changes\" to the lower classes, but it is another to engineer a fiscal apocalypse. The state government is borrowing lakhs of crores from the World Bank and ADB. This mountain of high-interest debt is being dumped directly into building a glittering, speculative \"world-class capital\" at Amaravati. Thus, these austerity measures reveal themselves as empty political noise. The true mathematics of the state involve accumulating massive debt to build an elite playground for future politics. On one hand, cabinet ministers fly in luxury private jets. On the other, they expect underpaid workers, impoverished citizens, and middle-class families drowning in loan EMIs to suffer and fix the state's economy. The financial measures announced from New Delhi to Amaravati are ultimately a massive Accidental Confession. In their frantic rush to look poor, the entire political class has tripped over its own greed. By proudly announcing what they are cutting today, they have openly confessed to what they have been wasting for years. Their sudden, reactive frugality exposes a devastating truth: if they can easily survive without massive convoys and issue \"walking orders\" today, they are admitting that their daily luxury jet charters and bloated fleets were an intentional, indefensible drain on public funds yesterday. It proves that present financial discipline is never a genuine principle. It is merely a desperate PR strategy triggered only when they fear a massive public backlash. Ultimately, the curtain must fall on this grand illusion. We, The People, have spent twelve long years listening to grand promises of a golden age. We were promised a developed nation under the glorious slogans of “Viksit Bharat” and “Amrit Kaal.” We were told that strong, unyielding leadership had finally arrived to lift us all into prosperity. So, we the people must ask ourselves a very simple question: If the leadership is so strong, and the nation is so developed, why are citizens always the ones being asked to suffer and sacrifice so much in the first place? Are we to remain permanently subjected to John F. Kennedy’s wisdom of “Desham meeku em chesindi ani kaadu, deshaniki meerem chesaranedi alochinchandi” (\"Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country\"), while our leaders continue to indulge in cheap political theatrics? The bitter truth is that the public keeps giving everything to the country, while the ruling class keeps taking everything from it. It is time to flip the script and ask the leaders what they have actually given to the nation, besides a front-row ticket to a farce we are forced to fund."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/agbycKYofJOwHRMg_cbnmodipk.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-05-15T05:32:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"austerity-call-a-political-moment-or-mere-a-politi"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"36 passengers escape as bus catches fire in AP"},"content":{"text":"As many as 36 passengers of a private travel bus had a narrow escape as the vehicle caught fire in Andhra Pradesh’s Prakasam district early Friday.  The accident occurred at Bheemavaram Adda Road in Ulavapadu mandal. There were no casualties, police said. The bus belonging to Kaveri Travels was on its way to Tirupati from Hyderabad. The driver noticed smoke emanating from the engine. Showing presence of mind, he immediately stopped the bus and alerted passengers.  All the passengers managed to get down from the bus before the fire engulfed the vehicle. Everyone heaved a sigh of relief as all passengers deboarded.  Firefighting personnel rushed to the spot and doused the fire. The bus was completely gutted. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. Police registered a case and took up an investigation. Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have seen a series of bus fire incidents in recent months. On April 27, a private travel bus was gutted in a fire in Telangana’s Medak district. There were no passengers in the bus at the time of the mishap. The driver and another person, who were in the bus, immediately got off after noticing the fire.  At least 14 people were burnt alive, and 15 others were injured as a private travel bus caught fire after colliding with a tipper truck in Andhra Pradesh’s Markapuram district on March 26. The accident occurred near Rayavaram when the bus collided with a tipper truck near a stone quarry. Both vehicles were completely gutted in the fire. Nineteen people were burnt to death when a private bus caught fire after running over a motorbike lying on the road following an accident near Kurnool town of Andhra Pradesh on October 24, 2025. The bus belonging to a private tour operator and carrying 46 people was on its way to Bengaluru from Hyderabad when the ghastly accident happened near Chinnatekur village on the outskirts of Kurnool. On November 3, 2025, a bus-truck collision in the Rangareddy district of Telangana claimed 19 lives and left 24 others injured. The tipper truck laden with gravel rammed into the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) bus coming from the opposite direction."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/a4333364-4525-47bc-a707-22fb4899d334_bus+gutted.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-05-15T05:15:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"36-passengers-escape-as-bus-catches-fire-in-ap"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Ram turns director with #RAPO23"},"content":{"text":"Telugu star Ram Pothineni, a multi-faceted performer who has consistently showcased his versatility on screen, on Friday announced he would be turning director with his upcoming film, tentatively being referred to as #Rapo23. Taking to his X timeline to make the announcement, he wrote, \"An exciting journey begins with all your love & blessings. Introducing \"Veera\" in #RAPO23 -the story of a Lone Wolf. Genre: Psychological Action Thriller. Written & Directed by #RAPO. Produced by Krishna Pothineni. A @RAPO_Cinematics Production.December 2026 Release.\" It may be recalled that the actor, after turning a lyricist with his previous film 'Andhra King Taluka' , had also surprised audiences by lending his vocals for the first time. Now, the actor has donned the director’s hat, marking his debut as a filmmaker. The project, formally announced on the occasion of his birthday, is set to be a stylish psychological action thriller - a genre rarely explored in Telugu cinema. #RAPO23 will be produced by Krishna Pothineni under the newly formed Rapo Cinematics banner. Interestingly with this move, Ram joins the elite league of stars-turned-directors such as Sr. NTR, Krishna, and Pawan Kalyan. The makers also unveiled a striking birthday special poster that introduced Ram Pothineni’s character as Veera on the occasion.  The poster radiates a dark, intense, and gritty tone featuring Ram from behind, clad in a leather jacket. His sharp, V-cut hairstyle amplifies the raw attitude of the character. Dominating the backdrop is a bold red “V”, symbolizing both Veera and a sense of rebellion, danger, and dominance.  The faint outlines of towering skyscrapers on either side evoke a cold, crime-infested cityscape. Adding to the mystery, the tagline “The Story of a Lone Wolf” hints at a protagonist driven by solitude, instinct, and a complex psychological landscape. Sources close to the unit say #RAPO23 was a powerful and groundbreaking narrative conceived by Ram Pothineni himself for his directorial debut.  He is set to portray Veera in a completely new, never-before-seen avatar, and that the transformation was already evident in the announcement poster’s styling and mood. The film’s regular shoot is set to begin in June, with the makers eyeing a December release this year. Further details about the cast and technical crew will be revealed in the coming days, the sources added."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aCXT3CdWJ-7kSJ1w_ram.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-05-15T07:45:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"ram-turns-director-with-rapo23"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"AP CS Sai Prasad gets six-month extension"},"content":{"text":"The Central Government has extended the tenure of Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary, G. Sai Prasad, for another six months.  According to an official announcement on Friday, his tenure has been extended from June 1 to November 30, 2026. The Central Government granted this approval in response to a request made by the State Government. Rajesh Kumar Yadav, Under Secretary to the Union Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (Department of Personnel and Training—DoPT), informed the Principal Secretary of the State Government's General Administration Department (Political) via a letter regarding the six-month extension of Chief Secretary Sai Prasad's tenure, in accordance with Rule 16(1) of the All India Services (Death-cum-Retirement Benefits) Rules, 1958. Although Sai Prasad was originally scheduled to retire at the end of this month, the State Government submitted proposals to the Centre seeking an extension of his tenure with the objective of continuing to utilise his services for an extended period. Acting upon this request, the Central Government issued orders extending Sai Prasad's tenure by six months, effective from June 1 to November 30. Sai Prasad assumed office as the Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh on February 28, 2026. He took charge from K Vijayanand, who retired from service. The State government on November 29, 2025 issued orders extending the term of Vijayanand for another three months till February 28, 2026, and appointed Sai Prasad as his successor. Sai Prasad was serving as Special Chief Secretary (Water Resources) when he was appointed as Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh. A 1991 batch IAS officer of Andhra Pradesh Cadre, Sai Prasad first worked as Assistant Collector of Warangal in the combined Andhra Pradesh from June 1992 to May 1993. Sai Prasad, who holds an M.Tech. degree, served in different positions, including the Chief Commissioner of Land Administration (CCLA)."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/agbsjKYofJOwHRI7_saiprasad.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-15T06:30:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"ap-cs-sai-prasad-gets-six-month-extension"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Ranbir purchases land parcel in Ayodhya"},"content":{"text":"Bollywood superstar Ranbir Kapoor, who is gearing up for the release of his upcoming Indian epic ‘Ramayana’, has purchased a land parcel in Ayodhya. The actor has bought the property valued at INR 3.31 crore, for a total area of 2,134 sq. ft. Ranbir Kapoor’s purchase follows recent high-value investments in Ayodhya by prominent individuals signalling growing confidence in Ayodhya’s emerging real estate and tourism ecosystem. Talking about his investment, Ranbir said in a statement, “I believe Ayodhya has chosen me, and I have just answered this calling. Ayodhya is deep rooted in our history and is a critical part of our cultural fabric. This land at The Sarayu became my gateway to ensuring this becomes a part of my legacy for my family\". The land purchase is part of The Sarayu, a 75-acre landmark plotted development in Ayodhya on the banks of the river Sarayu, featuring 35+ curated lifestyle amenities, and a 5-acre fully vegetarian luxury hotel. The project blends timeless spiritual heritage with world-class infrastructure, clear titles, and a thoughtfully planned ecosystem. Meanwhile, on the work front, Ranbir has ‘Love & War’ co-starring his wife Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal, and ‘Ramayana’ in the pipeline. ‘Ramayana’ is directed by Nitesh Tiwari. The film stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, with Sai Pallavi cast as Sita and Yash reported to play Ravana. Sunny Deol is associated with the role of Hanuman, while Ravi Dubey has been linked to Lakshman. The project is mounted on a large scale and is planned as a multi-part cinematic adaptation of the epic. The music is being composed by A. R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer, marking a cross-industry collaboration. The film’s visual effects are being handled by international VFX studios, including DNEG, known for work on major Hollywood productions. Production involves extensive use of green screen, motion capture, and large-scale set design to recreate mythological settings. The film is backed by major production houses and is positioned as a high-budget project aimed at both domestic and global audiences, with emphasis on technical scale, casting, and visual presentation."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/123dff65-36d1-4a2e-85db-71564ddd0f74_ranbir+apoor.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-05-14T12:30:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"ranbir-purchases-land-parcel-in-ayodhya"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Sunil Mittal to pass Bharti Airtel baton"},"content":{"text":"Airtel Chairman and Managing Director Sunil Bharti Mittal on Thursday said that he plans to hand over the reins of the telecom major to the next generation in the next ten years.  \"I wish to hand over the reins to the next generation in the next 10 years,\" Mittal said in the company's concall. Mittal was re-appointed as Chairman of Bharti Airtel for another five-year term on Wednesday, with effect from October 1, 2026. The company's board also approved the re-appointment of Nisaba Godrej as an Independent Director for a second term of five years, effective August 4 this year. The Airtel CMD said that he was not happy with the Q4 financial results of Airtel and would be working to step up the Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) of the telecom major. Airtel's mobile services segment in India contributed 28,831 crore to the total revenue in Q4 FY2026, with growth of 8.3 per cent during the Jan-March quarter. The growth came on the back of a rising customer base, along with about 5 per cent growth in ARPU to Rs 257 from Rs 245 earlier, the company has stated in a regulatory filing. Bharti Airtel posted a 33.5 per cent decline in consolidated net profit to Rs 7,325 crore for the March 2026 quarter, mainly due to one-time provisions related to statutory and tax liabilities. The company's annual revenue crossed Rs 2 lakh crore for the first time. Airtel’s consolidated revenue from operations rose 15.6 per cent to Rs 55,383.2 crore in Q4 FY26 from Rs 47,876.2 crore annually, driven by a 40 per cent jump in the Africa business. Shares of Bharti Airtel rose over 3 per cent on Thursday, a day after the company announced its January-March quarter results. Despite reporting a lower-than-expected net profit in the March quarter, owing to a one-time charge, investors remain largely upbeat on the stock on the back of the company's strong fundamentals. In March 2026, the company crossed a milestone of 65 crore customers as part of its expanding business."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/65df73439c42d04f7d969680_sunilbhartimittal.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-05-14T09:14:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"sunil-mittal-to-pass-bharti-airtel-baton"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"US authorities likely to drop case against Adani!"},"content":{"text":"The US authorities are moving to resolve the allegations of fraud against Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani and bring to an end the case, which has been lingering for more than a year, according to sources.  The US Justice Department may announce the dropping of charges as early as this week. Besides, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is also moving to settle a parallel civil fraud case it brought against the billionaire industrialist and others in November 2024, according to people in the know of the matter. While the Justice Department could effectively move to drop the charges with the defendants out of the country, a resolution to the SEC would likely involve a monetary penalty, sources said. The case brought by the SEC, alongside a criminal complaint by the Department of Justice, alleges that the Adanis sought to pay over $250 million in bribes to Indian officials to secure solar energy contracts and concealed the scheme from US investors and banks when they raised funds. The counsel for Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar Adani stated in court that there was no credible evidence supporting the alleged bribery scheme. They pointed out that the SEC lacked necessary jurisdiction over the two men and that the alleged misstatements underpinning the case weren't actionable. The Adani Group has denied all allegations, stating that none of its entities or executives has been charged under the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and that Adani Green Energy - the renewable energy arm that raised the funds - is not a party to the proceedings. Last month, a US judge granted a request from Gautam Adani to schedule a hearing to dismiss the US SEC case of alleged fraud. The plea states that the case represents an impermissible extraterritorial application of US law and that the SEC has failed to establish actionable claims under US securities laws. In filings, Adani's legal team has argued that the case lacks a sufficient jurisdictional basis and fails to establish actionable claims under US securities laws. The plea also argues that the SEC’s claims over a 2021 bond sale by the Group’s renewable energy arm, Adani Green Energy, are legally flawed on multiple grounds. The $750-million bond sale was conducted outside the United States under Rule 144A and Regulation S exemptions, with securities sold to non-US underwriters and only later resold in part to qualified institutional buyers, they said. The Adanis argued that the SEC lacked personal jurisdiction, saying neither of them had sufficient contacts with the US or direct involvement in the bond offering. The plea filed by the lawyers added that the complaint does not allege that Gautam Adani approved the issuance, attended key meetings, or directed any activity at US investors. The plea also highlights that the SEC does not allege that there were any investor losses, and there were none. \"The bonds have matured, and Adani Green repaid all principal and interest in full to investors in 2024,\" it added. The filing also contends the SEC's case is impermissibly extraterritorial, noting the securities were not listed in the United States, the issuer is Indian, and the alleged misconduct occurred entirely in India."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/b892e33f-db10-40c2-8a0c-e2ced23d4fde_gautam+adani.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-05-14T15:30:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"us-authorities-likely-to-drop-case-against-adani"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"ACB court issues summons to KTR"},"content":{"text":"In a key development in the Formula E-car race case, an Anti-Corruption Bureau court on Thursday issued a summons to former Telangana minister and Bharat Rashtra Samithi working president K. T. Rama Rao.​ The court also issued summons to Indian Administrative Service officer Arvind Kumar, former Chief Engineer of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority, B. L. N. Reddy, and sports consultant Kiran Malleswara Rao.​ The court directed all the accused to appear for the hearing on July 31.​ According to the chargesheet filed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau in March 2026, around ₹55 crore was allegedly transferred to a foreign firm in violation of norms during the 2023 Formula E car race in Hyderabad.​ K. T. Rama Rao has been named accused number one in the case relating to the alleged misappropriation of public funds for conducting the Formula E race in Hyderabad during the Bharat Rashtra Samithi rule.​ The Anti-Corruption Bureau questioned K. T. Rama Rao, Arvind Kumar, and B. L. N. Reddy multiple times in the case.​ The former minister, who was questioned by the Anti-Corruption Bureau four times, dismissed the Formula E case as a “bogus case”.​ In November last year, then Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma gave his nod to prosecute K. T. Rama Rao in the Formula E race case.​ In September, the Anti-Corruption Bureau submitted its report and, through the state government, sought the Governor’s sanction to prosecute K. T. Rama Rao, Arvind Kumar, and others.​ After nine months of an investigation into the alleged irregularities in hosting the Formula E race in Hyderabad, the Anti-Corruption Bureau submitted its report to the government.​ The Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader has been accused of receiving Rs 44 crore in the form of an electoral bond from a sponsorship company in exchange for granting it the right to organise the race.​ The Anti-Corruption Bureau in December 2024 booked a case against K. T. Rama Rao, former Special Chief Secretary, Municipal Administration and Urban Development, Arvind Kumar, and Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority former Chief Engineer B. L. N. Reddy for alleged irregularities of Rs 54.88 crore in the Formula E deal.​ After the Governor gave permission for the probe, the First Information Report was registered on a complaint by Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration and Urban Development, M. Dana Kishore, who stated that foreign remittances were made without prior approvals from the relevant regulatory authorities, resulting in an additional tax burden to the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority to the tune of Rs 8.06 crore.​"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/Z2QjmpbqstJ98rhB_KTRErace.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-05-14T16:15:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"acb-court-issues-summons-to-ktr"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"The recurring delay issue with Suriya films"},"content":{"text":"Suriya's much-anticipated film 'Karuppu' faced yet another setback as its first-day shows were cancelled, disappointing fans. Reports suggest the film's afternoon shows are also in jeopardy due to pending payments from the production side. This delay is not an isolated incident as Suriya's past films have also witnessed release date rejigs. 'Kaappaan' was initially postponed to avoid clashing with another big release and faced a legal hurdle just before its scheduled date. The pandemic further disrupted the theatrical release of 'Soorarai Pottru' and 'Jai Bhim.' 'Etharkkum Thunindhavan' went through multiple rescheduling due to various reasons including the pandemic.  Suriya's upcoming projects also seem to be facing uncertainty with reports suggesting a possible delay in the release of 'Vishwanath & Sons.' Despite starring in ambitious projects, Suriya's films have been marred by unexpected release delays in recent years. Fans are eagerly waiting for a resolution to the ongoing issues surrounding 'Karuppu' and hoping for a smoother release for the actor's future endeavors."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/ZzhQMa8jQArT076x_surya.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-05-14T10:30:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"suriyas-release-woes-a-detailed-look-at-the-delayed-openings-of-his-films-mp5hqd35"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"HC adjourns hearing on Bandi's bail plea"},"content":{"text":"The Telangana High Court on Thursday adjourned to Friday the hearing on the petition of Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar's son Bandi Bhageerath for interim bail in a POCSO case. The single-judge bench, after hearing the arguments of both sides, posted for Friday the orders on the interim bail. Justice Madhavi Devi said the court would hear next week the arguments on the anticipatory bail but orders on interim bail will be pronounced on Friday. Bhageerath's counsel Niranjan Reddy pleaded for striking down the POSCO case, saying that the girl is not a minor. He cited the discrepancies in the records about the victim's age.  The judge ordered a verification of records to determine the victim's age. A case under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act was registered against Bhageerath on May 8 at Pet Basheerabad Police Station for alleged se3ual assault on a 17-year-old girl. On a complaint by the victim that Bhageerath sexually assaulted her at a farmhouse in Moinabad, the police registered a case under Section 11 read with Section 12 of POCSO Act and Sections 74 and 75 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).  The alleged accused also lodged a counter-complaint in Karimnagar, alleging that the girl's family attempted to extort Rs 5 crore by threatening to implicate him in a false case. On Monday, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy directed the State Director General of Police C.V. Anand to initiate the investigation in the case. The same day Deputy Commissioner of Police Ritiraj was appointed to supervise the investigation. She spoke to the victim on May 12 to gather more details. Subsequently, police invoked harsher provisions of the POCSO Act.  Section 5 (1) read with Section 6 was added to the FIR. The Section deals with aggravated penetrative sexual assault and caries a punishment that may extend up to 20 years imprisonment or more. Bhageerath failed to appear before the police on Wednesday despite a notice being served to him.  Pet Basheerabad police reportedly sent a second notice to Bhageerath's uncle in Karimnagar as it was the last identified location of his mobile phone. Bhageerath on Wednesday sent a letter to Station House Officer of Pet Basheerabad Police Station, seeking two days' time to appear before him."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/agMJdqYofJOwHHof_bandison.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-14T12:05:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"hc-adjourns-hearing-on-bandis-bail-plea"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Mouni Roy, Suraj Nambiar confirm divorce"},"content":{"text":"The celebrity couple Mouni Roy and Suraj Nambiar have confirmed their divorce amidst the growing buzz around their relationship. On Thursday, the couple took to their Instagram, and shared a joint post in which they confirmed they are parting ways, and requested privacy. They wrote, “We note with dismay the unnecessary and intrusive attention into our personal lives by certain quarters of the media. We would like to state that we have decided to part ways and are taking the necessary time to address matters privately and amicably. Attempts have been made to sensationalize our private lives by circulation of fictitious narratives and blatant falsehoods, which do not reflect the reality of our relationship”. They further mentioned, “After thoughtful reflection on evolving personal priorities, we have mutually chosen to move forward on separate paths with respect and understanding. At this point, we are focused on navigating this phase thoughtfully and privately. We will endeavour to cherish our friendship in times to come. We sincerely appreciate your understanding, respect for our privacy, and the continued support extended to us during this time”. They wrote in the caption, “Humbly requesting everyone to give us privacy and dignity and not give out any false stories about me or Suraj. Expecting all of you to give us privacy in these hard times. Humble request to all the media houses to please stop. Love”. For the uninitiated, Mouni Roy's personal life has been under the scanner for the past few days. The speculation began after many noticed that Mouni and her husband, Suraj Nambiar, appeared to have unfollowed each other on Instagram, sparking concerns about a possible separation. Mouni and Suraj first crossed paths at a New Year’s celebration in Dubai in 2018. Introduced through mutual friends, the two quickly formed a close connection. In the early stages of their relationship, distance proved to be a challenge, with Suraj living in Dubai and Mouni based in Mumbai. Despite being in a long-distance relationship, they made constant efforts to spend time together, frequently travelling to meet one another. The couple tied the knot in 2022 in a Malayali wedding ceremony followed by a Bengali one in Goa."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/agXb5aYofJOwHQDJ_mounidivorce.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-14T13:28:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"mouni-roy-suraj-nambiar-confirm-divorce"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Aamir Khan kickstarts '3 Idiots' sequel?"},"content":{"text":"The news of Bollywood megastar Aamir Khan's superhit movie 3 Idiots to have a sequel to it, had taken the internet by storm.  A source has now revealed that Aamir Khan has officially begun work on the sequel to the 2009 blockbuster. According to an industry source, Aamir Khan has officially started working on the sequel to 3 Idiots. The project is presently in its pre-production phase, and it has been confirmed that the original trio, Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan, and Sharman Joshi, are set to reprise their roles in the much-awaited follow-up. The source further revealed that the sequel will feature a major time leap, which means the characters will no longer be at the same stage of life as seen in the 2009 film. Interestingly, the biggest twist surrounding the project is its timeline. While a time jump has been confirmed, it is still unclear whether the story will unfold before or after the events of the original film. The insider maintains that only Aamir currently knows the exact direction of the storyline. Meanwhile, Rajkumar Hirani, who helmed the original blockbuster, is also reportedly returning to direct the sequel. For the uninitiated, Aamir Khan’s Rancho from 3 Idiots, became one of the most iconic characters in Indian cinema, loved for his humour, wisdom, and refreshing outlook on life. Directed by Rajkumar Hirani, 3 Idiots featured R. Madhavan, Sharman Joshi, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Boman Irani, and Mona Singh in key roles The film became a huge blockbuster worldwide, and crossed ₹400 crore globally."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/agW2O6YofJOwHP1h_3idiots.JPG?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C228%2C450%2C222&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-14T10:15:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"aamir-khan-kickstarts-3-idiots-sequel"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Spend 24 Hours in Chanchalguda for 2K"},"content":{"text":"Have you ever wondered what it's like inside a jail? The forbidden allure of such places has always piqued human curiosity. Now, the Chanchalguda Central jail in Hyderabad is offering a unique opportunity for citizens to experience a day in prison with their 'feel the jail' program. For just Rs 2,000, individuals can spend 24 hours in a prison cell, complete with a single bed, washroom, and regulated routines. Additionally, there's an option for a 12-hour experience at Rs 1,000.  The initiative aims to provide a realistic insight into prison life, including prison food and restricted movement. Visitors can also explore the Chanchalguda Prison Museum, featuring colonial-era incarceration exhibits and artefacts. The program, launched by the Telangana prisons department, not only offers a glimpse into prison life but also contributes to the welfare and development fund for prisoners.  This innovative initiative follows the collapse of the Heritage Jail Museum in Sangareddy and aims to provide citizens with an immersive and educational experience. This one-of-a-kind opportunity allows individuals to satisfy their curiosity about the inside workings of a prison while supporting a noble cause."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/539c5623-b802-4b45-980b-2c2f345f9b95_jail+clash.jpg?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-05-14T09:54:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"experience-the-unthinkable-spend-24-hours-in-hyderabad-prison-for-rs-2000-mp5hqfcm"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Manhunt launched for Bandi Bhageerath"},"content":{"text":"Cyberabad police has sent teams to Delhi and Karimnagar in search of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Bandi Sanjay’s son Bandi Bhageerath allegedly involved in a sexual assault on a minor girl.  As Bhageerath failed to appear before police on Wednesday despite a notice being served on him, the police sent teams to Delhi and Karimnagar to arrest him in the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) case registered against him. Pet Basheerabad police reportedly sent a second notice to Bhageerath’s uncle in Karimnagar as it was the last identified location of his mobile phone. Bhageerath on Wednesday sent a letter to Station House Officer of Pet Basheerabad Police Station, seeking two days’ time to appear before him. The Central minister’s son has approached Telangana High Court for interim bail. His petition is scheduled to come up for hearing on Thursday before a Vacation Bench. Bhageerath’s lawyer is going to argue in the court that the girl is not a minor and hence POCSO can’t be applied in the case. The accused’s legal team is alleged to have evidence of the victim’s real age as per purported records produced previously in a court in a road accident case. Meanwhile, posters have appeared in Karimnagar, claiming that Bhageerath is absconding. They appealed to people to inform police if they find him. The posters carry picture of Bhageerath along with his father Bandi Sanjay, who is a Member of Parliament from Karimnagar. Similar posters had come up in parts of Hyderabad on Wednesday. It was not known who is behind these posters. A case under the POCSO Act was registered against Bhageerath on May 8 at Pet Basheerabad Police Station for alleged sexual assault on a 17-year-old girl. On a complaint by the victim that Bhageerath se3ually assaulted her at a farmhouse in Moinabad, the police registered a case under Section 11 r/w 12 of POCSO Act and Sections 74 and 75 of BNS. On Monday, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy directed Director General of Police, C.V. Anand to initiate an investigation in the case. The same day Deputy Commissioner of Police Ritiraj was appointed to supervise the investigation. She spoke to the victim on Tuesday to gather more details. Subsequently, police invoked harsher provisions of POCSO Act. Section 5 (1) read with 6 was added to the FIR. The section deals with aggravated penetrative sexual assault and caries a punishment that may extend up to 20 years imprisonment or more."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/agVw86YofJOwHPVr_bandibhageernath.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-14T06:35:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"manhunt-launched-for-bandi-bhageerath"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Rashmika faces her fear of heights"},"content":{"text":"Actress Rashmika Mandanna decided to face her fear of heights during her stay in Kochi.  'The Girlfriend' actress dropped a couple of aesthetically pleasing pictures of herself posing on a balcony on her official Instagram handle. Describing in her own words what her Kochi stay was all about, Rashmika wrote, \"Kochi had been a lot of forests - insects - water falls - trekking - basic workouts - rains - running around - learning action and doing action - taping my ankles and knees - facing my fear of heights - hoping everything is going well - telling all the boys and girls to be careful while walking around - waking up with a loud alarm so that I don’t over sleep and some pazham pori.. actually lots of pazham pori...That’s pretty much it! (sic)\". Work-wise, Rashmika recently finished a long and crucial schedule of her upcoming drama \"Mysaa\" in Kerala. Taking to her Insta Stories, the 'Animal' actress posted a short video of herself with her team. Expressing her gratitude towards all those who have been a part of the project directed by Rawindra Pulle, she penned a heartfelt note, saying, \"Guys a lil update is that we successfully wrapped up a long schedule for #Mysaa in Kerala!! And these were some of the darlings who worked so so hard and made it all possible! Thankyou guys.. and I’ll see you soon again on set! @rawindrapulle @unformulafilms.\" Previously, media informed that Rashmika underwent intense training for \"Mysaa\" in Bangkok, Thailand.  She will reportedly be seen performing some high-octane stunts in the sequences filmed during the action-packed Kerala schedule. Her lineup also includes Rahul Sankrityan's upcoming period drama, \"Ranabaali\", along with husband Vijay Deverakonda and \"Cocktail 2\", co-starring Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad%2Fdbecfc89-8505-48f3-b9d5-26e7fc915442_4.+rashmika+mandanna.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C8%2C1200%2C592&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-13T14:29:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"rashmika-faces-her-fear-of-heights"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Mamata Banerjee turns lawyer"},"content":{"text":"Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday appeared at the Calcutta High Court as a counsel to argue in a public interest litigation (PIL) filed at the division bench of Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen on the post-poll violence following the results of the recently-concluded Assembly polls.  The PIL was filed by Sirsanya Banerjee, a counsel with the Calcutta High Court and the son of senior advocate and four-time Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha member, Kalyan Banerjee. Sirsanya Banerjee was the Trinamool Congress candidate from Uttarpara Assembly constituency in Hooghly district in the recently concluded Assembly polls. However, he was defeated by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate and former National Security Guard (NSG) commandant, Dipanjan Chakraborty, by a margin of over 10,000 votes. Mamata Banerjee will argue as counsel in the matter, for which she arrived at the Calcutta High Court sporting the traditional black advocate’s jacket and white collar-band on her signature white saree with blue borders. Earlier this year, Mamata Banerjee had appeared in the Supreme Court during a hearing in a case related to Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in West Bengal. On that day, she had also presented a brief argument at the bench of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant. However, she did not appear as counsel in that matter. After that, she arrived at the Calcutta High Court on Thursday, this time to argue a case as counsel at the bench of Justice Paul and Justice Sen. In the recently concluded West Bengal election, Mamata Banerjee was defeated by current Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari from Bhabanipur Assembly constituency in South Kolkata by a margin of over 15,000 votes. Even after the defeat of her party, Trinamool Congress, and her personal defeat in Bhabanipur, she did not follow the tradition of submitting her resignation to the Governor, and argued that she was refraining from resigning as, according to her, the results of the Assembly polls were not a true reflection of the public mandate. However, Governor R.N. Ravi dissolved the earlier state Assembly, which automatically led to the dissolution of the earlier cabinet helmed by her and also made her a former West Bengal Chief Minister."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/agVy66YofJOwHPWJ_mamata.JPG?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=1%2C0%2C448%2C221&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-14T06:45:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"mamata-banerjee-turns-lawyer"}}]},"featured":{"edges":[{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Divyenndu sets foot in ‘Peddi’ as Rambujji"},"content":{"text":"Actor Divyenndu’s character of Rambujji from the upcoming film ‘Peddi’ was unveiled on Friday. Taking to their social media, the makers of Peddi shared a glimpse of his character from the sets of the film. They wrote in the caption, \"Say Hi to #Rambujji. The GAME is about to start! watch @divyenndu in the world of #PEDDI. #PEDDITrailer from May 18th. PEDDI in cinemas worldwide on June 4th. #GetReadyForPeddi”. ‘Peddi’ is one of the biggest releases of the year. It is directed by Buchi Babu Sana and backed by Vriddhi Cinemas and Mythri Movie Makers. The film stars Ram Charan, Janhvi Kapoor in the lead roles along with Jagapathi Babu and Shiva Rajkumar. Prior to this, the makers released the film’s teaser, followed by the ‘Chikiri Chikiri’ song and the ‘Rai Rai Raa Raa’ song. Adding to the growing hype is the film’s music, which has already become one of its biggest talking points. The first single, ‘Chikiri Chikiri’, composed by A. R. Rahman, struck a chord instantly with its infectious energy and crossed 200 million views across platforms. Following its success, ‘Rai Rai Raa Raa’ further elevated the buzz with energetic visuals and grand choreography, amassing over 66 million YouTube views. Written and directed by Buchi Babu Sana, the film is produced by Venkata Satish Kilaru under his banner Vriddhi Cinemas, in collaboration with Mythri Movie Makers. ‘Peddi’ will be released in North India by Jio Studios. The film will have its premiere across the world on June 3, 2026, followed by its worldwide theatrical release on June 4, 2026."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/agcbVaYofJOwHRg-_divyendu.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-15T11:42:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"divyenndu-sets-foot-in-peddi-as-rambujji"}}]},"politics":{"edges":[{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Social Media Accounts Booked in Bandi Case"},"content":{"text":"Cyberabad Police have registered cases against social media accounts, which posted photos and videos of the victim in the POCSO case registered against Minister of State for Home Affairs, Bandi Sanjay Kumar's son Bandi Bhageerath, officials said on Friday. The cases have been registered at the Pet Basheerabad Police Station, where the POCSO case was booked against Bhageerath on May 8. \"Based on the complaint lodged by the Child Welfare Committee Chairperson of Medchal-Malkajgiri district, regarding the circulation of photos, videos, and other identifying details of the victim girl and her parents a case under Section 74 of the Juvenile Justice Act, Section 72(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 23 of the POCSO Act has been registered,\" the Pet Basheerabad police Station Station House Officer (SHO) K. Vijaya Vardhan said. The Instagram and Facebook account IDs along with relevant URLs involved in the circulation of such content have been identified and forwarded to the concerned authorities for tracing the handlers of these accounts and bringing them to justice. Cases have also been booked against the social media handlers who published the photos, videos and information of the victim and her parents, according to a statement by the SHO. \"The police officer said that revealing the identity or personal details of a girl child/victim and her family involved in POCSO cases, causes severe emotional distress to the victim and constitutes a serious legal violation. Strict legal action will be taken against anyone involved in such acts,\" SHO Vijaya Vardhan added. A case under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act was registered against Bhageerath on May 8 at Pet Basheerabad Police Station for alleged sexual assault on a 17-year-old girl. On a complaint by the victim that Bhageerath sexually assaulted her at a farmhouse in Moinabad, the police registered a case under Section 11 read with Section 12 of POCSO Act and Sections 74 and 75 of BNS. The accused also lodged a counter-complaint in Karimnagar, alleging that the girl's family attempted to extort Rs 5 crore by threatening to implicate him in a false case. After Deputy Commissioner of Police Ritiraj spoke to the victim on Tuesday to gather more details in the POCSO case, police invoked harsher provisions of POCSO Act. Section 5 (1) read with 6 was added to the FIR. The section deals with aggravated penetrative sexual assault and caries a punishment that may extend up to 20 years imprisonment or more. Bhageerath was served a notice by the police, directing him to appear before the investigating officer on May 13. He did not appear but sent a letter to the investigating officer, seeking two days' time to appear. The 25-year-old Bhageerath approached the Telangana High Court, seek orders to quash POCSO case against him. He also sought anticipatory bail. The court heard arguments on Thursday and posted the case to next week for further hearing. The court also said that it would pronounce orders on Friday on the petitioner's plea for interim bail."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/agHhXKYofJOwHFDe_bandison.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-15T14:15:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"social-media-accounts-booked-in-bandi-case"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Train Coach Blaze at Nampally"},"content":{"text":"A fire broke out in an empty train coach of Hyderabad-Jaipur Special Train stationed at Nampally Railway Station here on Friday. However, there were no casualties. The fire broke out in an airconditioned coach and spread to the adjoining coach. The incident occurred around 6:45 p.m., ahead of the train's scheduled departure at 7:50 a.m. Railway staff noticed smoke emanating from the coach and alerted fire services department. Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) personnel along with firefighting personnel rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control. Three fire engines were pressed into service to control the blaze. The incident triggered panic among passengers at the railway station. Railway staff evacuated passengers from other compartments. According to South Central Railway (SCR) spokesman, a fire was noticed in an empty coach of Hyderabad-Jaipur Special Train which was stationed at the platform. The spokesman said no passengers were inside the coach. No injuries reported and the fire was brought under control immediately. The affected coaches (B1 and B2) were detached. The cause of the fire was not immediately known. Railway officials have ordered an inquiry. Authorities were assessing the extent of the damage. There was no report of any major disruption to train operations at the station. Meanwhile, a huge fire broke out in a storehouse of decoration material at near Kongarkalan village in Adibatla in Rangareddy district on the outskirts of Hyderabad. No casualties were reported. According to the police, fire broke out in the warehouse storing decorative items behind PSR Sloka Convention Hall. The fire spread rapidly as decorative items made of plastic and wood were stored. Thick black smoke covered the area. Fire tenders rushed to the spot and controlled the fire. The cause of the fire was not known. Police said they have registered a case and the case was under investigation."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad%2F5d92d76b-4080-48ac-9255-455e1de5f782_fire.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C54%2C1200%2C592&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-15T15:29:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"train-coach-blaze-at-nampally"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"AP will become a key player in gold production"},"content":{"text":"Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Friday exuded confidence that in the coming days, the state will become a key player in gold production. He stated that Jonnagiri Gold Fields in the Kurnool district is projected to produce 600 kilograms of gold this year. The production in its second year is expected to reach 1,500 kilograms. “In the past, the mention of gold brought to mind KGF; now, it signifies JGF—the Jonnagiri Gold Fields,” he said while speaking at an event to lay the foundation stone for various defence projects. The Chief Minister, along with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, laid the foundation for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme facility being developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency under the Defence Research and Development Organisation. Naidu stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is rapidly advancing towards self-reliance in next-generation defence technologies. The AMCA programme will strengthen indigenous capabilities in stealth systems, advanced avionics, and integrated combat aviation, he said. He claimed that the foundation laid for key defence projects across the region and the signing of nine MoUs with companies in the defence and aerospace sectors will further position Andhra Pradesh as a major hub for strategic manufacturing and innovation. He described “Operation Sindoor” as a proud example of India’s growing technological strength and the success of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative in the defence sector. The Chief Minister noted that the AMCA project, being established with an investment of Rs 15,803 crore across nearly 650 acres in Puttaparthi, would pave the way for the development of a dedicated township and generate employment opportunities for around 7,500 people. He believes that Puttaparthi is set to transform into a strategic defence hub that will be a source of pride for the nation. Through the AMCA project, Andhra Pradesh will play a pivotal role in realising the objectives of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat', he said. “We were able to lay the foundation stone for this project in a mere 36 days—granting the necessary approvals with jet speed. This pivotal project in the aerospace sector is expected to pave the way for the arrival of several other defence-related projects.” Foundation stones were also laid for facilities involving Bharat Forge, HFCL, and Bharat Dynamics Limited, as well as for \"Drone City\" in the Kurnool district. With space capabilities centred in Sriharikota, missile capabilities in Nagayalanka, defence capabilities in Puttaparthi, and naval capabilities based in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh stands as a pillar of strength for the entire nation, the Chief Minister said. He pointed out that in the past, Rayalaseema was renowned as the \"Land of Diamonds\" (Ratanala Seema), but due to various circumstances, it unfortunately transformed into a \"Drought-prone Region\" (Karuvu Seema). He claimed that since assuming office, the coalition government has successfully reversed this situation. “We have initiated a comprehensive action plan to ensure that every single acre of land receives water. With an investment of Rs 1 lakh crore, we are transforming the Rayalaseema region into a premier horticulture hub,” he said. The government will efficiently utilise mineral resources such as iron ore and limestone in the Rayalaseema region. It will launch the Kadapa Steel Plant in June and complete it by December 2027. Rayalaseema will emerge as a central hub for steel and cement plants, as well as solar, wind, and pumped storage projects. “Through industries such as defence, space, aerospace, and electronics, we will transform Rayalaseema into a land of gems. The Kopparthy Industrial Node will be developed into an electronics manufacturing hub. Royal Enfield plant will be established in Tirupati and a Space City will be developed near Sriharikota,” he said. The Chief Minister pointed Kia manufacturing facility in Rayalaseema is currently producing 1.8 million cars. Vehicles manufactured in this drought-prone region are now being driven across 80 countries worldwide, he added."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/8ef4073a-b3a7-46a0-a03b-d3d177232fe6_gold.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-15T12:49:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"ap-will-become-a-key-player-in-gold-production"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Robin Singh ends long association with MI"},"content":{"text":"Former India all-rounder Robin Singh has officially ended his long association with the Mumbai Indians franchise, bringing down the curtain on a journey that began in 2010.  Robin made the announcement through a social media post on Friday, confirming that he has parted ways not only with the IPL side but also with the ILT20 franchise MI Emirates. He clarified that while he had not been part of the Mumbai Indians’ IPL support staff since 2022, this year marked the conclusion of his role with their overseas setup as well. “I’d like to share that I have officially parted ways with the Mumbai Indians. Although I have not been part of their IPL staff since 2022, as of this year also with their team in the Emirates league,” Robin shared on X. The former India cricketer also thanked the franchise and its supporters for their backing over the years. “Thank you to the entire MI family and the fans for the support through this remarkable journey of mine since 2010. Wishing the franchise good luck in the years ahead,” he added. Robin has been with the MI since 2010. He played a key role in the franchise's five IPL titles and two CLT20 campaigns. He had also served as the general manager of MI Emirates in the inaugural season of the ILT20 in 2023. In 2024, he was appointed as the head of MI Emirates. A former India international, who played 136 ODIs, scoring 2336 runs at 25.75 and picking up 69 wickets at 43.26, transitioned into coaching after retirement and became an integral member of several T20 league setups around the world. He had coached the Deccan Chargers (Sunrisers Hyderabad) in the inaugural edition of the IPL, when they finished last in the league. His departure marks the end of a significant chapter in Mumbai Indians’ coaching history, with fans and former players acknowledging his contribution to the franchise’s success over the years."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/agbEaaYofJOwHQ2z_robinsingh.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-05-15T03:15:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"robin-singh-ends-long-association-with-mi"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"36 passengers escape as bus catches fire in AP"},"content":{"text":"As many as 36 passengers of a private travel bus had a narrow escape as the vehicle caught fire in Andhra Pradesh’s Prakasam district early Friday.  The accident occurred at Bheemavaram Adda Road in Ulavapadu mandal. There were no casualties, police said. The bus belonging to Kaveri Travels was on its way to Tirupati from Hyderabad. The driver noticed smoke emanating from the engine. Showing presence of mind, he immediately stopped the bus and alerted passengers.  All the passengers managed to get down from the bus before the fire engulfed the vehicle. Everyone heaved a sigh of relief as all passengers deboarded.  Firefighting personnel rushed to the spot and doused the fire. The bus was completely gutted. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. Police registered a case and took up an investigation. Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have seen a series of bus fire incidents in recent months. On April 27, a private travel bus was gutted in a fire in Telangana’s Medak district. There were no passengers in the bus at the time of the mishap. The driver and another person, who were in the bus, immediately got off after noticing the fire.  At least 14 people were burnt alive, and 15 others were injured as a private travel bus caught fire after colliding with a tipper truck in Andhra Pradesh’s Markapuram district on March 26. The accident occurred near Rayavaram when the bus collided with a tipper truck near a stone quarry. Both vehicles were completely gutted in the fire. Nineteen people were burnt to death when a private bus caught fire after running over a motorbike lying on the road following an accident near Kurnool town of Andhra Pradesh on October 24, 2025. The bus belonging to a private tour operator and carrying 46 people was on its way to Bengaluru from Hyderabad when the ghastly accident happened near Chinnatekur village on the outskirts of Kurnool. On November 3, 2025, a bus-truck collision in the Rangareddy district of Telangana claimed 19 lives and left 24 others injured. The tipper truck laden with gravel rammed into the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) bus coming from the opposite direction."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/a4333364-4525-47bc-a707-22fb4899d334_bus+gutted.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-05-15T05:15:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"36-passengers-escape-as-bus-catches-fire-in-ap"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"AP CS Sai Prasad gets six-month extension"},"content":{"text":"The Central Government has extended the tenure of Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary, G. Sai Prasad, for another six months.  According to an official announcement on Friday, his tenure has been extended from June 1 to November 30, 2026. The Central Government granted this approval in response to a request made by the State Government. Rajesh Kumar Yadav, Under Secretary to the Union Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (Department of Personnel and Training—DoPT), informed the Principal Secretary of the State Government's General Administration Department (Political) via a letter regarding the six-month extension of Chief Secretary Sai Prasad's tenure, in accordance with Rule 16(1) of the All India Services (Death-cum-Retirement Benefits) Rules, 1958. Although Sai Prasad was originally scheduled to retire at the end of this month, the State Government submitted proposals to the Centre seeking an extension of his tenure with the objective of continuing to utilise his services for an extended period. Acting upon this request, the Central Government issued orders extending Sai Prasad's tenure by six months, effective from June 1 to November 30. Sai Prasad assumed office as the Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh on February 28, 2026. He took charge from K Vijayanand, who retired from service. The State government on November 29, 2025 issued orders extending the term of Vijayanand for another three months till February 28, 2026, and appointed Sai Prasad as his successor. Sai Prasad was serving as Special Chief Secretary (Water Resources) when he was appointed as Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh. A 1991 batch IAS officer of Andhra Pradesh Cadre, Sai Prasad first worked as Assistant Collector of Warangal in the combined Andhra Pradesh from June 1992 to May 1993. Sai Prasad, who holds an M.Tech. degree, served in different positions, including the Chief Commissioner of Land Administration (CCLA)."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/agbsjKYofJOwHRI7_saiprasad.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-15T06:30:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"ap-cs-sai-prasad-gets-six-month-extension"}}]},"entertainment":{"edges":[{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Suriya Soars in 'Karuppu'"},"content":{"text":"After a protracted wait marked by numerous delays, Suriya's much-anticipated film 'Karuppu' has finally graced theaters, marking a significant moment in Tamil cinema. Early reviews from enthusiastic fans have proclaimed it a resounding success, particularly highlighting Suriya's compelling performance and Sai Abhyankkar's stirring musical score. As audiences flock to cinemas, social media buzzes with praise, with many calling it a definitive commercial entertainer that delivers on both emotional and action-packed fronts. Critics have taken note of the film’s structure, with a noticeable split between its emotionally charged first half and a more action-oriented second half. One user on X described the initial segment as brimming with a solid narrative and an emotional depth that resonates with viewers, while the latter half, although perceived as lacking in story coherence, still manages to captivate and entertain. This juxtaposition of strengths has resonated well with audiences, as they engage in enthusiastic discussions about the film's myriad moments that evoke cheers and applause within the theater. 'Karuppu' is not merely another addition to Suriya's illustrious filmography; it is a reflection of his evolution as an actor and a testament to the collaborative efforts behind the camera. Directed by RJ Balaji, who has adeptly transitioned from actor to filmmaker, the project showcases the collective talents of a skilled crew, including cinematographer GK Vishnu and editor R Kalaivanan. The film's music, composed by Sai Abhyankkar, marks an important milestone in his career, serving as a backbone to the narrative and receiving commendations for its impactful background score that heightens key scenes. In terms of storyline, 'Karuppu' features Suriya in the titular role of Saravanan, with Trisha portraying the character of Preethi. The film includes a vibrant ensemble cast, featuring notable talents such as Natty Natraj and Mansoor Ali Khan. Despite some criticisms regarding logical inconsistencies and character development—particularly in Trisha's role—the overall reception has leaned towards appreciation, with fans labeling it as a true representation of commercial cinema. Audience reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, with many dubbing 'Karuppu' a blockbuster in the making, signifying a triumphant return for Suriya to the big screen."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/abvJtrbci2UF6Qf4_kuruppu.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-15T10:48:20+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"suriya-soars-in-karuppu-a-cinematic-triumph-ignites-fan-excitement-mp6snot4"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"AUS HM Tony Burke Declares Love for SRK"},"content":{"text":"In a compelling revelation, Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has publicly expressed his admiration for Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, naming the actor's 2007 film *Om Shanti Om* as his \"favourite of all time.\" During an engaging appearance on the Indian Link podcast hosted by Pawan Luthra, Burke's candid enthusiasm for Khan's cinematic oeuvre stood out, as he offered insights into his preferences in Indian cinema, which also include other notable works like *Chak De! India* and *Jodhaa Akbar*. This endorsement not only highlights the universal appeal of Khan's work but also underscores the cultural bridges being built through the medium of film. Burke's remarks came during a discussion on Bollywood, where he enthusiastically declared himself a long-time follower of Shah Rukh Khan's contributions to the industry. His affection for *Om Shanti Om* is particularly noteworthy; the film, which marked the debut of actress Deepika Padukone, has become a cultural touchstone within the Indian diaspora. The Minister's fondness for the film was further amplified when he reflected on its memorable tagline about happy endings, stating, \"Simple happy endings... if it's not happy, it's not the end, the story is not over yet,\" a sentiment that resonates with many in today's complex societal landscape. Delving deeper into the realm of music, Burke did not shy away from praising the work of the Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman, whose scores have become synonymous with Indian cinema's global ascent. His appreciation for *Chak De! India* also reflects an intriguing connection, as portions of the film were shot in major Australian cities like Sydney and Melbourne, enhancing its appeal to local audiences. Furthermore, Burke's lighthearted admission of having cheered for India during the cricket-themed *Lagaan* illustrates the playful yet passionate nature of his engagement with Indian films and sports alike. As an Australian politician, Burke's affinity for Indian cinema exemplifies the growing cultural exchange between the two nations. Bollywood films, with their rich narratives and vibrant music, serve as a window into Indian society for many Australians, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of its diverse culture. Burke's declarations, while personal, reflect a broader trend of international figures embracing and celebrating the arts, demonstrating how films like *Om Shanti Om* can transcend borders and resonate with audiences worldwide."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aKRWkKTt2nPbadL__srk.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-15T10:48:22+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"a-ministers-ode-to-bollywood-tony-burke-declares-shah-rukh-khan-his-ultimate-fav-mp6snqqx"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Cannes 2026: Alia Steals the Spotlight "},"content":{"text":"Alia Bhatt made waves at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, enchanting attendees with a striking ensemble that effortlessly bridged the opulence of Regency-era aesthetics and the intricacies of Indian craftsmanship. The acclaimed actress, known for her bold sartorial choices, donned an exquisite piece by designer Tarun Tahiliani, a look that has since ignited discussions across fashion forums and social media. This regal attire marked a departure from her previous fairytale-inspired outfits, positioning Bhatt as a dominant force in this year's fashion narrative at Cannes. Tahiliani's creation, inspired by the lavish world of popular period dramas such as *Bridgerton*, was custom-crafted for Bhatt's appearance, featuring a rich palette of muted ivory and deep burgundy. The interplay between structured Victorian silhouettes and the fluidity of traditional Indian draping was evident in the ensemble, which showcased detailed corsetry and sculpted tailoring. This contemporary reinterpretation of Indian chintz traditions underlines a seamless fusion of Western and Eastern fashion influences that have become a hallmark of this year’s red carpet encounters. The Cannes Film Festival has long served as a global platform for showcasing not just cinematic talent but also the evolving landscape of fashion. Bhatt’s latest look exemplifies the growing trend of integrating heritage into modern couture, reflecting a broader cultural narrative where traditional techniques are celebrated and innovatively reimagined. This significant moment for Bhatt highlights a shift in the fashion dialogue, where Indian designers are increasingly gaining international acclaim, bringing their rich textile heritage into conversations dominated by Western fashion paradigms. Alia Bhatt's styling choices further enhanced the regal essence of her ensemble. With her hair elegantly swept into a refined bun, the understated beauty look allowed the intricate details of her outfit to shine. Complementing the ensemble, Bhatt adorned herself with opulent jewelry from Sunita Shekhawat Jaipur and Amrapali Jewels, while additional accents from A Jewels by Anmol added to the East-meets-West narrative. Each meticulously chosen piece reinforced her position at the intersection of luxury fashion and cultural storytelling, making her one of the most talked-about figures at Cannes 2026."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/agddQaYofJOwHSQs_alia.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-15T10:48:25+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"cannes-2026-alia-bhatt-steals-the-spotlight-in-a-regal-tarun-tahiliani-creation-mp6snt5t"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Kamal Haasan Drops Truth Bomb on Cinema"},"content":{"text":"Pointing out that India too, like the rest of the world, was feeling the impact of rising fuel, energy, logistics, and production costs as a result of the continuing crisis in West Asia, actor and parliamentarian Kamal Haasan on Friday underlined the need for the Indian film industry to evolve practical and sustainable operating practices for efficient filmmaking and urged the different stakeholders of the Indian film industry to have a conversation on how to collectively navigate the economic challenges that lay ahead. Taking to his X timeline to share his thoughts on the issue, Kamal Haasan said, \"The continuing crisis in West Asia is deepening and the world is facing growing pressure on energy, trade, logistics, and economic stability. India too is inevitably feeling the impact of rising fuel, energy, logistics, and production costs.\" The versatile actor went on to add, \"For the Indian film industry, this comes at a time when budgets are already escalating and market recoveries remain uneven. Rising costs will not affect film production alone. Consumer spending patterns for entertainment may also change in the months ahead due to inflationary pressures.The burden will inevitably fall on producers, workers, theatres, distributors, financiers, and the entire ecosystem. If cinema must continue to grow, we must ensure that every rupee spent serves the film, and not merely the appearance of scale.\" However, the actor was clear that any correction in cinema economics must never come at the cost of workers' wages, safety, dignity, food, transport, accommodation, or humane working conditions.  \"The burden cannot fall on those who labour the hardest. The correction we need is elsewhere: in avoidable waste, poor planning, inflated entourage culture, unnecessary foreign travel, production delays, and the growing disconnect between spending and purpose.\" Calling for a meeting between the different stakeholders of the Indian film industry, Kamal Haasan said, \"I believe this is the right time for a meeting of minds across the Indian cinema industry. I urge an industry-wide conversation between producers, actors, directors, unions, studios, exhibitors, distributors, OTT platforms, and guilds towards an industry-wide dialogue on how we collectively navigate the economic challenges ahead.\" He went on to say, \"Together, we must evolve practical and sustainable operating practices for efficient filmmaking: better shooting discipline, tighter schedules, reduced luxury and entourage expenses, limiting avoidable foreign travel where suitable local alternatives exist, conserving energy across sets and studios, and encouraging sustainable set construction and reuse of materials.\" Stating that extravagance had often been mistaken for scale, the veteran actor, director and producer pointed out that some of our greatest films had been made not with excess, but with \"clarity, discipline, and conviction.\" \"The national call for responsible consumption and collective discipline is a timely reminder that every sector must act with foresight and restraint in periods of global uncertainty. The Indian film industry too must rise to the occasion.This is a time for national interest over personal interest. Our industry shapes culture, influences thought, and reaches millions of people every single day; cinema carries responsibilities beyond entertainment alone. Those of us who have received the most from this industry must lead by example first. If we protect the economics of cinema today, we protect the future of cinema tomorrow,\" he said."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aXdKlAIvOtkhB7kR_kamal.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-05-15T13:45:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"kamal-haasan-drops-truth-bomb-on-cinema"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Divyenndu sets foot in ‘Peddi’ as Rambujji"},"content":{"text":"Actor Divyenndu’s character of Rambujji from the upcoming film ‘Peddi’ was unveiled on Friday. Taking to their social media, the makers of Peddi shared a glimpse of his character from the sets of the film. They wrote in the caption, \"Say Hi to #Rambujji. The GAME is about to start! watch @divyenndu in the world of #PEDDI. #PEDDITrailer from May 18th. PEDDI in cinemas worldwide on June 4th. #GetReadyForPeddi”. ‘Peddi’ is one of the biggest releases of the year. It is directed by Buchi Babu Sana and backed by Vriddhi Cinemas and Mythri Movie Makers. The film stars Ram Charan, Janhvi Kapoor in the lead roles along with Jagapathi Babu and Shiva Rajkumar. Prior to this, the makers released the film’s teaser, followed by the ‘Chikiri Chikiri’ song and the ‘Rai Rai Raa Raa’ song. Adding to the growing hype is the film’s music, which has already become one of its biggest talking points. The first single, ‘Chikiri Chikiri’, composed by A. R. Rahman, struck a chord instantly with its infectious energy and crossed 200 million views across platforms. Following its success, ‘Rai Rai Raa Raa’ further elevated the buzz with energetic visuals and grand choreography, amassing over 66 million YouTube views. Written and directed by Buchi Babu Sana, the film is produced by Venkata Satish Kilaru under his banner Vriddhi Cinemas, in collaboration with Mythri Movie Makers. ‘Peddi’ will be released in North India by Jio Studios. The film will have its premiere across the world on June 3, 2026, followed by its worldwide theatrical release on June 4, 2026."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/agcbVaYofJOwHRg-_divyendu.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-15T11:42:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"divyenndu-sets-foot-in-peddi-as-rambujji"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Rajini's Reaction to Vijay's CM Oath"},"content":{"text":"Tamil Nadu witnessed a once-in-a-generation cinematic moment turning into political history as Thalapathy Vijay officially took oath as Chief Minister on May 10 at the iconic Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium. For fans, this wasn’t just a swearing-in ceremony — it felt like the climax of a film decades in the making. The man who ruled screens with mass dialogues and powerful roles has now stepped into real-life leadership, carrying with him the hopes of millions who once cheered him in theatres. What made this moment even more emotional was the reaction — or silence — of cinema’s biggest legends. When Rajinikanth was asked about Vijay’s rise, his response said everything without saying a word. A gentle smile, folded hands, and quiet acknowledgment — classic Rajini style. It was less of a statement and more of a blessing. Meanwhile, Mammootty’s humble “Onnume theriyatha” (I don’t know) added a touch of simplicity, reminding fans that sometimes, even superstars choose grace over grand reactions. But not everyone stayed silent. Kamal Haasan led the wave of open support, expressing hope and confidence in Vijay’s leadership. Celebrities like Vivek Oberoi and Simran joined thousands of fans on social media, pouring in emotional messages that blurred the line between reel admiration and real-world belief. For fans, this is more than politics — it’s a proud transition of their hero from silver screen savior to a leader shaping the future of Tamil Nadu. This is not just Vijay’s victory. It’s a rare moment where cinema, emotion, and governance intersect — where fan whistles evolve into public expectations. And as the curtains rise on this new chapter, one thing is clear: the story has just begun, and all of Tamil Nadu is now watching, not from theatre seats, but from real life."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/agb4i6YofJOwHRPo_Rajinikanth.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C125%2C925%2C456&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-15T10:42:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"rajinis-reaction-to-vijays-cm-oath"}}]},"tech":{"edges":[]},"fashion":{"edges":[]},"business":{"edges":[]},"health":{"edges":[{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Hantavirus Panic Hits US Passengers"},"content":{"text":"In a troubling development, two American passengers from the MV Hondius have raised alarm as they are transported back to the United States with potential hantavirus infections. The Department of Health and Human Services confirmed on Sunday evening that among the 17 evacuees, one individual is exhibiting mild symptoms, while another has tested 'mildly PCR positive' for the Andes strain of the virus. This evacuation comes amidst a backdrop of heightened awareness surrounding hantavirus, which can lead to severe respiratory complications. The cruise ship, which embarked from Argentina in April and traversed the South Atlantic, has been linked to a disturbing cluster of hantavirus cases, including three fatalities. The initial case involved a Dutch passenger who fell ill shortly after boarding, leading to a tragic sequence of events that resulted in both his and his wife’s deaths, as well as that of a German traveler. The virus's unusual capability for human-to-human transmission—particularly the Andes strain—underscores the urgency of the situation, as it typically spreads through contact with infected rodent excreta. Health experts are particularly concerned about this outbreak due to its rarity, with hantaviruses generally transmitting through animal vectors rather than person-to-person contact. The Andes virus, however, poses a unique threat, necessitating close interactions for transmission to occur. A Swiss tour guide who disembarked in Saint Helena and later tested positive suggests that the virus may have circulated among passengers during the voyage. Such developments have prompted increased scrutiny and rigorous monitoring protocols for those who interacted with affected individuals. The 17 American passengers are currently en route to the University of Nebraska Medical Center, which is equipped to handle potential hantavirus cases. The facility will conduct thorough clinical assessments, with asymptomatic individuals expected to monitor their health at home for a full 42 days—the incubation period for the virus. While health officials have classified most passengers as low-risk, the careful tracking and oversight reflect a cautious approach in the face of a potentially serious health crisis, emphasizing both preparedness and the importance of public health vigilance in mitigating outbreaks."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/agHlCKYofJOwHFHL_hantavirus.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-11T05:02:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"hantavirus-alert-us-passengers-evacuated-amid-growing-health-concerns-mp19tz46"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Summer Chill or Skin Kill: The Hidden Perils of AC"},"content":{"text":"As temperatures soar, air conditioning becomes a refuge from the sweltering heat, yet it carries an unsuspected consequence for our skin. The very mechanism that cools our living spaces—lowering humidity levels—has a detrimental effect on skin health. Prolonged exposure to air-conditioned environments can lead to significant dehydration, disrupting the skin's natural barrier and causing a range of issues including heightened sensitivity, flakiness, and even unexpected breakouts. This paradox highlights a critical need for awareness in our skincare routines during the sweltering summer months. The science behind air conditioning reveals a stark reality: the cooling process strips moisture from the air, which in turn accelerates water loss from the skin. This dehydration can affect all skin types, whether oily, dry, or combination. A common misconception is that hydrated skin will always appear visibly dry; in many cases, a lack of moisture can trigger the skin to produce excess oil in a compensatory manner, resulting in clogged pores and acne. This cycle underscores the importance of recognizing air conditioning as a double-edged sword, necessary for comfort yet detrimental to skin vitality. The skin barrier serves as the body’s frontline defense against external aggressors. When faced with the relentless assault of dry air, this barrier struggles to maintain its integrity, leading to issues like increased sensitivity and irritation. Individuals may notice fine lines becoming more pronounced, and persistent redness developing as their skin reacts to the new environment. The long-term implications are unsettling; a compromised skin barrier not only invites dryness but also exposes the skin to pollution and UV damage once individuals venture outside. Understanding this connection is crucial for anyone reliant on air conditioning for comfort. To counteract these adverse effects, skincare strategies must adapt to this summer challenge. Prioritizing deep hydration is essential—switching to lightweight moisturizers infused with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid can help replenish lost moisture without clogging pores. Layering products, such as applying a hydrating serum followed by a moisturizer, creates an additional shield against dry air. Moreover, maintaining internal hydration through adequate water intake and using a humidifier can enhance skin resilience. As the demand for comfort clashes with the need for skin health, it is imperative to strike a balance that ensures both can coexist harmoniously during the hottest months of the year."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/afhRDcBOoF08xkN5_skin.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-03T02:53:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"summer-chill-or-skin-kill-the-hidden-perils-of-air-conditioning-moq2k7ge"}},{"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 & 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":"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":"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 & 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":"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"}}]},"nri":{"edges":[{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"New Republican bill tightens H-1B, asylum rules"},"content":{"text":"Indian professionals, students, and family-based immigrants could face sweeping new restrictions under a hardline immigration proposal introduced by influential Republican lawmaker Tommy Tuberville, including tougher H-1B rules, limits on work authorization for foreign students, and higher English requirements for citizenship.  The 82-page proposal, titled the “American System for Sustainable Immigration and Mass Immigration Limitations Achieved Through Imposing Oversight Nationally Act,” or the “ASSIMILATION Act,” would fundamentally reshape large parts of the US immigration system. According to the text, the legislation seeks to replace what it describes as “family-chain and lottery-based admissions” with a “merit-based system” prioritizing “economic self-sufficiency, cultural assimilation, and the protection of United States workers.” “I’m glad to see the Trump administration is working overtime to deport the millions of criminals who came here illegally during the Biden administration,” Tuberville said in a statement accompanying the bill. “But we also need to remove the incentives that are encouraging people who hate this country to come here in the first place,” he said. The Alabama senator added: “Coming to this country is a privilege, not a right. If you hate this country and refuse to assimilate, we do not want you here.” The legislation would significantly affect Indian nationals, one of the largest groups of beneficiaries under employment-based immigration and H-1B visa programs. Among the bill’s most consequential provisions are new H-1B restrictions. The measure would cut the annual H-1B cap to 50,000 visas and require employers to pay foreign workers at least “200 per cent of the median wage” for the relevant occupation and location. The bill would also limit H-1B status to a single three-year term with no extensions or renewals. It further bars H-1B holders from adjusting to permanent residency unless they remain outside the United States for at least two continuous years after their visa expires. Another major change targets foreign students. The proposal would eliminate Optional Practical Training (OPT), a widely used program allowing international students to work in the US after graduation. The bill would also abolish the diversity visa lottery program entirely and sharply narrow family-sponsored immigration categories. Under the proposal, only spouses and unmarried children under 18 of US citizens would qualify as immediate relatives for immigration purposes. Parents of US citizens would no longer qualify for permanent immigration status but could receive limited five-year nonimmigrant visas without access to employment or public benefits. The legislation would further impose stricter naturalization standards, including raising the residency requirement for citizenship from five years to 10 years and requiring English proficiency at the B2 level under the Common European Framework. Asylum rules would also tighten substantially. The bill would bar work authorization for asylum applicants solely on the basis of pending claims and establish a $500 asylum filing fee. The proposal additionally mandates nationwide use of E-Verify for all new hires and creates new civil and criminal penalties for visa overstays. A companion legislation has been introduced in the House by Andy Ogles. Immigration remains one of the defining political issues in the United States ahead of the 2026 elections, with Republicans increasingly pushing for stricter border enforcement and reduced legal immigration pathways. The debate has intensified under the second Trump administration, which has prioritised deportations, tighter asylum standards, and expanded immigration enforcement."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/782c884d-488e-4f90-a168-fd9d1ecf247c_US+citizenship.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-05-15T03:45:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"new-republican-bill-tightens-h-1b-asylum-rules"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Dollar Shock: US Trip Burns a Hole in Indian Wallets"},"content":{"text":"For many Indians, an overseas trip is no longer just about sightseeing and food—it’s a serious financial calculation. Influencer Akriti Pandey recently went viral after sharing her real experience of traveling in the US while earning in Indian rupees. Her breakdown of everyday expenses left many stunned—an Uber ride costing $67 (around ₹6,300) and three dosas priced at $57 (₹5,300) highlighted just how expensive things can get. Her honest take struck a chord with middle-class Indian millennials, many of whom echoed similar struggles in the comments. The constant mental conversion from dollars to rupees, she pointed out, turns even simple spending into stress. What might feel normal for someone earning in dollars quickly becomes overwhelming for those earning in India. Pandey suggested that company-sponsored trips or brand collaborations could ease the burden, but her larger message was deeper—global travel is increasingly becoming a luxury. The conversation has now shifted beyond travel to a bigger reality check on income gaps, rising costs, and the growing pressure to earn more just to maintain a global lifestyle."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/b3cd8a19-96bc-4e35-8774-eed6dddc15ad_travel.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-11T19:17:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"dollar-shock-us-trip-burns-a-hole-in-indian-wallets"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Big Pay Boost Proposed for H-1B Workers"},"content":{"text":"The US government has put forth a proposal to raise the minimum wages for hiring employees under the H1B visa program. The goal is to increase the wages by 30% from the previously set limits, with the aim of preventing foreign workers from undercutting the salaries of US nationals. The proposed rule, introduced by the US Department of Labor on March 27, seeks to elevate the minimum wages for four categories, spanning from entry-level to experienced positions. The rationale behind this move is that the current wage levels, which were established 20 years ago, are insufficient in safeguarding the interests of US workers.  As per the proposed rule titled 'Improving Wage Protections for the Temporary and Permanent Employment of Certain Foreign Nationals in the United States', the current prevailing wage for entry-level foreign workers stands at USD 73,279 per annum, with subsequent levels at USD 98,987 (Level II), USD 121,979 (Level III), and USD 144,202 (Level IV). The new rule, currently open for public comments until May 26, aims to increase the prevailing wages for entry-level workers to USD 97,746, marking a substantial 33.39% increase over the previous rates.  The proposed wages for Level II, III, and IV are USD 123,212 (24.47% increase), USD 147,333 (20.79% increase), and USD 175,464 (21.68% increase) respectively. It's important to note that prevailing wages vary from city to city. The Department of Labor has highlighted that the current methodology allows employers to hire foreign workers at wage levels significantly lower than those paid to similarly employed US workers. If implemented, these changes will have a significant impact on the prevailing wage levels used in the H1B, H1B1, E-3, and PERM labor certification programs. The proposed rules have sparked diverse responses, with overwhelming support from some quarters and opposition from others. Critics argue that smaller companies may face challenges in hiring entry-level workers due to the higher prevailing wages. The public comment period will conclude on May 26, after which the Department of Labor will review the feedback and proceed to finalize the rule."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad%2Fcf9b726b-0761-4f6a-bef9-41aa90a09c27_h1b+visa.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=0,54,1200,592&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-09T18:53:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"us-government-proposes-significant-increase-in-minimum-wages-for-h1b-workers-mozcxqj8"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Young NRI’s Post on Missing India Strikes a Chord"},"content":{"text":"A 26-year-old Indian living in the UK has sparked a wave of emotion online after opening up about the hidden struggles behind his seemingly successful life abroad. Despite a stable career and strong financial footing, he admitted to feeling deeply unfulfilled, missing the warmth of India—childhood friends, everyday conversations, and the comfort of belonging. His post reflects a dilemma many NRIs silently face: choosing between financial security overseas and emotional satisfaction back home. While he stays connected with friends in India and often feels tempted to return, concerns about career risks and a changing India hold him back. This internal tug-of-war between heart and practicality has resonated widely across the diaspora. The story has triggered conversations around burnout, loneliness, and identity crises among young Indians abroad. It highlights a reality often overlooked—success in numbers doesn’t always translate to happiness, and for many NRIs, the biggest battle isn’t professional, but emotional."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/dc939c02-d178-43b7-a357-51483d7e80ca_stress.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-08T07:30:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"young-nris-post-on-missing-india-strikes-a-chord"}}]},"videos":{"edges":[{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"'VeeraBhadrudu' Trailer"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/agLhqaYofJOwHG9a_veerabhadrudu.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-11T19:15:00+0000","third_party_url":null},"uid":"veerabhadrudu-trailer"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"CM Vijay First Speech In Assembly"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/agLjPKYofJOwHG-w_vijayspeechinassemb%3By.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-12T06:30:00+0000","third_party_url":null},"uid":"cm-vijay-first-speech-in-assembly"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Armed robbers storm jewellery showroom"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/afctLMBOoF08xjko_armedrobbery.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-03T11:15:00+0000","third_party_url":null},"uid":"armed-robbers-storm-jewellery-showroom"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Ashu Reddy's Father Reaction On Controversy"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/65db209f3a605798c18c3733_AshuReddy-2-.jpeg?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C73%2C1024%2C505&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-03T08:44:00+0000","third_party_url":null},"uid":"ashu-reddys-father-reaction-on-controversy"}},{"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"}}]},"editorial":{"edges":[{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Austerity Call: A Political Moment Or Mere A Political Noise?"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/agbycKYofJOwHRMg_cbnmodipk.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-05-15T05:32:00+0000","third_party_url":null},"uid":"austerity-call-a-political-moment-or-mere-a-politi"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Saffron Shields And Felony Warrants"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/agV40aYofJOwHPXa_bandisanjay.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-14T07:25:00+0000","third_party_url":null},"uid":"saffron-shields-and-felony-warrants"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"The Tale Of Two Austerity Calls"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/agMVY6YofJOwHH2v_indiragandhimodi.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-12T10:56:00+0000","third_party_url":null},"uid":"the-tale-of-two-austerity-calls"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"The 'Austerity' Show: Rules For Thee, But Not For Me"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/agLbaKYofJOwHG5X_modishow.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-12T06:49:00+0000","third_party_url":null},"uid":"the-austerity-show-rules-for-thee-but-not-for-me"}}]},"gallery":{"edges":[{"node":{"tags":["gallery"],"last_publication_date":"2026-05-02T12:20:57+0000","data":{"title":{"text":"Kajal Aggarwal Stunning Stills"},"content":{"text":"Kajal A Kitchlu, known professionally as Kajal Aggarwal, is an Indian actress who predominantly works in Telugu, Tamil and Hindi films. Aggarwal is considered one of the highest paid actresses of South Indian cinema. She is a recipient of three SIIMA Awards and a Filmfare Award."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/afXrHcBOoF08xjQk_kajal2028.JPG?auto=format,compress"}},"uid":"kajal-aggarwal-stunning-stills"}},{"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"}}]},"one":{"edges":[{"node":{"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Austerity Call: A Political Moment Or Mere A Political Noise?"},"content":{"text":"“The beauty of a Democracy: “The people get what they choose and deserve” This profound wisdom reminds us that for most citizens, national duty ends with a single press of an EVM button. Unfortunately, that voting process has become a ticket to a continuous farce. This reality now echoes loudly in the theatre of austerity being enacted by our ruling class. It is a textbook case of citizens watching a drama performed in a theatre they funded. India’s Supreme Leader recently urged his subjects to follow strict seven-point austerity measures amidst a serious energy and economic crunch. In doing so, he attempted a bizarre balancing act. He is walking a tightrope between claiming the nation is a global economic superpower and warning of potential financial ruin. He demanded absolute sacrifice, ordering his gullible subjects to follow a strict starvation diet of energy and cash. The state declares the crisis is real, and citizens must sacrifice for the nation. Given the volatile global energy markets and tightened international supply chains, one could argue the leader is simply trying to manage a global crisis.  However, his IT cell warriors are spinning these desperate appeals as a patriotic masterstroke. Digital armies are working overtime to convince the public that obliging to his calls is an act of high patriotism. The true duplicity lies in this propaganda machinery. The regime's ecosystem constantly boasts that India is performing better than the rest of the world, but his frantic clarion call tells a different story. While citizens braced themselves to oblige the call with patriotic fervour, viral videos on social media exposed the truth. The government burned millions of litres of fuel for an exorbitant, chest-thumping military airshow at Somnath Park. Combined with news of the leader's upcoming foreign trips, a massive public backlash erupted. The optical illusion shattered, revealing a blunt reality: the public undergoes mandatory rationing, while the ruling elite enjoys taxpayer-funded joyrides. Sensing a nationwide rage, the union cabinet and its alliance partners in the states panicked. To dilute the brewing anger, union ministers and party-led state governments hastily launched damage-control routines. Politicians rushed to cameras, announcing \"austerity measures\" like downsizing their exorbitant VIP convoys. They suddenly discovered a deep commitment to financial discipline. This wave of sudden frugality is not a genuine political movement; it is pure survival theatre.  These knee-jerk responses are political noise designed to pacify the tax-paying crowd without surrendering an ounce of actual systemic privilege. Nowhere is this theatrical tragicomedy funnier than in Andhra Pradesh. Eager to please the Supreme Leader, the TDP-led state government rolled out its own hyper-performative austerity drive. In a breathtaking announcement that directly contradicts his usual \"CEO-style\" corporate governance, the visionary Chief Minister slashed his official convoy fleet. Ministers and bureaucrats were seriously instructed to save the state’s economy by riding bicycles, walking, or working from home. Calling this move jaw-droppingly hypocritical is not being cynical, it is being accurate. Instead of redressing the deep structural weaknesses caused by fiscal policies that rely heavily on borrowed funds, the Chief Minister is simply shifting the burden of macroeconomic stability onto his subjects. While underpaid orderlies are told to walk to save pennies, leaders continue to burn fortunes daily. They routinely board lavish, taxpayer-funded special flights and private charters to shuttle back and forth between Hyderabad and Amaravati. It is one thing to preach \"lifestyle changes\" to the lower classes, but it is another to engineer a fiscal apocalypse. The state government is borrowing lakhs of crores from the World Bank and ADB. This mountain of high-interest debt is being dumped directly into building a glittering, speculative \"world-class capital\" at Amaravati. Thus, these austerity measures reveal themselves as empty political noise. The true mathematics of the state involve accumulating massive debt to build an elite playground for future politics. On one hand, cabinet ministers fly in luxury private jets. On the other, they expect underpaid workers, impoverished citizens, and middle-class families drowning in loan EMIs to suffer and fix the state's economy. The financial measures announced from New Delhi to Amaravati are ultimately a massive Accidental Confession. In their frantic rush to look poor, the entire political class has tripped over its own greed. By proudly announcing what they are cutting today, they have openly confessed to what they have been wasting for years. Their sudden, reactive frugality exposes a devastating truth: if they can easily survive without massive convoys and issue \"walking orders\" today, they are admitting that their daily luxury jet charters and bloated fleets were an intentional, indefensible drain on public funds yesterday. It proves that present financial discipline is never a genuine principle. It is merely a desperate PR strategy triggered only when they fear a massive public backlash. Ultimately, the curtain must fall on this grand illusion. We, The People, have spent twelve long years listening to grand promises of a golden age. We were promised a developed nation under the glorious slogans of “Viksit Bharat” and “Amrit Kaal.” We were told that strong, unyielding leadership had finally arrived to lift us all into prosperity. So, we the people must ask ourselves a very simple question: If the leadership is so strong, and the nation is so developed, why are citizens always the ones being asked to suffer and sacrifice so much in the first place? Are we to remain permanently subjected to John F. Kennedy’s wisdom of “Desham meeku em chesindi ani kaadu, deshaniki meerem chesaranedi alochinchandi” (\"Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country\"), while our leaders continue to indulge in cheap political theatrics? The bitter truth is that the public keeps giving everything to the country, while the ruling class keeps taking everything from it. It is time to flip the script and ask the leaders what they have actually given to the nation, besides a front-row ticket to a farce we are forced to fund."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/agbycKYofJOwHRMg_cbnmodipk.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-05-15T05:32:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"austerity-call-a-political-moment-or-mere-a-politi"}}]},"two":{"edges":[{"node":{"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Cannes 2026: Alia Steals the Spotlight "},"content":{"text":"Alia Bhatt made waves at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, enchanting attendees with a striking ensemble that effortlessly bridged the opulence of Regency-era aesthetics and the intricacies of Indian craftsmanship. The acclaimed actress, known for her bold sartorial choices, donned an exquisite piece by designer Tarun Tahiliani, a look that has since ignited discussions across fashion forums and social media. This regal attire marked a departure from her previous fairytale-inspired outfits, positioning Bhatt as a dominant force in this year's fashion narrative at Cannes. Tahiliani's creation, inspired by the lavish world of popular period dramas such as *Bridgerton*, was custom-crafted for Bhatt's appearance, featuring a rich palette of muted ivory and deep burgundy. The interplay between structured Victorian silhouettes and the fluidity of traditional Indian draping was evident in the ensemble, which showcased detailed corsetry and sculpted tailoring. This contemporary reinterpretation of Indian chintz traditions underlines a seamless fusion of Western and Eastern fashion influences that have become a hallmark of this year’s red carpet encounters. The Cannes Film Festival has long served as a global platform for showcasing not just cinematic talent but also the evolving landscape of fashion. Bhatt’s latest look exemplifies the growing trend of integrating heritage into modern couture, reflecting a broader cultural narrative where traditional techniques are celebrated and innovatively reimagined. This significant moment for Bhatt highlights a shift in the fashion dialogue, where Indian designers are increasingly gaining international acclaim, bringing their rich textile heritage into conversations dominated by Western fashion paradigms. Alia Bhatt's styling choices further enhanced the regal essence of her ensemble. With her hair elegantly swept into a refined bun, the understated beauty look allowed the intricate details of her outfit to shine. Complementing the ensemble, Bhatt adorned herself with opulent jewelry from Sunita Shekhawat Jaipur and Amrapali Jewels, while additional accents from A Jewels by Anmol added to the East-meets-West narrative. Each meticulously chosen piece reinforced her position at the intersection of luxury fashion and cultural storytelling, making her one of the most talked-about figures at Cannes 2026."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/agddQaYofJOwHSQs_alia.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-15T10:48:25+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"cannes-2026-alia-bhatt-steals-the-spotlight-in-a-regal-tarun-tahiliani-creation-mp6snt5t"}}]},"three":{"edges":[{"node":{"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Suriya Soars in 'Karuppu'"},"content":{"text":"After a protracted wait marked by numerous delays, Suriya's much-anticipated film 'Karuppu' has finally graced theaters, marking a significant moment in Tamil cinema. Early reviews from enthusiastic fans have proclaimed it a resounding success, particularly highlighting Suriya's compelling performance and Sai Abhyankkar's stirring musical score. As audiences flock to cinemas, social media buzzes with praise, with many calling it a definitive commercial entertainer that delivers on both emotional and action-packed fronts. Critics have taken note of the film’s structure, with a noticeable split between its emotionally charged first half and a more action-oriented second half. One user on X described the initial segment as brimming with a solid narrative and an emotional depth that resonates with viewers, while the latter half, although perceived as lacking in story coherence, still manages to captivate and entertain. This juxtaposition of strengths has resonated well with audiences, as they engage in enthusiastic discussions about the film's myriad moments that evoke cheers and applause within the theater. 'Karuppu' is not merely another addition to Suriya's illustrious filmography; it is a reflection of his evolution as an actor and a testament to the collaborative efforts behind the camera. Directed by RJ Balaji, who has adeptly transitioned from actor to filmmaker, the project showcases the collective talents of a skilled crew, including cinematographer GK Vishnu and editor R Kalaivanan. The film's music, composed by Sai Abhyankkar, marks an important milestone in his career, serving as a backbone to the narrative and receiving commendations for its impactful background score that heightens key scenes. In terms of storyline, 'Karuppu' features Suriya in the titular role of Saravanan, with Trisha portraying the character of Preethi. The film includes a vibrant ensemble cast, featuring notable talents such as Natty Natraj and Mansoor Ali Khan. Despite some criticisms regarding logical inconsistencies and character development—particularly in Trisha's role—the overall reception has leaned towards appreciation, with fans labeling it as a true representation of commercial cinema. Audience reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, with many dubbing 'Karuppu' a blockbuster in the making, signifying a triumphant return for Suriya to the big screen."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/abvJtrbci2UF6Qf4_kuruppu.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-15T10:48:20+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"suriya-soars-in-karuppu-a-cinematic-triumph-ignites-fan-excitement-mp6snot4"}}]},"four":{"edges":[{"node":{"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Divyenndu sets foot in ‘Peddi’ as Rambujji"},"content":{"text":"Actor Divyenndu’s character of Rambujji from the upcoming film ‘Peddi’ was unveiled on Friday. Taking to their social media, the makers of Peddi shared a glimpse of his character from the sets of the film. They wrote in the caption, \"Say Hi to #Rambujji. The GAME is about to start! watch @divyenndu in the world of #PEDDI. #PEDDITrailer from May 18th. PEDDI in cinemas worldwide on June 4th. #GetReadyForPeddi”. ‘Peddi’ is one of the biggest releases of the year. It is directed by Buchi Babu Sana and backed by Vriddhi Cinemas and Mythri Movie Makers. The film stars Ram Charan, Janhvi Kapoor in the lead roles along with Jagapathi Babu and Shiva Rajkumar. Prior to this, the makers released the film’s teaser, followed by the ‘Chikiri Chikiri’ song and the ‘Rai Rai Raa Raa’ song. Adding to the growing hype is the film’s music, which has already become one of its biggest talking points. The first single, ‘Chikiri Chikiri’, composed by A. R. Rahman, struck a chord instantly with its infectious energy and crossed 200 million views across platforms. Following its success, ‘Rai Rai Raa Raa’ further elevated the buzz with energetic visuals and grand choreography, amassing over 66 million YouTube views. Written and directed by Buchi Babu Sana, the film is produced by Venkata Satish Kilaru under his banner Vriddhi Cinemas, in collaboration with Mythri Movie Makers. ‘Peddi’ will be released in North India by Jio Studios. The film will have its premiere across the world on June 3, 2026, followed by its worldwide theatrical release on June 4, 2026."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/agcbVaYofJOwHRg-_divyendu.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-15T11:42:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"divyenndu-sets-foot-in-peddi-as-rambujji"}}]},"five":{"edges":[]},"review":{"edges":[{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"title":{"text":"Review: 'Aakhri Sawal'"},"content":{"text":"There are films that entertain, there are films that provoke, and then there are films like Aakhri Sawal that arrive like a storm and force an entire nation to confront the questions it has avoided for decades. Directed by Abhijeet Mohan Warang and Produced by Nikhil Nanda, this hard-hitting political drama is not designed to comfort the audience. It is designed to challenge them, disturb them, and leave them thinking long after the credits roll. At a time when mainstream cinema often plays safe, Aakhri Sawal chooses courage. The film openly touches upon some of the nation’s most controversial and emotionally charged subjects — from the demolition of the Babri Masjid to the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi — and raises questions that generations have debated but never fully answered. What makes the film even more shocking is the unapologetic honesty with which these conversations are presented. The narrative dares to ask whether organizations like the RSS had deeper involvement in these historic events, and the way the film lays out its perspective and facts leaves the audience stunned. There are moments where the sheer boldness of the writing genuinely makes your jaw drop. Sanjay Dutt delivers what can easily be called one of the most intense performances of his career. This is not the larger-than-life Sanjay Dutt audiences are used to seeing. This is a restrained, wounded, fearless performer carrying the weight of history, anger, and truth in his eyes. Every dialogue lands with impact, and every silent moment speaks even louder. His performance elevates the film from being just politically relevant to emotionally unforgettable. The biggest surprise package, however, is Namashi Chakraborty. He emerges as the soul of the film and proves that he is far more than what audiences expected. His sincerity, emotional depth, and screen presence add an unpredictable energy to the narrative. Several scenes involving him leave a lasting impact and showcase an actor ready for much bigger recognition. One of the strongest aspects of Aakhri Sawal is its newsroom debate sequences. These portions are written with remarkable intensity and intelligence, constantly keeping the audience intrigued. The confrontations feel raw and real, almost like watching a nation argue with itself on screen. Some sequences are so emotionally charged and haunting that they genuinely stir your soul. Visually, the film maintains tension throughout. Every frame carries weight and purpose, ensuring that the audience remains invested till the very end. The storytelling never loses grip despite dealing with layered political and historical themes. Instead of becoming preachy, the film remains emotionally engaging and deeply human. The supporting cast including Amit Sadh, Sameera Reddy, Neetu Chandra and Tridha Choudhury deliver some of their most impactful performances ever, adding further strength to the film’s emotionally heavy narrative. Producer Nikhil Nanda deserves appreciation for backing a subject this fearless and uncompromising. Aakhri Sawal does not feel like just another film. It feels like a conversation India was never prepared to have openly. Bold, unsettling, emotional, and brutally honest, the film succeeds in doing what very few political dramas achieve it makes the audience uncomfortable while also keeping them completely engaged. This is courageous cinema in its purest form."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/agbLRqYofJOwHQ43_aakhrisawal.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-15T06:29:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"review-aakhri-sawal"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"title":{"text":"Review: Daadi Ki Shaadi"},"content":{"text":"The film revolves around Kapil, who is navigating an arranged marriage setup when he meets Sadia Khateeb, his prospective match. Just when things begin to settle into a traditional roka, the situation takes an unexpected turn, Sadia’s daadi announces her own decision to get married, completely shifting the emotional and social dynamics of the family. The story moves to Shimla, where the daadi (Neetu Kapoor) lives alone. Her two sons and daughter rush to Shimla after reading online about her decision to remarry at this age, especially as her phone is switched off, leaving them worried and unable to reach her. Caught in the middle of this chaos is Kapil, who is deeply in love with Sadia Khateeb. Even after his own roka is called off under the belief that his union cannot continue if the daadi is remarrying, he chooses to stay connected to Sadia. He eventually joins the family’s chaotic mission, though with a very different intent: to stop the daadi’s wedding and salvage his own love story in the process. What unfolds is a mix of emotional clashes, comedic misunderstandings, and generational conflict, eventually building towards a surprisingly heartfelt resolution that touches upon family, acceptance, and letting go. Performances: Neetu Kapoor is the undeniable anchor of the film, delivering a graceful yet fearless performance as the daadi. She brings warmth, dignity, and emotional unpredictability, making her character both endearing and impactful. Kapil Sharma balances humour and emotion with ease. His performance feels natural, especially as his character transitions from a hopeful groom to someone emotionally entangled in a much larger family conflict. Sadia Khateeb lends quiet strength to her role, portraying confusion, affection, and emotional restraint with sincerity. She remains the emotional bridge between the chaotic family dynamics. The supporting cast, playing the daadi’s children, effectively drives the central conflict, bringing in frustration, humour, and generational resistance that fuels the narrative. Direction and Writing: The film stands out for its emotional clarity and grounded storytelling, leaning into relatable family dynamics and human reactions. The writing is on point and effective, allowing situations to unfold naturally rather than forcefully. Ashish R Mohan’s direction is confident and patient, often letting silence, reactions, and awkward family exchanges carry as much weight as dialogue. This gives the film its authenticity and emotional depth. Music and Visuals: The music complements the narrative without overwhelming it, subtly enhancing emotional and light-hearted moments. Visually, the film maintains a warm, accessible tone, making the world feel familiar and lived-in. Verdict: A heartfelt, well-crafted family entertainer that blends generational conflict, humour, and emotion into a cohesive experience. It works because of its sincerity and its ability to find humour within emotional chaos. Final Word: Warm, chaotic, and deeply human, this is family cinema done right."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/af2G8qYofJOwG-KX_KapilDaadiKiShaadi.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C0%2C874%2C431&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-08T05:59:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"daadi-ki-shaadi-movie-review"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"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":null}},"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 & 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"}}]}},"pageContext":{"isCreatedByStatefulCreatePages":true}}