{"data":{"all":{"edges":[{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment","featured","three"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Venkatesh’s New Army Avatar"},"content":{"text":"The makers of director Anil Ravipudi's eagerly awaited entertainer, featuring actors Venkatesh and Anil Ravipudi in the lead, on Friday released the first look of actor Venkatesh as Lt. Colonel Venkat Reddy in the film on the occasion of the star completing 40 glorious years in the film industry.  After having unveiled Kalyan Ram’s look in the film on the occasion of his birthday, the makers on Friday unveiled the first look of Venkatesh, on the occasion of the star completing 40 glorious years in the industry.  The poster shows Venkatesh in an Indian Army camouflage uniform, sporting sunglasses and a scarf, standing beside a rugged SUV. His composed stance and intense styling establish the image of a strict military officer. The poster identifies Venkatesh as Lt. Colonel Venkat Reddy, serving in the Indian Army and specialising in counter-terrorism and hostage negotiation. The Army insignia and crossed-swords emblem in the backdrop reinforce the military setting. The muted blue-green sky, rocky terrain and imposing vehicle create a gritty, adventurous and patriotic atmosphere, while the earthy camouflage tones complement the rugged landscape.  The combination of Venkatesh and Kalyan Ram is expected to be a major attraction, as their contrasting personalities and lively camaraderie are set to bring an exciting dimension to Anil Ravipudi’s trademark brand of entertainment. Produced by Sahu Garapati under the Shine Screens banner, the film is being presented by Suresh Productions Archana, and Zee Studios. Sources say that work on the much-awaited film was progressing at a brisk pace and that the prestigious project was shaping up as a grand-scale entertainer. Keerthy Suresh stars opposite Venkatesh in the film, while Krithi Shetty is paired with Kalyan Ram. The film brings together an accomplished technical team, with GV Prakash Kumar composing its music, Sameer Reddy handling cinematography, Tammiraju taking care of the editing, and AS Prakash designing the production. S Krishna serves as the executive producer. Built on a lavish canvas and packed with humour, emotions, family drama and celebratory entertainment, #VenkyAnil5 / #NKRAR2 is being positioned as a wholesome festive entertainer. The film is slated to hit screens for Sankranthi next year."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/thYsRcmSEC9aHTCG_venkyanil.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-08-14T12:48:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"venkateshs-new-army-avatar"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Yash Surprised by Kiara’s Rain Debut"},"content":{"text":"Yash revealed that he was surprised to learn that Kiara Advani had never done a rain sequence before 'Toxic', despite spending so many years in Bollywood. Addressing the album launch event of 'Toxic' in Mumbai, Yash shared that when he asked Kiara if she had done a rain sequence, she said no, and he convinced her that it was going to be easy. Yash was heard saying, \"When Kiara came into this film, I was a little worried because it is too demanding. The first time we spoke, I asked her, 'have you ever done the rain sequence?' and she said, 'Never, how is it?' And I was like 'Oh, all these years you have worked and you have never done a rain sequence'. She said, 'No'. And I said, 'Yeah, it's going to be good, easy'.\" Yash also praised Kiara, saying that the actress came with 100% commitment despite being pregnant with her daughter at the time of the shoot. He revealed that he and director Geetu Mohandas were extremely scared and acted like Kiara's bodyguard during the shoot.  \"And then I saw the way she dedicated herself, and I must say, even after she was pregnant, she came with 100% commitment. We all were so scared. I was more worried. Gitu was more worried. We were more like bouncers or bodyguards, where we used to take care of her. But she has really dedicated herself. So thank you, Kiara. This one is special,” the 'KGF' actor went on to add. Yash even went on to call another leading lady from 'Toxic', Tara Sutaria, a 'stunning beauty'. \"I was told, 'You know in your whole movie the character what she is playing that looks authentic like a Disney queen or a character from that era'. So that makes me a little conscious standing next to her that I am not looking according to the period or because she is so good looking that that's making me look little local,\" he said."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/ORIzscMqWBkuJ-8D_yashkaira.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-08-14T11:48:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"yash-surprised-by-kiaras-rain-debut"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment","featured","four"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"‘Korean Kanakaraju’ Sees Highs, Lows"},"content":{"text":"In a notable showing at the theaters, Varun Tej's Telugu horror comedy, 'Korean Kanakaraju,' has nearly reached the ₹20 crore mark in India net collections after its first week, closing Day 7 with an estimated ₹19.02 crore. This figure was bolstered by a modest ₹0.83 crore collected on Thursday, August 13, reflecting a significant drop of 35.7% from Wednesday's earnings of ₹1.29 crore, according to reliable box office tracking sources such as Sacnilk. The film's overall gross stands at ₹21.86 crore in India, while its overseas collection has reached ₹5 crore, culminating in a worldwide gross of approximately ₹26.86 crore. The film's trajectory in its initial week serves as an indicator of audience engagement and market reception. The performance of 'Korean Kanakaraju' has displayed an interesting pattern over its first week. Launching with a strong opening of ₹4.20 crore on its debut day, the film sustained solid collections during the opening weekend, peaking at ₹4.85 crore on Sunday. However, post-weekend figures reveal a marked decline, with daily collections subsequently dropping consistently from Monday through Thursday. The film screened in 1,666 shows on Thursday, securing an occupancy rate of 19%, which further contributed to the overall narrative of fluctuating viewer interest. As the film nears the end of its first week, the declining numbers raise questions regarding its staying power in theaters. Produced by Rajeev Reddy and Sai Babu Jagarlamudi under the banners of UV Creations and First Frame Entertainment, 'Korean Kanakaraju' is directed by Merlapaka Gandhi. The film features a cast that includes Ritika Nayak and Satya alongside Tej, providing a mix of talent that appeals to both horror and comedy enthusiasts. The plot centers around a young man from Rayalaseema whose life spirals into chaotic comedy upon the arrival of a spirit linked to Korea. This blend of cultural elements and supernatural themes adds depth to the narrative, making it an intriguing watch within the genre. As audiences reflect on the film's performance, industry analysts are closely monitoring the subsequent days' collections, particularly as Friday marks Day 8 of its theatrical run. The outcome will provide early insights into the film's ability to maintain momentum or if it will continue to wane as it progresses further into its second week. With solid initial numbers, the industry is keenly observing whether 'Korean Kanakaraju' can reclaim its footing or if the downward trend will persist, impacting its longevity in cinemas."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/OtpSnAMsUGhEbSwD_KK.JPG?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C2%2C600%2C296&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-08-14T12:19:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"korean-kanakaraju-sees-highs-lows"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Prabhu, Sukanya's reunion after 31 years!"},"content":{"text":"The makers of director Priyan Rajendran's upcoming action entertainer, featuring actor Rakshan  in the lead, have now announced the title of the film as 'Mary Gold'.  The film, which is being produced by well known production house Trident Arts, is being produced by R. Ravindran and co-produced by Sudharsan. The film is Trident Arts's 21st production. Sources close to the unit of the film say that actress Namritha plays the female lead in this film, which will be set against the backdrop of Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi. One other highlight about this upcoming project is that it will mark the reunion of the popular on-screen pair, Prabhu and Sukanya, after 31 years. The duo had previously starred together in films such as 'Senthamizh Paattu', 'Chinna Mappillai' and 'Mr. Madras'. Sources hint at 'Mary Gold' being an engaging and fast-paced story. Set in southern Tamil Nadu, the film, sources have revealed, will revolve around the intriguing rivalry between characters from Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi, while exploring their distinctive lifestyles. At its heart, 'Mary Gold' will be an emotional family drama with an engaging narrative, they add and point out that the unit plans to shoot the film swiftly. Apart from Rakshan, Namritha, Prabhu and Sukanya, the film will feature a number of character artistes including Singampuli, Vadivukkarasi, Imaan Annachi, Vivek Prasanna, Stalin and Vadivel Murugan in important roles. On the technical front, the film will have cinematography by Mallikarjun and music by one of the Tamil industry's most promising music composers, Siddhu Kumar. Editing for the film will be by R Nirmal and art direction will be by G Durai Raj. Dances in the film are to be choreographed by Deepu M while stunts in the film are to be choreographed by Abishek Srinivasan. Sanjay Vijayraghavan plays the role of a Creative Producer for this film."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/Td0puOFGQ7klbsFV_prabhusukanya.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-08-14T02:55:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"prabhu-sukanyas-reunion-after-31-years"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"'Toxic' cleared for release with an 'A' certificate?"},"content":{"text":"If sources in the industry are to be believed, director Geetu Mohandas's eagerly awaited pan Indian action spectacle, 'Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown Ups', featuring Yash in the lead, has now been cleared by the Censor Board for release with an 'A' certificate. Sources claim that the version cleared by the Censor Board has a runtime of three hours and 14 minutes and that the story is set in Goa. However, there has been no official confirmation from the makers in this regard as of now.  The film, which features a number of top stars including Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Tara Sutaria, Rukmini Vasanth, and Huma Qureshi, has triggered huge interest in fans and film buffs, ever since the makers released a trailer. The trailer released showed that 'Toxic' revolves around the complex relationship between Raya and his son, Ticket, accompanied by a web of relationships and rivalries. The trailer also gave an insight into the character arcs of the female leads of the drama - Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Tara Sutaria, Rukmini Vasanth, and Huma Qureshi. The trailer did not give out much about the storyline of the film, but communicated the basic sentiment of the world where chaos meets chaos. All the actors, who are a part of the film, are betting big on the pan-Indian magnum opus. In fact, actress Nayanthara, who plays a pivotal role in the film, raised expectations when she said that the film would blow audiences' minds at the trailer launch event of the film.  Originally scheduled to reach the audience in March, 'Toxic' was pushed to June, citing ‘uncertainty in the Middle East’. Now, 'Toxic' is slated to hit screens on August 26 this year. Shot simultaneously in English and Kannada, 'Toxic' will also have dubbed versions in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam. Made under the direction of Geetu Mohandas, 'Toxic' has been jointly backed by KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/ajeipY1P9HI4UxCB_toxic.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,2,2020,996&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-08-14T03:24:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"toxic-cleared-for-release-with-an-a-certificate"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"‘Bhogi’ Wraps Action Schedule in Record Time!"},"content":{"text":"The unit of director Sampath Nandi's explosive period action drama, 'Bhogi', featuring actor Sharwanand in the lead, has now successfully wrapped up another action-heavy schedule of the film.   Taking to his X timeline to announce the completion of the latest schedule, director Sampath Nandi wrote, \"Beautiful...Another action loaded schedule wrapped. @ImSharwanand garuu… your effort speaks in every frame. #BHOGI keeps getting bigger, tougher and more exciting. My action beast @dhilipaction garu, DoP ace @kishorkumardop brother and the entire squad…Thank you for giving it everything. Marching Ahead. A #SharwaSampathBloodFest.\" The fact that the unit has wrapped another schedule in less than a fortnight of completing its challenging climax schedule has caught the attention of industry pundits. For the unaware, the unit of Bhogi had wrapped up a spectacular 22-day continuous climax schedule only in July. The climax, which was shot on a gigantic set conceived by production designer Kiran Kumar Manne, required nearly three months of meticulous preparation. The massive action-packed sequence had brought together more than 800 junior artistes, making it one of the biggest schedules in the film. Sources had then pointed out that producer KK Radhamohan had left no stone unturned to ensure world-class execution across every department. Sources have claimed that the climax sequence features some adrenaline-pumping action portions that have been choreographed by popular stunt master Dhilip Subbarayan and that these portions are bound to give audiences a breathtaking theatrical experience. Sharwa, who plays the powerful character Ganga, is said to have delivered a career-defining performance. Sources have also pointed out that the actor had to undergo over two-and-a-half hours of intricate makeup every day, followed by nearly an hour for makeup removal after the shoot. The physically demanding transformation and intense action episodes are expected to stand out as one of the biggest highlights of the film. The film features Anupama Parameswaran and Dimple Hayathi as the female leads. Already, the makers of the film have released the first looks of actresses Anupama Parameswaran as Kandula Sulochana Rani and Dimple Hayathi as Mandaram in the film.   Sources had said that Sulochana (the character Anupama plays in the film) will be a spirited person who is deeply rooted in nature. Earning her livelihood by crafting leaf plates from Moduga leaves, the “Flame of the Forest” Sulochana would embody both resilience and quiet strength in the film, they had informed. Mandaram (the character Dimple Hayathi plays in the film), the sources had disclosed, will be a bold and powerful character who simply does not care for the world. 'Bhogi' is set in the early 1960s and unfolds in a fictional village on the Telangana-Maharashtra border. Slated for a grand pan-India release, the film is to hit theatres in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi on August 28 this year."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aZ6a1cFoBIGEgwfp_bhogi.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-08-14T03:35:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"bhogi-wraps-action-schedule-in-record-time"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Samantha’s ‘Mini Breakdown’ Over Changing Fits"},"content":{"text":"Actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu, who is expecting her first child with filmmaker-husband Raj Nidimoru, shared a candid glimpse of her pregnancy journey on Thursday night.  The actress, in a light hearted note, revealed about having a “mini breakdown” after which she realised that most of her wardrobe no longer fits her. Samantha took to her social media account to share a mirror selfie in a casual outfit. She wrote, “Right after my mini breakdown realising most of my wardrobe doesn’t fit anymore. That lasted all of 2 seconds. Holiday with 2 sets of clothes it is (sic)” As Samantha is all set to enter a new phase of her life, she seems to be preparing in full swing to welcome her firstborn. The actress, who tied the knot in December 2025 with Raj, confirmed that she was expecting her first child this year. As part of her preparation for motherhood, Samantha had recently shared a glimpse of her August diaries on social media. In one of the pictures, she was seen reading Ina May Gaskin's Ina May's Guide to Childbirth while relaxing on a couch. She captioned the post, “August energy.\" For the uninitiated, Samantha's pregnancy announcement came during the success meet of her latest release, Maa Inti Bangaaram, in Hyderabad in June. Addressing the media, she said she would take a brief maternity break after completing her current professional commitments. “After Maa Inti Bangaaram, I will have to take a small break, given my condition. I’ll have to take maternity leave. After that, I’ll be back with another film for my fans,” Samantha had said. Samantha and Raj's professional association dates back to The Family Man 2 and Citadel: Honey Bunny, after which their relationship evolved beyond the workplace."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/7d20e45a-27c3-4682-9cb8-e7a9fdf0ed41_samantha+akkineni.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-08-14T04:33:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"samanthas-mini-breakdown-over-changing-fits"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"‘George Krish’ Brings the Crazy Combo"},"content":{"text":"Sharwanand is teaming up with filmmaker Sreenu Vaitla for the first time in a new Telugu entertainer titled George Krish. The collaboration brings together Sharwanand’s versatile screen presence and Vaitla’s trademark comic storytelling, making the project one of the more interesting combinations currently taking shape in Tollywood. The film was formally launched with a traditional pooja ceremony, adding to the buzz surrounding the new venture. Produced by Anil Sunkara under the AK Entertainments banner, the makers unveiled the title George Krish at the launch event. The film is expected to blend humour, entertainment and Sharwanand’s energetic performance with Vaitla’s distinctive style of filmmaking. Music composer Anup Rubens has been brought on board to score the project, further strengthening its entertainment credentials. The team also surprised fans by announcing the release date on the very day of the launch. George Krish is scheduled to arrive in cinemas worldwide on January 14 next year as a Sankranthi release. With the combination of a popular star, an experienced entertainer and a festive release window, the project has already begun generating considerable interest among audiences and trade circles."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/ZtDOCarBJuTmRDh2_georgeKrish.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-08-14T06:16:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"george-krish-brings-the-crazy-combo"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Jagan: Andhra govt will have to repent"},"content":{"text":"Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) President Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has accused the Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led coalition government led by the Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of pursuing its vindictive politics and warned that it will have to repent in the coming days. Speaking to media on Thursday after meeting YSRCP MLA Virupakshi in a jail in Panchalingala in Kurnool district, Jagan Mohan Reddy said that law and order has deteriorated in the state. He added that it has become common in the TDP-led coalition government to name victims as accused and file false cases against them to gag the Opposition. He alleged that the TDP-led coalition government has been targeting Backward Classes, who form the YSRCP's support base. \"False cases were filed against Virupakshi and the Red Book Constitution is in full play in booking the sitting MLA, his kin and followers in fabricated cases involving 38 persons and repeating their names to make the list longer,\" Jagan Mohan Reddy said. The former Chief Minister added that police gatecrashed into the house of the YSRCP MLA, destroyed the CCTV cameras and arrested the people's representative in a nocturnal activity and slapped serious charges on him and others. \"TDP has stooped to such a level that the ruling party worker tore the robes of his wife and blamed it on the MLA to enable the police to book him under SC/ST case. The same police refused to file a case when evidence of the attack on YSRCP cadre's house was shown,\" Jagan Mohan Reddy said. According to the former Chief Minister, the YSRCP MLA had gone to the rescue of his followers after police failed to act when the party worker was being attacked and sent SOS. \"While cadre Hari was being ferried by the MLA to safety, TDP goons attacked the car, gravely injuring the MLA's brother. The state government has been targeting Backward Class leaders one after the other,\" Jagan Mohan Reddy said. \"They have arrested Seridi Apparaju and jailed him after converting a simple road accident case into a case with serious charges. They arrested Mustafa in a tobacco deal on flimsy grounds and made it a case of kidnap. They also arrested Chinthada Ravi on charges of assaulting a woman Sub-Inspector while he was helping in clearing the mob,\" he added. \"The motive has been clear to trouble the political adversaries by foisting false cases but days will not be the same and the people pursuing Red Book Constitution will have to repent in the coming days. Though we have brought in police reforms and initiated police reforms, while I went in to meet the MLA the police took my photo from an inappropriate angle in a standing posture,\" the YSRCP President said."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/YAGoGzJInk1ORKL8_jagan.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-08-13T18:30:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"jagan-andhra-govt-will-have-to-repent"}},{"node":{"tags":["NRI"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"'H-1B fee may drive American jobs abroad'"},"content":{"text":"Indian American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi has warned that a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas could force US companies to move work abroad, hurting the country’s ability to attract skilled professionals and compete globally. “You can either onshore the talent or offshore the work,” Krishnamoorthi said in an episode of the “Spill the Tea” interview series. “These companies are not going to just sit by and not do the work,” the Illinois Democrat said. Krishnamoorthi said during a discussion about barriers to legal immigration, including the $100,000 fee. The interviewer noted that Indian nationals received 71 per cent of all H-1B visas in fiscal year 2024 and asked how the policy would affect Indian Americans and US competitiveness. “I mean, it adversely affects both, right? Because, our competitiveness depends on attracting the very best talent on earth. Whether it's people from India or China or Sweden. It doesn't matter,” Krishnamoorthi said. He described the fee as a tax on workers who fill highly specialised technical positions in the US economy. “And so when you put this, what I, I call it a tax, $100,000 tax on this group of people who, by the way, fill some of the most kind of exquisite techno - technical roles in our economy and have, and, and many of whom have gone on to incubate companies, you know, employing hundreds of thousands of people, you're basically pushing these people away in the first instance, and then probably getting people here to rethink whether they should stay,” he said. Krishnamoorthi said the approach could increasingly persuade companies to transfer work to other countries. “And now, you know, that kind of, attitude means that I fear that increasingly companies here are gonna offshore the work,” he said. The congressman called for changes to the legal immigration system and an end to policies that could weaken the US economy. “And so that's why, especially in this really competitive economic landscape, we've got to fix our legal immigration system and we've got to stop, you know, these own goals, so to speak, on H1B and, you know, other legal pathways that people have used to enrich our economy,” he said. Krishnamoorthi also blamed President Donald Trump for what he described as a normalisation of hostility towards minority communities. Asked what was driving a rise in anti-Asian and anti-Indian sentiment, he replied: “It rhymes with Donald Trump.” He said Trump had played on fears of people seen as outside the mainstream and blamed them for the economic difficulties faced by others. “And I think that that has now metastasized over 10 years into almost like a normalization of hate,” he said. The H-1B programme allows US employers to hire foreign professionals for speciality occupations requiring specialised knowledge. Technology and consulting companies have traditionally been among its largest users. Krishnamoorthi has represented Illinois’ 8th Congressional District since 2017. He holds a mechanical engineering degree from Princeton University and a law degree from Harvard Law School. "},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aT_qZHNYClf9oL9c_rajakrishnamoorthi.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-08-14T04:53:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"h-1b-fee-may-drive-american-jobs-abroad"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Rani Mukerji Gets Honorary Doctorate"},"content":{"text":"Actress Rani Mukerji has added another prestigious achievement to her illustrious career. She has become the second Indian film personality after Shah Rukh Khan to be conferred an Honorary Doctor of Letters by La Trobe University. The honour recognizes her nearly three-decade contribution to Indian cinema. She was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) by Australia’s La Trobe University at a special ceremony at Federation Square as part of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2026. In a statement, Rani said, “Receiving this honorary doctorate from La Trobe University is one of the most humbling moments of my life. When I was a little girl, like everyone else, I wanted to make my family and my country proud. I did not know how to do this but I knew if I try hard enough to be good at something, my parents would be happy. Cinema became the medium to achieve this.” She outlined the creative compass that has guided her choices: “I have been a risk taker right from the start of my career! I have always chosen films that have made an impact in my heart first!! A story that’s needs to be told! A story that would inspire and empower!” The ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ actress went on to add, “I have always silently worked to represent the powerful girls and women of India through cinema that has its heart in the right place. I’m equally passionate about the work I do for those in need, those who seek urgent assistance … So, to receive this honour for doing what I feel is right is further motivating me to keep fighting the good fight.” Highlighting the broader cultural significance of the recognition, Rani mentioned, “For someone who has always believed that films can change hearts before they change minds, this recognition means more than I can possibly express. Every artist carries a responsibility beyond performance. We quietly become ambassadors of our culture.” “If my films have helped even one person understand India and its women a little better… If they have encouraged dialogue… If they have created empathy… Then I feel I have fulfilled a responsibility far greater than simply being an actor.” Accepting the honour, Mukerji dedicated the recognition to India and to audiences worldwide: “I proudly accept this honour not only as Rani Mukerji, but also as an Indian who is proud to see her culture, her cinema being celebrated here in Australia. I accept it on behalf of every Indian artist who has believed that stories can build friendships between nations. This doctorate becomes another chapter in that story. I have lived a blessed life thanks to you all. I will carry this honour with immense gratitude, profound humility and tremendous pride.” La Trobe University Chancellor The Honourable John Brumby AO said, “Rani Mukerji’s remarkable body of work has transcended entertainment to spark important conversations around social justice, equality and inclusion. Her unwavering commitment to humanitarian causes makes her an exceptional recipient of this honorary doctorate.” The university had previously honoured Shah Rukh Khan in 2019 for his contributions to cinema and philanthropy and also announced a PhD scholarship in his name."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/22Ip3879ZygrEbRk_rani.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,39,449,221&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-08-14T07:22:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"rani-mukerji-gets-honorary-doctorate"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Vishal: The more the challenges, the more I will rise!"},"content":{"text":"Actor Vishal, who turns director with his Tamil-Telugu bilingual film 'Magudam', has now penned a heartfelt post ahead of the film's release on Friday saying he will not give up no matter what. Taking to his X timeline to pen a heartfelt post of determination, ahead of the film's release, Vishal wrote, \"Yes I Will not give up. Never Ever. I am Vishal “God's child”. The more the challenges, the more I will rise because I stand to look at the mirror without hesitation and shame because I do my job with grit and determination and will power.\" Pointing out that he would always go that extra mile to fulfill his job as an actor in a bid to satisfy all his audiences worldwide whom he considers equal to God as it was they who had made him what he was today in the film industry and in the society, he wrote, \" I bring myself today in front of you all. My 35 years dream has come true,\" he wrote, referring to the fact that he had officially turned director with his film Magudam/Makutam. \"Done my job. Waiting to show you all what we all worked on for the last 14 months. Worldwide release. Bring it on. Let the shows begin. God bless,\" he wrote. For the unaware, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has cleared 'Magudam' for release with an 'U/A' certificate. The film, the shooting of which was wrapped up in June this year, was originally expected to hit screens in July. However, the makers chose to postpone the release to August 14 this year. In June this year, Vishal had taken to his X timeline to announce the completion of the film's shoot. He had said, \"And it’s a wrap !! Simultaneously post production under way ! Magudam/Makutam worldwide in theatres in July, God Bless. #Magudam #Makutam #SGF99 #DirectorVishal.\" The actor also posted a brief video clip on his timeline in which he appeared in a few of the getups he would be seen in the film. The actor said, \" From today, this character is over. Shooting has been wrapped up. Moving on! Post production in full swing.\" The makers of the film had completed filming a massive climax sequence in November last year. Taking to his X timeline, the actor, who had shared a video clip that gave glimpse of the humongous amount of work that had gone into shooting the climax, wrote, \"Climax Sequence: DONE. 17 days. Non-stop. High-voltage action. #Magudam / #Makutam enters its next phase.\" Vishal Film Factory, the production house of the actor, had released a video clip that gave a glimpse of the unit shooting the intense action sequence. The production house had also gone on to say, \"Vishal’s’ Directoral Debut movie Magudam/Makutam climax goes massive. Intense action at its peak with 100 stuntmen and 800 crew members.\" For the unaware, well known director Ravi Arasu was directing this film in its initial stages. However, a difference of opinion between director Ravi Arasu and actor Vishal resulted in Ravi Arasu opting out of the film half way through and Vishal taking over as director of the film. Vishal while confirming that he had taken over as the director of 'Magudam' had said the decision to direct this film was not made out of compulsion but out of responsibility."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aPYjTrpReVYa3d7H_vishal.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-08-14T09:25:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"vishal-the-more-the-challenges-the-more-i-will-ris"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"SC quashes criminal defamation case against RaGa"},"content":{"text":"The Supreme Court on Friday quashed the criminal defamation proceedings initiated against Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on Hindutva ideologue V.D. Savarkar.  The apex court held that the prosecution could not proceed as the Uttar Pradesh government had not given the requisite sanction to go ahead. A Bench of Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Sheel Nagu allowed his plea after noting that the criminal case lacked the particular sanction required under the law to prosecute Gandhi in the case. A Bench of the top court granted relief to the Congress leader after being informed that the mandatory approval from the Uttar Pradesh government for prosecution in the case had not been obtained. Consequently, the Court set aside the summons issued to Gandhi by a lower court. The case stems from remarks made by Rahul Gandhi during the Congress party's Bharat Jodo Yatra in Maharashtra in 2022. During one of his public addresses, Gandhi described Savarkar as a “servant of the British” and alleged that the freedom fighter “used to receive a pension from the British”. The comments had triggered controversy, with lawyer Nripendra Pandey filing a complaint before a lower court, alleging that the statements were defamatory and promoted disharmony. After examining the complaint, the lower court had found a prima facie case, issuing summons to Gandhi under Sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups) and 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) of the Indian Penal Code. However, during the proceedings before the Supreme Court, it was brought to the Court's notice that the prosecution had not secured the necessary sanction from the Uttar Pradesh government, a legal requirement for proceeding with such offences. Taking note of this procedural lapse, the apex court quashed the criminal proceedings and the summons issued against the Congress leader. The ruling marks a significant legal relief for Gandhi, who has faced multiple criminal and civil proceedings arising from his political speeches and public remarks in recent years. The Supreme Court's decision effectively brings an end to the case linked to his comments on Savarkar."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aUUbC3NYClf9ofpW_RaGaprotest.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-08-14T07:00:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"sc-quashes-criminal-defamation-case-against-raga"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"ISI Targets Railways to Stir I-Day Panic"},"content":{"text":"The Indian Railways has become the primary target for the Inter Services Intelligence-backed elements in recent months, according to an intelligence report.  While the railways has long been a favourite target of terrorists, recent developments suggest a more sinister game plan. The terror plots that have been foiled and the intelligence inputs gathered by security agencies point towards a concerted attempt to target the railway network. An Intelligence Bureau official said that the ISI has focused its espionage activities largely on the military and railways. Most of the spies reportedly deployed for the India operations have specific briefs to gather as much information as possible on both the Indian Army and railways. Indian security agencies have now noticed a significant change in the pattern. The information being sought by these elements about the railway network is currently greater than that concerning military installations. In the case of the armed forces, the ISI appears to be pursuing a long-term strategy. It is seeking to gather as much information as possible, rather than with an immediate intention of targeting military establishments. This is a more tactical exercise, aimed at ensuring that the Pakistani Army maintains an informational advantage over the Indian armed forces. The information being gathered relates to logistics and movement of the troops. However, when it comes to the railways, the primary intention is to carry out terror attacks. The Pakistani spy agency knows that the railways is the lifeline of India and disrupting this sector means spreading widespread panic and fear in the minds of the people. An official said that there is a mixed strategy with regard to the railways. “While in many cases, the idea is to gather information so that a strike can be carried out, the ISI is also attempting to play mind games. It is not necessary that the ISI-backed terrorists need to strike this sector all the time. Even a hoax alarm when it comes to the Indian railways is sufficient to create panic in the minds of the people,” the official said. Another official said that some individuals have been recruited specifically to make hoax calls. “If a hoax call or false information is circulated at a crowded railway station, it could trigger panic and eventually lead to a major stampede, resulting in loss of several lives,” the official added. Officials said the ISI has not limited its directives to Islamist outfits to target railway stations. It has also instructed cadres of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) to carry out similar attacks, indicating a broader effort to exploit multiple terror networks for targeting the railway infrastructure. While the brief for the BKI is to strike at railway stations in Punjab and Haryana, in the case of the rest of the outfits the focus is on Delhi, Mumbai and other major cities. The ISI has allegedly been working on its railways plan for the last year. In fact, surveillance of the railway sector has increased ten-fold over the past year. The Pakistani spy agency has stepped up recruitment as part of its efforts to target railway infrastructure. In the first phase of the operation, the recruits moved around railway stations, photographed key areas, assessed security arrangements and passed the information to their handlers. Investigations have revealed that some of these recruits were willing to carry out the assignments for as little as Rs 3,000. The ISI later escalated its surveillance efforts by instructing recruits to install solar-powered closed-circuit television cameras at railway stations. These cameras enabled them to obtain live feeds of activity at the stations. Recent investigations have shown that recruits involved in installing the cameras were paid between Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000 for each camera. Meanwhile, the Intelligence Bureau has issued a high alert and said that the ISI-backed modules would try to target railway infrastructure in Delhi and the surrounding areas. Security is already tight ahead of India’s Independence Day owing to the multiple threat assessments by the agencies. The terror groups would look to carry out a major hit on railway infrastructure during this period as the security mechanism would be more focused on guarding the Independence Day events in Delhi, the officials say."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/be111bdb-d20f-49c1-a19c-a118f1abe53f_trains.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-08-14T08:08:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"isi-targets-railways-to-stir-i-day-panic"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Jr NTR discharged after shoulder surgery"},"content":{"text":"Actor Jr NTR was discharged on Thursday from the hospital after undergoing arthroscopic surgery following a shoulder injury sustained during a recent film shoot. According to a health bulletin from KIMS Hospitals, Secunderabad, the actor was discharged after a successful procedure led by R. A. Purnachandra Tejswi and Nithin Bejjanki. Bhaskar Rao, Chairman and Managing Director of KIMS Hospitals, wished Jr NTR a speedy recovery. The bulletin said he is doing well and will now begin a structured rehabilitation programme under medical supervision for a full recovery. The procedure was successfully performed on Wednesday by a team of orthopaedic surgeons. The hospital had earlier stated Jr NTR had suffered an unfortunate injury to his shoulder and, after close consultation and follow‑up care with specialists, it was determined that arthroscopic surgery would facilitate a quicker and more complete recovery. Doctors anticipate a full recovery within two to three months. Jr NTR expressed gratitude on social media, saying he was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and prayers from fans. “The surgery was successful, and I’m doing well. My heartfelt gratitude to the amazing team of doctors at KIMS. To my friends, family and fans; your support gives me strength every single day. See you soon,” he posted on X. The actor sustained the injury on July 27 while shooting for Dragon. His team had announced that he was advised to take complete rest for six to eight weeks. Prominent personalities from the film industry, along with fans and well‑wishers, had wished him a speedy recovery. Following the injury, the Dragon team postponed its Sri Lankan shooting schedule. Directed by Prashanth Neel, the film stars Jr NTR and Rukmini Vasanth in the lead. It also features Anil Kapoor, Biju Menon and Ashutosh Rana in key roles. Despite the postponement, the team remains confident of releasing the film on June 11, 2027, as announced earlier."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/vTXPV9-1ku608pfb_jrntr.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-08-13T12:11:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"jr-ntr-discharged-after-shoulder-surgery"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Kamal Haasan: Cinema’s Oldest Gen Z"},"content":{"text":"Veteran actor Kamal Haasan has marked 67 years in cinema and reflected on his extraordinary journey in the film industry. Despite decades of experience, the ‘Indian’ actor described himself as the “oldest of Gen Z in cinema,” highlighting his continued desire to learn, evolve and keep pace with the changing world of filmmaking. Taking to X, (formerly known as Twitter) Kamal shared his thoughts on completing 67 years in cinema and reflected on his remarkable journey in the film industry. Haasan said that while he has spent 67 years in the film industry, he considers only around 20 of those years as his actual learning period. With his characteristic wit and philosophical outlook, he described the rest of his journey as simply “going with the flow.” The actor also reflected on the larger journey of cinema. He noted that the film industry has existed for around 130 years since the Lumière brothers’ first public film screening in December 1895. His team reminded him that he has been part of more than half of that history. The ‘Vikram’ actor wrote, “Thanks to all who wished me well on my 67 years of cinema. Out of those 67, I think I can only salvage about 20 years as my actual learning. The rest was going with the flow of the wastewater. The uplifting hope is, however dark the waterway turns out to be, the wait for a confluence with the largest singular form called the collective cinema, an unchannelled sea. We are all flowing towards it - artists, audience, and all.” “So, I guess what I have salvaged as experience can be improved upon before people stop counting my years in this field and start looking for better numbers elsewhere. Since the Lumière brothers’ first public film screening in December 1895, the film industry has been around for approximately 130 years and 8 months.”  “My team reminded me that I have been around for 67 of those years, more than half of the entire history of the film industry! That is a rather extraordinary thought to take in. Yet, in my own account, I can claim only about 20 years as actual learning. I am probably the oldest of the Gen Z in cinema,” he added. Kamal Haasan began his remarkable journey in cinema as a child artist. At just six years old, he won the Rashtrapati Award, also known as the President’s Gold Medal, for his performance in “Kalathur Kannamma.” He went on to appear in five more films as a child before making his debut in Malayalam cinema with “Kannum Karalum” in 1962. Over the course of his illustrious career, Haasan has acted in more than 230 films across several Indian languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi, Kannada and Bengali."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/b9e04ef2-60fa-4ef8-ac07-f31ca909880a_Kamal+Haasan.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-08-13T10:55:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"kamal-haasan-cinemas-oldest-gen-z"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Rashmika Fears Burnout Hustle"},"content":{"text":"Actress Rashmika Mandanna is presently recovering from a hip bone injury, spending all her time at home in forever.  In her recent post on social media, the 'Animal' actress admitted that previously, when she was hustling at the time, ‘slowing down’ looked scary to her, but now that her injury has forced her to slow down, she has started finding hustling extremely scary. She also uploaded a couple of pictures, giving an insight into what her day at home with her loved ones looks like. Rashmika's Insta post read, \"My days always look like this if ever I am just home for this long..It’s amazing how when you are hustling your days away the other side which is ‘slowing down’ seems scary but when you are pushed into ‘slowing down’ - the hustling like a crazy person now seems scary.. maybe that’s what is life..(sic).\" The 'Pushpa' actress concluded the post on a thankful note, saying, \"Being engulfed in so much love and surrounded with so much positivity prayers and gratitude.\" Before this, Rashmika shared with her Insta Family her recovery routine that included sleeping, eating, and playing with her fur baby Aura. 'The Girlfriend' actress had penned, \"My days are going well.. with a lot of sleeping and recovery, puzzles and some reading and watching some shows doing some very much needed hair care and skin care.. and meetings and spending time with family!!\" \"Going through the wedding photos and videos cz I hadn’t gotten the proper time till now.. My routine is pretty much wake up, and no more to alarms (yaaay) just wake up when my body tells me to.. eat 2 meals a day to really really try and not go overboard with the eating meetings puzzles or reading with Aura when she’s able to..*watch a show *and then go to bed.. It’s actually not all that bad to slow down once in a while is it!,\" added Rashmika."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aJMx4qTt2nPbZ5bz_rashmikamandana.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-08-13T12:33:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"rashmika-fears-burnout-hustle"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"CBN: Amaravati will be developed as Deep Tech capital"},"content":{"text":"Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, on Thursday said that Amaravati will be developed into a Deep Tech capital.  He announced that the Andhra Pradesh capital will be transformed into a hub for Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing Reiterating that Amaravati will emerge as one of the top five cities in the world, he said it would be a completely pollution-free city. The Chief Minister was speaking at a public meeting after inaugurating Seed Access Road and steel bridges in Amaravati. He inaugurated the 'Seed Access Road E-3', a major thoroughfare connecting to the capital city, Amaravati. He also unveiled a plaque at Undavalli to mark the inauguration of the steel bridges that form part of the Seed Access Road network. The Seed Access Road has been constructed at a total cost of ₹1,519 crore. It has been developed with the primary objective of providing better road connectivity between Amaravati and the Mangalagiri and Vijayawada regions, while also reducing traffic congestion on the Karakatta (river embankment) road. He stated that the Seed Access Roads in the capital city are being constructed following the planning principles of the Indus Valley Civilisation. “This is merely the beginning of the city's construction. In the third phase, the Seed Access Road will connect to the National Highway at Tadepalli.” He also stated that the Centre has also sanctioned a 190-km Outer Ring Road and a 96-km Inner Ring Road. CM Naidu was confident that by 2028, Amaravati will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Stating that Amaravati is now unstoppable, he alleged that some individuals attempted to obstruct the construction of the capital's roads. “Such individuals pose a significant risk to the state. However, we are setting concrete goals for the state's development.” Chandrababu Naidu recalled that Cyberabad was built in the united Andhra Pradesh in a way that made the Telugu people proud. He stated that Andhra Pradesh suffered losses following the bifurcation as it was left without a capital city. The Chief Minister stated that since Guntur district is centrally located among the 25 parliamentary constituencies, he resolved to establish the capital here. “After extensive discussions, farmers came forward to support the capital's construction, placing their trust in us. I bow in reverence to all the farmers who sacrificed their lands for the state capital,” he said. He pointed out that the municipal corporations of Amaravati, Mangalagiri, Tadepalli, Guntur, and Vijayawada will all fall within the capital region. Stating that Singapore extended full cooperation for the Amaravati master plan, he accused the previous government of YSR Congress for allegedly ‘harassing’ a partner like Singapore. “We commissioned designs from London-based Norman Foster to ensure the government complex buildings would be unique. Some people mocked the plans, dismissing them as mere 'graphics'. Now that those graphics are becoming reality, those who ridiculed them ought to hang their heads in shame.” Targeting former Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, he remarked that the very person who once stated in the Assembly that 40,000 acres were needed for the capital later went back on his word, and instead proposed \"three capitals\"."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/2l0HV1W9duOYdZtJ_CBN.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-08-13T11:30:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"cbn-amaravati-will-be-developed-as-deep-tech-capit"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Sukhbir Singh Badal injured in attack"},"content":{"text":"Shiromani Akali Dal chief and former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was injured in an attack at a gurudwara in Maharashtra's Nanded on Thursday.  According to preliminary information, the incident took place when Badal visited the Mata Sahib Gurdwara in the Hazur Sahib area on the outskirts of the city at around 11 a.m. The Akali Dal chief was attacked by a Nihang armed with a kirpan, sources said, adding that the assailant has been taken into custody by the police. According to sources, the attacker allegedly attempted to stab Badal in the stomach. However, security personnel intervened in time and prevented the attacker from causing more serious injuries. A video recorded after the incident showed Badal walking with a saffron cloth wrapped around his right hand. Following the attack, Badal was rushed to a private hospital in Nanded for treatment. A security personnel deployed for his protection was also injured while trying to prevent the assault. Earlier in the day, he had visited Takht Sri Hazur Sahib in Nanded along with his family. His wife and Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal was present when the attack occurred. Maharashtra Police confirmed to media that the attack took place inside the gurdwara premises. A senior police official stated that Badal sustained an injury to his hand. Preliminary reports indicate that he may have suffered injuries to other areas as well. Officials said that Badal's injuries are not life-threatening. He has received stitches on his hand and is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Nanded. Inspector Santosh Kendre, who was deployed on special security duty, was also injured during the attack. Police have confirmed that one attacker has been detained and further investigation is underway. Badal had arrived in Nanded from Punjab. This is not the first attack on the Akali Dal leader. On December 4, 2024, he survived an assassination attempt outside the Golden Temple in Amritsar. He escaped unharmed, while the gunman was quickly overpowered and arrested. At the time, Badal was performing 'sewadar' duties at the Golden Temple after the Akal Takht had pronounced 'tankhah' (religious punishment) on him and several other Akali Dal leaders for alleged mistakes committed during the party's rule in Punjab between 2007 and 2017."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/nUpuAC8PmSWZ94gZ_badal.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-08-13T10:29:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"sukhbir-singh-badal-injured-in-attack"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Jail Treatment To Jagan Sparks Political Row!"},"content":{"text":"YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has accused the Andhra Pradesh government of deliberately humiliating him during his visit to Kurnool district jail. The YSRCP chief had gone to meet party MLA Virupakshi and claimed that, unlike visitors who are normally taken inside and photographed, he was allegedly made to stand outside the jail grills while his photograph was taken. Calling the incident disrespectful, Jagan said he was particularly disturbed by the treatment because he had previously served as the state’s Chief Minister. Jagan said he questioned jail officials about the unusual procedure and was told that the instructions had come from higher authorities. He contrasted the episode with the system introduced during his tenure, claiming that police stations under his government were designed to be more accessible and respectful toward ordinary citizens. According to him, the manner in which he was treated reflected what he described as an attempt to deliberately insult him. After walking out of the jail, Jagan strongly criticised Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and warned against establishing what he called a dangerous political precedent. He said governments do not remain in power forever and cautioned that actions taken today could eventually have consequences for those responsible. Jagan also pointed out that two years of the current government had already passed, with three more years still remaining, signalling that the political confrontation between the ruling coalition and the YSRCP is likely to continue."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/ZUPKlja0hMLsW0GH_jagan.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-08-13T14:04:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"jail-treatment-to-jagan-sparks-political-row"}},{"node":{"tags":["NRI"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Indian teen murders mother, brother in US home"},"content":{"text":"A 17-year-old Indian-American boy in Acton, a town about 40 kilometres northwest of Boston, has been charged with murdering his mother and younger brother after investigators said he had used the Internet and ChatGPT to search for ideas or fantasies about killing his family.  Arjun Aravind, an Indian-origin teenager, faces two counts of murder in the deaths of his mother, Sudha Venkatesan, 45, and his brother, Siddharth Aravind, 14, the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office said. He has also been charged with two counts each of assault and battery on a household or family member and assault and battery. Other charges include theft of a motor vehicle and use of a vehicle without authority. Police went to the family’s home on Martha Lane shortly after 6.37 p.m. on Tuesday. Arjun’s father had called after being unable to reach his family. A tutor who was expected at the house had also been unable to contact anyone inside. The father had last spoken with his wife early that morning before leaving for work. Siddharth was last seen around noon. Officers found Siddharth on the first floor and Venkatesan in the finished basement. Both had suffered visible trauma. Arjun was missing from the home. His mother’s green 2014 Honda Accord was also gone. Police alerted other law enforcement agencies and asked the public to look for the teenager and the vehicle. Residents were warned not to approach him. Early Wednesday, police in Wayland responded to an unrelated alarm in a parking lot on Andrew Avenue. Officers found the missing car with Arjun inside. He was taken into custody without incident. “The subsequent investigation indicates that Arjun had recently been demonstrating concerning behaviour, including using the Internet and ChatGPT, to make searches for theoretical ideas or fantasies regarding killing his family,” the district attorney’s office said. Prosecutors alleged that Arjun fatally assaulted his mother and brother inside their home before fleeing in his mother’s car. Authorities have not said what weapon or weapons may have been used. That part of the investigation remains active. The precise cause and manner of the two deaths are also awaiting a determination by the chief medical examiner. Arjun was arraigned in Lowell Juvenile Court on Wednesday on the motor vehicle-related charges. Prosecutors said the murder and related assault charges would probably be brought in Concord District Court because the Juvenile Court does not have jurisdiction over murder charges. The investigation is being conducted by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Acton Police and the Massachusetts State Police detective unit assigned to the prosecutor’s office. Police departments from eight nearby communities also assisted. Acton is a suburban community in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, and forms part of the Greater Boston region. The town is served by the Acton-Boxborough Regional School District. Massachusetts law provides for an accused person aged 14 or older to be prosecuted as an adult when charged with murder. Other charges involving a juvenile may remain within the state’s juvenile court system."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/WHJobWcRy5vjwpee_usindianteen.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-08-13T03:33:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"indian-teen-murders-mother-brother-in-us-home"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Dulquer’s Game Gets Pushed"},"content":{"text":"Malayalam star Dulquer Salmaan, who plays the lead in director Nahas Hidhayath's eagery awaited action entertainer 'I'm Game', on Thursday announced that the film's release had now been pushed to September 3.  For the unaware, the film was originally scheduled to hit screens worldwide on August 20 this year.  In his statement announcing the postponement of the film's release date, Dulquer Salmaan acknowledged the anticipation around the film and stated that the decision to opt for a new release date came with a larger vision for the film.  He said, \"The game gets bigger. The release gets wider. We understand the anticipation and we apologize for the delay, but #imgame will now release worldwide on 3rd September, moving from its earlier release date of 20th August.\" The actor went on to say, \"The new release date comes with a larger vision for the film as #imgame gears up for a wider theatrical release across markets. The film will now simultaneously release in multiple languages-Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, and Kannada taking the experience to audiences across the country and beyond.\" He ended the statement saying, \"This decision has been made to give #imgame the scale, reach, and theatrical platform it truly deserves, allowing audiences across different markets to experience it on the big screen. The wait gets a little longer, But the game gets bigger!\" Directed by Nahas Hidhayath, 'I'm Game' has been mounted on an ambitious scale and will mark Dulquer Salmaan’s return to Malayalam cinema. The film completed an extensive 11-month shooting schedule spanning 156 days, with filming taking place across more than 100 locations in South India.  The film features an ensemble cast including Antony Varghese, Mysskin, Kayadu Lohar, Kathir, Parth Tiwari and Samyuktha Viswanathan. Jakes Bejoy has composed the music, while the action sequences have been choreographed by Anbariv Masters. The film has been produced by Dulquer Salmaan and Jom Varghese under Wayfarer Films. "},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/a2Q6hqgxXf-05h1z_tghegame.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-08-13T05:54:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"dulquers-game-gets-pushed"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"'Heritage’ land auction in Raidurg sparks controversy "},"content":{"text":"Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Deputy Leader in Telangana State Legislative Assembly, T. Harish Rao, on Thursday demanded an immediate halt to the proposed auction of 10.63 acres of alleged 'heritage’ land in Raidurg, a prime location in Hyderabad’s IT corridor.  The former minister alleged conspiracies to sell off lands in various locations—such as Gachibowli, Lagacharla, the Maulana Azad National Urdu University area, and Raidurg. He alleged that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, who once delivered fiery speeches proclaiming government lands to be national assets bequeathed by predecessors, was now auctioning off land and putting public assets up for sale. From Hyderabad Central University’s environmental lands to Raidurg’s heritage rock lands, Telangana’s precious public assets are being put at risk, alleged Harish Rao. Condemning the move by Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC) to auction 10.63 acres of 'heritage' land in Raidurg Panmaktha village on August 17 and 21, he wrote a letter to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy urging him to stop the auction. He pointed out that survey No. 83 has been declared a heritage site, while competing ownership claims involving SBI and Waqf rights are already under legal scrutiny. The Supreme Court has also stressed the need to prevent the creation of third party interests while such disputes remain unresolved. Harish Rao recalled that in 2020 Revanth Reddy had approached the courts seeking protection for these Raidurg lands. “After becoming Chief Minister, how can you now allow an auction that could create third-party rights over disputed property?,” he asked. “The government must establish lawful ownership and protect this heritage precinct. No auction should be permitted until the title and legal status of the land are conclusively determined. I urge you to immediately stop the proposed auctions and protect these lands for future generations,” said Harish Rao. The BRS leader wrote that proceeding with the auction in the face of such disputes would likely create irreversible third-party interests, undermining public confidence like in the case of recently stirred SBI controversy in the same survey number. He said 6.2 acres were already auctioned for around Rs 237 crore per acre following which the SBI asserted ownership rights and the matter is currently pending before the Telangana High Court. “Against this backdrop, proceeding with the auction of another 10.63 acres from the same disputed survey number divided into two plots of 5.25 and 5.38 acres, while ownership of the earlier parcel remains sub judice, raises serious questions of propriety, due diligence and administrative prudence,” wrote the former minister. Harish Rao demanded a halt to sale, transfer, registration and development activity on the disputed land until ownership is legally determined. He also demanded the preservation and investigation of any missing, misplaced or tampered records relating to heritage property, review of the earlier auction of 6.2 acres including the SBI's ownership claim and the pending High Court proceedings and an appropriate independent investigation into the reported disappearance or misplacement of Waqf records."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/LqoyLAxXzPgJ78na_raidurgland.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-08-13T07:55:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"heritage-land-auction-in-raidurg-sparks-controvers"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Interesting update from 'Dharman'"},"content":{"text":"The makers of director Ashwath Marimuthu's eagerly awaited action entertainer 'Dharman', featuring Tamil superstar Rajinikanth in the lead, on Thursday officially announced that the unit of the film had now commenced its second schedule of shooting.  Raaj Kamal Films International, the production house of veteran actor and parliamentarian Kamal Haasan, took to its social media timelines to drop the update with a video clip.  It wrote, \"The deadly doctor. #Dharman Schedule 2 Begins, and this one's legendary. #KettaPaiyanSir. #SuperstarRajinikanth #KamalHaasan.\" The video clip that the production house shared on Thursday showed Rajinikanth on the sets of the film and Ashwath Marimuthu in conversation with the star. The film has triggered huge excitement among fans ever since the makers announced the project. In June this year, the makers had dropped a making video that showed how the team had arrived at Superstar Rajinikanth's look in the film. Taking to his X timeline, director Ashwath Marimuthu shared a brand new poster of Rajinikanth from the film and wrote, \"We heard you !! Ithan hair styleu (This is the hair style)!! Ithan looku (This is the look)! $exy work @kabilanchelliah.\" Earlier, Raaj Kamal Films International, the production house of actor Kamal Haasan which is producing this film, shared a glimpse video and wrote, \"THE OG SWAG. #Dharman. The Making of the First Look.\" The video featured a shot of the accessories that were kept for Rajini to choose from. It also showed director Aswath showing the exact pose in which he wanted the Superstar to stand. The video also showed Kamal Haasan accompanying Rajinikanth and the two legends of Tamil cinema exchanging pleasantries. For the unaware, Rajinikanth plays a doctor who takes on criminals in Dharman. Actor, producer and parliamentarian Kamal Haasan, while announcing the title of the film, had said, \"Dharmame vellum! (Only Dharma will win) #Dharman #Thalaivar173 #SuperstarRajinikanth @rajinikanth #Mahendran @Dir_Ashwath @anirudhofficial @anbariv @RKFI @turmericmediaTM @magizhmandram.\" The title poster of the film that was released on the occasion showed Rajinikanth in an operation theatre in a hospital holding a scalpel, even as he seemed to have one leg placed over the body of a slain rowdy sheeter. The film is to have music by Anirudh. Cinematography for the film is by Niketh Bommi and editing will be by Pradeep E Raghav. Stunts in the film are being choreographed by National Award winning duo Anbariv. The film is being produced by Kamal Haasan and R Mahendran and co-produced by S Disney."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/YxFJI5UxWyEIh9sj_dharman.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-08-13T04:19:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"interesting-update-from-dharman"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Anupam Kher celebrates his ‘tiny new muscles’"},"content":{"text":"Veteran actor Anupam Kher took to social media to share a glimpse of his workout session at the gym. In the video, the ‘Special 26’ actor can be seen performing core and back exercises as he stays committed to his fitness routine. Taking to Instagram, Anupam posted his video where he is seen lifting weights and performing exercises focused on strengthening his core and back. Sharing his workout video, Kher expressed his happiness over seeing the results of his consistent efforts. He wrote, “The joy of seeing tiny new muscles mushrooming! For me, working out is meditation!! A small triumph of the human spirit. Any age. Any stage. Jai Ho! #WorkOut #Exercise.” Adding a spiritual touch to the fitness post, the 71-year-old actor used “Jata Tavi Galajjala Pravaha Pavitasthale” from the Shiva Tandava Stotram, with the rendition sung by Shankar Mahadevan. Earlier in April, Anupam Kher proved that age is just a number as he was seen indulging in an intense workout session. He shared a glimpse of his gym routine, revealing how working out not only “strengthens his body but also helps centre his mind.” In the video, Kher was seen performing a lat pulldown exercise, a strength-training movement that primarily targets the back muscles. The ‘Tanvi the Great’ actor had written, “Working out doesn’t just strengthen my body, it centers my mind. It gives me a sense of peace, a sharper focus, and a quiet discipline that stays with me long after the session is over. And putting it out there… sharing my workout videos publicly… adds another layer. It keeps me accountable. It pushes me to show up, even on days when I don’t feel like it.” Anupam added, “Because sometimes, commitment is not just personal… it becomes a promise you make in front of the world. Jai Ho! Jai Bajrang Bali! Jai Bholenath! #WorkingOut #Commitment #SelfLove.”"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/S6rmGbZkb-i9Noy1_anupamkher.JPG?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C31%2C449%2C221&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-08-13T05:02:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"anupam-kher-celebrates-his-tiny-new-muscles"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Democrats move to block Trump green card rule"},"content":{"text":"Democratic lawmakers have introduced legislation to block federal funds from being used to enforce a Trump administration rule that could make it harder for immigrants who use certain public benefits to obtain green cards.  The bicameral Protect American Values Act was introduced on Wednesday by Senators Michael Bennet and Mazie Hirono and Congresswoman Judy Chu. The administration’s “public charge” rule is scheduled to take effect on September 18. The finalised rule rescinds a 2022 Biden administration policy. That policy said non-cash benefits, including food assistance under SNAP, Medicaid and housing aid, could not be considered in public charge decisions. The public charge test allows immigration authorities to assess whether an applicant is likely to become primarily dependent on government support. Such a finding may be used to deny admission to the United States or adjustment to lawful permanent resident status. The new rule does not provide clear guidance on which public benefits may be considered, according to the lawmakers. They said it could give immigration officers broad discretion in reviewing green card applications. “This rule isn’t about securing our borders or more efficient spending; its purpose is to punish immigrants who only seek to make a better life for themselves and their families,” Bennet said. “The Protect American Values Act sends a clear message that, as a nation, we will continue to stand up for our communities and fight this Administration’s inhumane efforts,” he added. Chu said the policy was broader than the public charge rule imposed during Trump’s first term. “Unlike the previous rule, this finalised policy does not even identify which benefits will be considered in a public charge test, giving Trump’s immigration officers sweeping discretion to deny green card applications based on subjective judgment instead of clear legal standards,” she said. The lawmakers warned that the uncertainty could deter eligible immigrants from using government assistance. They said it could also affect US citizens and lawful permanent residents living in mixed-status families. Senator Tim Kaine said most noncitizens were already ineligible for public benefits. He argued that the rule could allow officials to consider the use of benefits by an immigrant applicant’s US citizen children or other relatives. “We don’t have to imagine the negative consequences this policy will have on the health and well-being of our communities, because when President Trump previously instituted a similar policy, it led to widespread avoidance of medical care and other important programs, including among US citizen children,” Kaine said. Senator Tammy Duckworth said no one should be forced to choose between immigration status and basic needs. “Nobody should have to choose between receiving citizenship or going hungry,” she said. The legislation is backed by 17 other senators and dozens of House members. Indian American lawmakers Pramila Jayapal and Raja Krishnamoorthi are among its House co-sponsors. The measure would prohibit federal money from being used to implement, administer or enforce the rule. Public charge provisions have long existed in US immigration law. Their interpretation, however, has shifted between administrations, particularly over whether non-cash health, nutrition and housing benefits should influence immigration decisions. Trump adopted a broader public charge policy during his first term. The Biden administration later restored a narrower standard in 2022, excluding several non-cash benefits from consideration. The latest rule again places the issue at the centre of the US immigration debate."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/Z489GJbqstJ99qfM_trumpcitizenship.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-08-13T03:27:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"democrats-move-to-block-trump-green-card-rule"}},{"node":{"tags":["politics"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Red Fort Blast: UN Confirms Al-Qaida Link"},"content":{"text":"A terrorism monitoring team of the Security Council has declared the deadly Red Fort suicide car bombing that killed 11 people the work of Al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), which it warned is spreading its tentacles across the region.  The report by the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team on terrorism to the Security Council said the attack last November “was officially attributed to AQIS”. It warned that AQIS is emerging as a decentralised terrorist organisation from a disparate group. AQIS “continued to evolve from a fragmented group into a regional terrorist entity; it established logistics and financial networks, working in decentralised small, scattered cells instead of large units”, the report said. It means that in a country like India where there is no scope for war-like operations, AQIS is adopting a tactic of urban guerrilla-like tactics. The report also expressed concern that AQIS is “trying to exploit Bangladesh to establish cells there”. Against this backdrop, the team warned that terrorist threats “intensified” in South Asia. After the democratically elected Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was forced into exile by an uprising in which Islamist elements played a leading role, fears have mounted over terrorist groups finding a fertile ground there. AQIS was founded in 2014 by Al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri. The team that produced the report helps the Security Council’s sanctions committees for Al-Qaida and the Islamic State (known in short as the 1267 Committee after the resolution setting it up), and for the Taliban. Based in New York, it comprises ten experts who track global terrorism threats from those groups and their affiliates and provide periodic reports and updates to help the committees decide on groups and individuals to be sanctioned for terrorism. The 1267 Committee does not have a chair because Pakistan wants to lead it and some members of the Council have reservations because of Islamabad’s links to some groups sanctioned by the panel, leading to a stand-off. In the absence of a chair, the team’s coordinator, Colin Smith, sent it directly to the Council's president in the last days of Colombia’s tenure in the chair for June. It languished through July under the Democratic Republic of Congo’s presidency and was released recently by Denmark’s Permanent Representative Christina Markus Lassen, who assumed the rotating presidency for this month. An earlier report by the team released in February said Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) “was reported to be linked to an attack on the Red Fort”, and the new report appears to directly pin the blame on AQIS. According to the 1267 Committee, JeM \"has had close ties\" with Al-Qaida. The Red Fort attack set a new pattern of highly qualified professionals getting involved directly in terrorism in India, as seen in the arrest of at least four doctors who were charged with involvement in the terror attack. The suicide-bomber, who drove the explosive-laden car, was Umar-un-Nabi, an assistant professor of general medicine at a university in Faridabad. The report included Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) attacks in Pakistan, and it said that it was restructuring and creating a new division for Kashmir and the division of Gilgit, which is under Pakistani occupation. "},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/j4_c2LDyeSNWf6kI_redfortblast.JPG?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C234%2C450%2C222&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-08-13T06:30:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"red-fort-blast-un-confirms-al-qaida-link"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Supreme Court Relief for Dil Raju"},"content":{"text":"Producer Dil Raju has received a major legal reprieve from the Supreme Court in the long-running copyright dispute surrounding Prabhas’ 2011 blockbuster Mr. Perfect. The apex court rejected writer Mummoodi Shyamala Rani’s plea seeking to revive the trial court proceedings against the producer. With the earlier stay protected, the trial court case will remain suspended, giving Dil Raju significant relief in the matter. The dispute stems from Shyamala Rani’s allegation that the film’s storyline was based on her work and was used without her consent or proper credit. She had initiated legal proceedings against Dil Raju and others, alleging copyright infringement and related criminal violations. The matter subsequently moved through different courts, with Dil Raju seeking relief and the proceedings eventually being stayed. Challenging the stay, Shyamala Rani approached the Supreme Court and requested that the trial proceedings be resumed, also citing her age and seeking an expedited hearing. However, the court declined to interfere with the existing order and dismissed her plea. The decision keeps the proceedings on hold and marks another favourable development for Dil Raju in the years-old copyright battle."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/Z2r4spbqstJ980e7_dilraju.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-08-13T07:20:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"supreme-court-relief-for-dil-raju"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Shakeela’s Phone Habit Ends in Surgery"},"content":{"text":"Senior actress Shakeela has opened up about a painful health setback that she believes was linked to excessive smartphone use. She revealed that spending long hours lying in awkward positions while scrolling through Instagram and YouTube reels, playing games and remaining glued to her phone eventually led to a serious nerve-related problem in her neck. What began as a daily habit reportedly turned into a condition severe enough to require emergency neck surgery. Shakeela said she would often spend most of the day on her phone, taking only brief breaks for tea or coffee before returning to the screen. The actress said the consequences have been physically and financially distressing, with the surgery reportedly costing around ₹3 lakh. She described the recovery period as extremely difficult and said she currently needs assistance even for basic activities such as getting out of bed and eating. Turning her personal experience into a cautionary message, Shakeela urged people to cut down their screen time and avoid using smartphones excessively, particularly while lying in unhealthy postures for extended periods. She also appealed to parents to limit children’s dependence on smartphones and other gadgets, warning that unchecked screen habits could contribute to serious health problems later in life."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/gu3M7-9GAG7w7ROR_shakeela.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-08-13T08:01:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"shakeelas-phone-habit-ends-in-surgery"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Janhvi battles digital defamation in court"},"content":{"text":"In a significant legal move, Bollywood actress Janhvi Kapoor has sought the intervention of the Delhi High Court to safeguard her personality rights amid a disturbing rise in deepfake content and impersonation accounts. Kapoor's petition addresses the proliferation of objectionable materials that exploit her image and likeness without consent. Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani, presiding over the case, signaled a willingness to issue an immediate order for the removal of explicitly obscene content, underscoring the judiciary's proactive stance on protecting individual rights in the digital age. As the court session unfolded, the complexity of the situation emerged, particularly regarding the nature of fan pages and social media accounts linked to Kapoor. Justice Bhambhani raised critical questions about the feasibility of imposing blanket restrictions on these platforms, drawing attention to the delicate balance between a celebrity's right to protect their image and the fundamental principles of free speech and legitimate criticism. Kapoor's counsel, Advocate Asav Rajan, emphasized the gravity of the situation, citing numerous instances of sexualized content and fake profiles that misrepresent the actor, thus raising issues of both personal and commercial exploitation. This case occurs against the backdrop of escalating concerns over digital impersonation and the misuse of artificial intelligence technologies to create misleading content. The rise of deepfakes—hyper-realistic video or audio fabrications generated by AI—poses an increasing threat not only to personal reputations but also to public trust in media. Kapoor's legal team has presented over 4,000 URLs containing contentious material, illustrating the magnitude of the digital landscape's exploitation of her persona. Legal experts suggest that the outcome of this case could set precedent for how celebrity rights are interpreted and enforced in the context of rapidly evolving digital technologies. The court's deliberations now hinge on categorizing the disputed content to determine the appropriate legal remedies. Advocate Varun Pathak, representing Meta platforms, acknowledged certain materials as objectionable, yet argued against a sweeping classification of all fan-generated content. The court’s cautious approach, as articulated by Justice Bhambhani, highlights concerns that an expansive interpretation of personality rights could inadvertently stifle free expression and artistic critique, emphasizing the need for a nuanced legal framework to navigate these complex digital dilemmas."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aigrRAeQX7-eXEsC_janhvi.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-08-12T11:06:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"janhvi-battles-digital-defamation-in-court"}}]},"featured":{"edges":[{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Venkatesh’s New Army Avatar"},"content":{"text":"The makers of director Anil Ravipudi's eagerly awaited entertainer, featuring actors Venkatesh and Anil Ravipudi in the lead, on Friday released the first look of actor Venkatesh as Lt. Colonel Venkat Reddy in the film on the occasion of the star completing 40 glorious years in the film industry.  After having unveiled Kalyan Ram’s look in the film on the occasion of his birthday, the makers on Friday unveiled the first look of Venkatesh, on the occasion of the star completing 40 glorious years in the industry.  The poster shows Venkatesh in an Indian Army camouflage uniform, sporting sunglasses and a scarf, standing beside a rugged SUV. His composed stance and intense styling establish the image of a strict military officer. The poster identifies Venkatesh as Lt. Colonel Venkat Reddy, serving in the Indian Army and specialising in counter-terrorism and hostage negotiation. The Army insignia and crossed-swords emblem in the backdrop reinforce the military setting. The muted blue-green sky, rocky terrain and imposing vehicle create a gritty, adventurous and patriotic atmosphere, while the earthy camouflage tones complement the rugged landscape.  The combination of Venkatesh and Kalyan Ram is expected to be a major attraction, as their contrasting personalities and lively camaraderie are set to bring an exciting dimension to Anil Ravipudi’s trademark brand of entertainment. Produced by Sahu Garapati under the Shine Screens banner, the film is being presented by Suresh Productions Archana, and Zee Studios. Sources say that work on the much-awaited film was progressing at a brisk pace and that the prestigious project was shaping up as a grand-scale entertainer. Keerthy Suresh stars opposite Venkatesh in the film, while Krithi Shetty is paired with Kalyan Ram. The film brings together an accomplished technical team, with GV Prakash Kumar composing its music, Sameer Reddy handling cinematography, Tammiraju taking care of the editing, and AS Prakash designing the production. S Krishna serves as the executive producer. Built on a lavish canvas and packed with humour, emotions, family drama and celebratory entertainment, #VenkyAnil5 / #NKRAR2 is being positioned as a wholesome festive entertainer. The film is slated to hit screens for Sankranthi next year."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/thYsRcmSEC9aHTCG_venkyanil.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-08-14T12:48:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"venkateshs-new-army-avatar"}}]},"politics":{"edges":[{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Jagan: Andhra govt will have to repent"},"content":{"text":"Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) President Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has accused the Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led coalition government led by the Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of pursuing its vindictive politics and warned that it will have to repent in the coming days. Speaking to media on Thursday after meeting YSRCP MLA Virupakshi in a jail in Panchalingala in Kurnool district, Jagan Mohan Reddy said that law and order has deteriorated in the state. He added that it has become common in the TDP-led coalition government to name victims as accused and file false cases against them to gag the Opposition. He alleged that the TDP-led coalition government has been targeting Backward Classes, who form the YSRCP's support base. \"False cases were filed against Virupakshi and the Red Book Constitution is in full play in booking the sitting MLA, his kin and followers in fabricated cases involving 38 persons and repeating their names to make the list longer,\" Jagan Mohan Reddy said. The former Chief Minister added that police gatecrashed into the house of the YSRCP MLA, destroyed the CCTV cameras and arrested the people's representative in a nocturnal activity and slapped serious charges on him and others. \"TDP has stooped to such a level that the ruling party worker tore the robes of his wife and blamed it on the MLA to enable the police to book him under SC/ST case. The same police refused to file a case when evidence of the attack on YSRCP cadre's house was shown,\" Jagan Mohan Reddy said. According to the former Chief Minister, the YSRCP MLA had gone to the rescue of his followers after police failed to act when the party worker was being attacked and sent SOS. \"While cadre Hari was being ferried by the MLA to safety, TDP goons attacked the car, gravely injuring the MLA's brother. The state government has been targeting Backward Class leaders one after the other,\" Jagan Mohan Reddy said. \"They have arrested Seridi Apparaju and jailed him after converting a simple road accident case into a case with serious charges. They arrested Mustafa in a tobacco deal on flimsy grounds and made it a case of kidnap. They also arrested Chinthada Ravi on charges of assaulting a woman Sub-Inspector while he was helping in clearing the mob,\" he added. \"The motive has been clear to trouble the political adversaries by foisting false cases but days will not be the same and the people pursuing Red Book Constitution will have to repent in the coming days. Though we have brought in police reforms and initiated police reforms, while I went in to meet the MLA the police took my photo from an inappropriate angle in a standing posture,\" the YSRCP President said."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/YAGoGzJInk1ORKL8_jagan.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-08-13T18:30:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"jagan-andhra-govt-will-have-to-repent"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"SC quashes criminal defamation case against RaGa"},"content":{"text":"The Supreme Court on Friday quashed the criminal defamation proceedings initiated against Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on Hindutva ideologue V.D. Savarkar.  The apex court held that the prosecution could not proceed as the Uttar Pradesh government had not given the requisite sanction to go ahead. A Bench of Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Sheel Nagu allowed his plea after noting that the criminal case lacked the particular sanction required under the law to prosecute Gandhi in the case. A Bench of the top court granted relief to the Congress leader after being informed that the mandatory approval from the Uttar Pradesh government for prosecution in the case had not been obtained. Consequently, the Court set aside the summons issued to Gandhi by a lower court. The case stems from remarks made by Rahul Gandhi during the Congress party's Bharat Jodo Yatra in Maharashtra in 2022. During one of his public addresses, Gandhi described Savarkar as a “servant of the British” and alleged that the freedom fighter “used to receive a pension from the British”. The comments had triggered controversy, with lawyer Nripendra Pandey filing a complaint before a lower court, alleging that the statements were defamatory and promoted disharmony. After examining the complaint, the lower court had found a prima facie case, issuing summons to Gandhi under Sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups) and 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) of the Indian Penal Code. However, during the proceedings before the Supreme Court, it was brought to the Court's notice that the prosecution had not secured the necessary sanction from the Uttar Pradesh government, a legal requirement for proceeding with such offences. Taking note of this procedural lapse, the apex court quashed the criminal proceedings and the summons issued against the Congress leader. The ruling marks a significant legal relief for Gandhi, who has faced multiple criminal and civil proceedings arising from his political speeches and public remarks in recent years. The Supreme Court's decision effectively brings an end to the case linked to his comments on Savarkar."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aUUbC3NYClf9ofpW_RaGaprotest.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-08-14T07:00:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"sc-quashes-criminal-defamation-case-against-raga"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"ISI Targets Railways to Stir I-Day Panic"},"content":{"text":"The Indian Railways has become the primary target for the Inter Services Intelligence-backed elements in recent months, according to an intelligence report.  While the railways has long been a favourite target of terrorists, recent developments suggest a more sinister game plan. The terror plots that have been foiled and the intelligence inputs gathered by security agencies point towards a concerted attempt to target the railway network. An Intelligence Bureau official said that the ISI has focused its espionage activities largely on the military and railways. Most of the spies reportedly deployed for the India operations have specific briefs to gather as much information as possible on both the Indian Army and railways. Indian security agencies have now noticed a significant change in the pattern. The information being sought by these elements about the railway network is currently greater than that concerning military installations. In the case of the armed forces, the ISI appears to be pursuing a long-term strategy. It is seeking to gather as much information as possible, rather than with an immediate intention of targeting military establishments. This is a more tactical exercise, aimed at ensuring that the Pakistani Army maintains an informational advantage over the Indian armed forces. The information being gathered relates to logistics and movement of the troops. However, when it comes to the railways, the primary intention is to carry out terror attacks. The Pakistani spy agency knows that the railways is the lifeline of India and disrupting this sector means spreading widespread panic and fear in the minds of the people. An official said that there is a mixed strategy with regard to the railways. “While in many cases, the idea is to gather information so that a strike can be carried out, the ISI is also attempting to play mind games. It is not necessary that the ISI-backed terrorists need to strike this sector all the time. Even a hoax alarm when it comes to the Indian railways is sufficient to create panic in the minds of the people,” the official said. Another official said that some individuals have been recruited specifically to make hoax calls. “If a hoax call or false information is circulated at a crowded railway station, it could trigger panic and eventually lead to a major stampede, resulting in loss of several lives,” the official added. Officials said the ISI has not limited its directives to Islamist outfits to target railway stations. It has also instructed cadres of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) to carry out similar attacks, indicating a broader effort to exploit multiple terror networks for targeting the railway infrastructure. While the brief for the BKI is to strike at railway stations in Punjab and Haryana, in the case of the rest of the outfits the focus is on Delhi, Mumbai and other major cities. The ISI has allegedly been working on its railways plan for the last year. In fact, surveillance of the railway sector has increased ten-fold over the past year. The Pakistani spy agency has stepped up recruitment as part of its efforts to target railway infrastructure. In the first phase of the operation, the recruits moved around railway stations, photographed key areas, assessed security arrangements and passed the information to their handlers. Investigations have revealed that some of these recruits were willing to carry out the assignments for as little as Rs 3,000. The ISI later escalated its surveillance efforts by instructing recruits to install solar-powered closed-circuit television cameras at railway stations. These cameras enabled them to obtain live feeds of activity at the stations. Recent investigations have shown that recruits involved in installing the cameras were paid between Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000 for each camera. Meanwhile, the Intelligence Bureau has issued a high alert and said that the ISI-backed modules would try to target railway infrastructure in Delhi and the surrounding areas. Security is already tight ahead of India’s Independence Day owing to the multiple threat assessments by the agencies. The terror groups would look to carry out a major hit on railway infrastructure during this period as the security mechanism would be more focused on guarding the Independence Day events in Delhi, the officials say."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/be111bdb-d20f-49c1-a19c-a118f1abe53f_trains.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-08-14T08:08:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"isi-targets-railways-to-stir-i-day-panic"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"CBN: Amaravati will be developed as Deep Tech capital"},"content":{"text":"Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, on Thursday said that Amaravati will be developed into a Deep Tech capital.  He announced that the Andhra Pradesh capital will be transformed into a hub for Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing Reiterating that Amaravati will emerge as one of the top five cities in the world, he said it would be a completely pollution-free city. The Chief Minister was speaking at a public meeting after inaugurating Seed Access Road and steel bridges in Amaravati. He inaugurated the 'Seed Access Road E-3', a major thoroughfare connecting to the capital city, Amaravati. He also unveiled a plaque at Undavalli to mark the inauguration of the steel bridges that form part of the Seed Access Road network. The Seed Access Road has been constructed at a total cost of ₹1,519 crore. It has been developed with the primary objective of providing better road connectivity between Amaravati and the Mangalagiri and Vijayawada regions, while also reducing traffic congestion on the Karakatta (river embankment) road. He stated that the Seed Access Roads in the capital city are being constructed following the planning principles of the Indus Valley Civilisation. “This is merely the beginning of the city's construction. In the third phase, the Seed Access Road will connect to the National Highway at Tadepalli.” He also stated that the Centre has also sanctioned a 190-km Outer Ring Road and a 96-km Inner Ring Road. CM Naidu was confident that by 2028, Amaravati will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Stating that Amaravati is now unstoppable, he alleged that some individuals attempted to obstruct the construction of the capital's roads. “Such individuals pose a significant risk to the state. However, we are setting concrete goals for the state's development.” Chandrababu Naidu recalled that Cyberabad was built in the united Andhra Pradesh in a way that made the Telugu people proud. He stated that Andhra Pradesh suffered losses following the bifurcation as it was left without a capital city. The Chief Minister stated that since Guntur district is centrally located among the 25 parliamentary constituencies, he resolved to establish the capital here. “After extensive discussions, farmers came forward to support the capital's construction, placing their trust in us. I bow in reverence to all the farmers who sacrificed their lands for the state capital,” he said. He pointed out that the municipal corporations of Amaravati, Mangalagiri, Tadepalli, Guntur, and Vijayawada will all fall within the capital region. Stating that Singapore extended full cooperation for the Amaravati master plan, he accused the previous government of YSR Congress for allegedly ‘harassing’ a partner like Singapore. “We commissioned designs from London-based Norman Foster to ensure the government complex buildings would be unique. Some people mocked the plans, dismissing them as mere 'graphics'. Now that those graphics are becoming reality, those who ridiculed them ought to hang their heads in shame.” Targeting former Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, he remarked that the very person who once stated in the Assembly that 40,000 acres were needed for the capital later went back on his word, and instead proposed \"three capitals\"."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/2l0HV1W9duOYdZtJ_CBN.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-08-13T11:30:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"cbn-amaravati-will-be-developed-as-deep-tech-capit"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Sukhbir Singh Badal injured in attack"},"content":{"text":"Shiromani Akali Dal chief and former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was injured in an attack at a gurudwara in Maharashtra's Nanded on Thursday.  According to preliminary information, the incident took place when Badal visited the Mata Sahib Gurdwara in the Hazur Sahib area on the outskirts of the city at around 11 a.m. The Akali Dal chief was attacked by a Nihang armed with a kirpan, sources said, adding that the assailant has been taken into custody by the police. According to sources, the attacker allegedly attempted to stab Badal in the stomach. However, security personnel intervened in time and prevented the attacker from causing more serious injuries. A video recorded after the incident showed Badal walking with a saffron cloth wrapped around his right hand. Following the attack, Badal was rushed to a private hospital in Nanded for treatment. A security personnel deployed for his protection was also injured while trying to prevent the assault. Earlier in the day, he had visited Takht Sri Hazur Sahib in Nanded along with his family. His wife and Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal was present when the attack occurred. Maharashtra Police confirmed to media that the attack took place inside the gurdwara premises. A senior police official stated that Badal sustained an injury to his hand. Preliminary reports indicate that he may have suffered injuries to other areas as well. Officials said that Badal's injuries are not life-threatening. He has received stitches on his hand and is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Nanded. Inspector Santosh Kendre, who was deployed on special security duty, was also injured during the attack. Police have confirmed that one attacker has been detained and further investigation is underway. Badal had arrived in Nanded from Punjab. This is not the first attack on the Akali Dal leader. On December 4, 2024, he survived an assassination attempt outside the Golden Temple in Amritsar. He escaped unharmed, while the gunman was quickly overpowered and arrested. At the time, Badal was performing 'sewadar' duties at the Golden Temple after the Akal Takht had pronounced 'tankhah' (religious punishment) on him and several other Akali Dal leaders for alleged mistakes committed during the party's rule in Punjab between 2007 and 2017."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/nUpuAC8PmSWZ94gZ_badal.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-08-13T10:29:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"sukhbir-singh-badal-injured-in-attack"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Jail Treatment To Jagan Sparks Political Row!"},"content":{"text":"YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has accused the Andhra Pradesh government of deliberately humiliating him during his visit to Kurnool district jail. The YSRCP chief had gone to meet party MLA Virupakshi and claimed that, unlike visitors who are normally taken inside and photographed, he was allegedly made to stand outside the jail grills while his photograph was taken. Calling the incident disrespectful, Jagan said he was particularly disturbed by the treatment because he had previously served as the state’s Chief Minister. Jagan said he questioned jail officials about the unusual procedure and was told that the instructions had come from higher authorities. He contrasted the episode with the system introduced during his tenure, claiming that police stations under his government were designed to be more accessible and respectful toward ordinary citizens. According to him, the manner in which he was treated reflected what he described as an attempt to deliberately insult him. After walking out of the jail, Jagan strongly criticised Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and warned against establishing what he called a dangerous political precedent. He said governments do not remain in power forever and cautioned that actions taken today could eventually have consequences for those responsible. Jagan also pointed out that two years of the current government had already passed, with three more years still remaining, signalling that the political confrontation between the ruling coalition and the YSRCP is likely to continue."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/ZUPKlja0hMLsW0GH_jagan.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-08-13T14:04:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"jail-treatment-to-jagan-sparks-political-row"}}]},"entertainment":{"edges":[{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Venkatesh’s New Army Avatar"},"content":{"text":"The makers of director Anil Ravipudi's eagerly awaited entertainer, featuring actors Venkatesh and Anil Ravipudi in the lead, on Friday released the first look of actor Venkatesh as Lt. Colonel Venkat Reddy in the film on the occasion of the star completing 40 glorious years in the film industry.  After having unveiled Kalyan Ram’s look in the film on the occasion of his birthday, the makers on Friday unveiled the first look of Venkatesh, on the occasion of the star completing 40 glorious years in the industry.  The poster shows Venkatesh in an Indian Army camouflage uniform, sporting sunglasses and a scarf, standing beside a rugged SUV. His composed stance and intense styling establish the image of a strict military officer. The poster identifies Venkatesh as Lt. Colonel Venkat Reddy, serving in the Indian Army and specialising in counter-terrorism and hostage negotiation. The Army insignia and crossed-swords emblem in the backdrop reinforce the military setting. The muted blue-green sky, rocky terrain and imposing vehicle create a gritty, adventurous and patriotic atmosphere, while the earthy camouflage tones complement the rugged landscape.  The combination of Venkatesh and Kalyan Ram is expected to be a major attraction, as their contrasting personalities and lively camaraderie are set to bring an exciting dimension to Anil Ravipudi’s trademark brand of entertainment. Produced by Sahu Garapati under the Shine Screens banner, the film is being presented by Suresh Productions Archana, and Zee Studios. Sources say that work on the much-awaited film was progressing at a brisk pace and that the prestigious project was shaping up as a grand-scale entertainer. Keerthy Suresh stars opposite Venkatesh in the film, while Krithi Shetty is paired with Kalyan Ram. The film brings together an accomplished technical team, with GV Prakash Kumar composing its music, Sameer Reddy handling cinematography, Tammiraju taking care of the editing, and AS Prakash designing the production. S Krishna serves as the executive producer. Built on a lavish canvas and packed with humour, emotions, family drama and celebratory entertainment, #VenkyAnil5 / #NKRAR2 is being positioned as a wholesome festive entertainer. The film is slated to hit screens for Sankranthi next year."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/thYsRcmSEC9aHTCG_venkyanil.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-08-14T12:48:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"venkateshs-new-army-avatar"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Yash Surprised by Kiara’s Rain Debut"},"content":{"text":"Yash revealed that he was surprised to learn that Kiara Advani had never done a rain sequence before 'Toxic', despite spending so many years in Bollywood. Addressing the album launch event of 'Toxic' in Mumbai, Yash shared that when he asked Kiara if she had done a rain sequence, she said no, and he convinced her that it was going to be easy. Yash was heard saying, \"When Kiara came into this film, I was a little worried because it is too demanding. The first time we spoke, I asked her, 'have you ever done the rain sequence?' and she said, 'Never, how is it?' And I was like 'Oh, all these years you have worked and you have never done a rain sequence'. She said, 'No'. And I said, 'Yeah, it's going to be good, easy'.\" Yash also praised Kiara, saying that the actress came with 100% commitment despite being pregnant with her daughter at the time of the shoot. He revealed that he and director Geetu Mohandas were extremely scared and acted like Kiara's bodyguard during the shoot.  \"And then I saw the way she dedicated herself, and I must say, even after she was pregnant, she came with 100% commitment. We all were so scared. I was more worried. Gitu was more worried. We were more like bouncers or bodyguards, where we used to take care of her. But she has really dedicated herself. So thank you, Kiara. This one is special,” the 'KGF' actor went on to add. Yash even went on to call another leading lady from 'Toxic', Tara Sutaria, a 'stunning beauty'. \"I was told, 'You know in your whole movie the character what she is playing that looks authentic like a Disney queen or a character from that era'. So that makes me a little conscious standing next to her that I am not looking according to the period or because she is so good looking that that's making me look little local,\" he said."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/ORIzscMqWBkuJ-8D_yashkaira.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-08-14T11:48:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"yash-surprised-by-kiaras-rain-debut"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"‘Korean Kanakaraju’ Sees Highs, Lows"},"content":{"text":"In a notable showing at the theaters, Varun Tej's Telugu horror comedy, 'Korean Kanakaraju,' has nearly reached the ₹20 crore mark in India net collections after its first week, closing Day 7 with an estimated ₹19.02 crore. This figure was bolstered by a modest ₹0.83 crore collected on Thursday, August 13, reflecting a significant drop of 35.7% from Wednesday's earnings of ₹1.29 crore, according to reliable box office tracking sources such as Sacnilk. The film's overall gross stands at ₹21.86 crore in India, while its overseas collection has reached ₹5 crore, culminating in a worldwide gross of approximately ₹26.86 crore. The film's trajectory in its initial week serves as an indicator of audience engagement and market reception. The performance of 'Korean Kanakaraju' has displayed an interesting pattern over its first week. Launching with a strong opening of ₹4.20 crore on its debut day, the film sustained solid collections during the opening weekend, peaking at ₹4.85 crore on Sunday. However, post-weekend figures reveal a marked decline, with daily collections subsequently dropping consistently from Monday through Thursday. The film screened in 1,666 shows on Thursday, securing an occupancy rate of 19%, which further contributed to the overall narrative of fluctuating viewer interest. As the film nears the end of its first week, the declining numbers raise questions regarding its staying power in theaters. Produced by Rajeev Reddy and Sai Babu Jagarlamudi under the banners of UV Creations and First Frame Entertainment, 'Korean Kanakaraju' is directed by Merlapaka Gandhi. The film features a cast that includes Ritika Nayak and Satya alongside Tej, providing a mix of talent that appeals to both horror and comedy enthusiasts. The plot centers around a young man from Rayalaseema whose life spirals into chaotic comedy upon the arrival of a spirit linked to Korea. This blend of cultural elements and supernatural themes adds depth to the narrative, making it an intriguing watch within the genre. As audiences reflect on the film's performance, industry analysts are closely monitoring the subsequent days' collections, particularly as Friday marks Day 8 of its theatrical run. The outcome will provide early insights into the film's ability to maintain momentum or if it will continue to wane as it progresses further into its second week. With solid initial numbers, the industry is keenly observing whether 'Korean Kanakaraju' can reclaim its footing or if the downward trend will persist, impacting its longevity in cinemas."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/OtpSnAMsUGhEbSwD_KK.JPG?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C2%2C600%2C296&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-08-14T12:19:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"korean-kanakaraju-sees-highs-lows"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Prabhu, Sukanya's reunion after 31 years!"},"content":{"text":"The makers of director Priyan Rajendran's upcoming action entertainer, featuring actor Rakshan  in the lead, have now announced the title of the film as 'Mary Gold'.  The film, which is being produced by well known production house Trident Arts, is being produced by R. Ravindran and co-produced by Sudharsan. The film is Trident Arts's 21st production. Sources close to the unit of the film say that actress Namritha plays the female lead in this film, which will be set against the backdrop of Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi. One other highlight about this upcoming project is that it will mark the reunion of the popular on-screen pair, Prabhu and Sukanya, after 31 years. The duo had previously starred together in films such as 'Senthamizh Paattu', 'Chinna Mappillai' and 'Mr. Madras'. Sources hint at 'Mary Gold' being an engaging and fast-paced story. Set in southern Tamil Nadu, the film, sources have revealed, will revolve around the intriguing rivalry between characters from Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi, while exploring their distinctive lifestyles. At its heart, 'Mary Gold' will be an emotional family drama with an engaging narrative, they add and point out that the unit plans to shoot the film swiftly. Apart from Rakshan, Namritha, Prabhu and Sukanya, the film will feature a number of character artistes including Singampuli, Vadivukkarasi, Imaan Annachi, Vivek Prasanna, Stalin and Vadivel Murugan in important roles. On the technical front, the film will have cinematography by Mallikarjun and music by one of the Tamil industry's most promising music composers, Siddhu Kumar. Editing for the film will be by R Nirmal and art direction will be by G Durai Raj. Dances in the film are to be choreographed by Deepu M while stunts in the film are to be choreographed by Abishek Srinivasan. Sanjay Vijayraghavan plays the role of a Creative Producer for this film."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/Td0puOFGQ7klbsFV_prabhusukanya.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-08-14T02:55:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"prabhu-sukanyas-reunion-after-31-years"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"'Toxic' cleared for release with an 'A' certificate?"},"content":{"text":"If sources in the industry are to be believed, director Geetu Mohandas's eagerly awaited pan Indian action spectacle, 'Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown Ups', featuring Yash in the lead, has now been cleared by the Censor Board for release with an 'A' certificate. Sources claim that the version cleared by the Censor Board has a runtime of three hours and 14 minutes and that the story is set in Goa. However, there has been no official confirmation from the makers in this regard as of now.  The film, which features a number of top stars including Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Tara Sutaria, Rukmini Vasanth, and Huma Qureshi, has triggered huge interest in fans and film buffs, ever since the makers released a trailer. The trailer released showed that 'Toxic' revolves around the complex relationship between Raya and his son, Ticket, accompanied by a web of relationships and rivalries. The trailer also gave an insight into the character arcs of the female leads of the drama - Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Tara Sutaria, Rukmini Vasanth, and Huma Qureshi. The trailer did not give out much about the storyline of the film, but communicated the basic sentiment of the world where chaos meets chaos. All the actors, who are a part of the film, are betting big on the pan-Indian magnum opus. In fact, actress Nayanthara, who plays a pivotal role in the film, raised expectations when she said that the film would blow audiences' minds at the trailer launch event of the film.  Originally scheduled to reach the audience in March, 'Toxic' was pushed to June, citing ‘uncertainty in the Middle East’. Now, 'Toxic' is slated to hit screens on August 26 this year. Shot simultaneously in English and Kannada, 'Toxic' will also have dubbed versions in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam. Made under the direction of Geetu Mohandas, 'Toxic' has been jointly backed by KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/ajeipY1P9HI4UxCB_toxic.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,2,2020,996&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-08-14T03:24:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"toxic-cleared-for-release-with-an-a-certificate"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"‘Bhogi’ Wraps Action Schedule in Record Time!"},"content":{"text":"The unit of director Sampath Nandi's explosive period action drama, 'Bhogi', featuring actor Sharwanand in the lead, has now successfully wrapped up another action-heavy schedule of the film.   Taking to his X timeline to announce the completion of the latest schedule, director Sampath Nandi wrote, \"Beautiful...Another action loaded schedule wrapped. @ImSharwanand garuu… your effort speaks in every frame. #BHOGI keeps getting bigger, tougher and more exciting. My action beast @dhilipaction garu, DoP ace @kishorkumardop brother and the entire squad…Thank you for giving it everything. Marching Ahead. A #SharwaSampathBloodFest.\" The fact that the unit has wrapped another schedule in less than a fortnight of completing its challenging climax schedule has caught the attention of industry pundits. For the unaware, the unit of Bhogi had wrapped up a spectacular 22-day continuous climax schedule only in July. The climax, which was shot on a gigantic set conceived by production designer Kiran Kumar Manne, required nearly three months of meticulous preparation. The massive action-packed sequence had brought together more than 800 junior artistes, making it one of the biggest schedules in the film. Sources had then pointed out that producer KK Radhamohan had left no stone unturned to ensure world-class execution across every department. Sources have claimed that the climax sequence features some adrenaline-pumping action portions that have been choreographed by popular stunt master Dhilip Subbarayan and that these portions are bound to give audiences a breathtaking theatrical experience. Sharwa, who plays the powerful character Ganga, is said to have delivered a career-defining performance. Sources have also pointed out that the actor had to undergo over two-and-a-half hours of intricate makeup every day, followed by nearly an hour for makeup removal after the shoot. The physically demanding transformation and intense action episodes are expected to stand out as one of the biggest highlights of the film. The film features Anupama Parameswaran and Dimple Hayathi as the female leads. Already, the makers of the film have released the first looks of actresses Anupama Parameswaran as Kandula Sulochana Rani and Dimple Hayathi as Mandaram in the film.   Sources had said that Sulochana (the character Anupama plays in the film) will be a spirited person who is deeply rooted in nature. Earning her livelihood by crafting leaf plates from Moduga leaves, the “Flame of the Forest” Sulochana would embody both resilience and quiet strength in the film, they had informed. Mandaram (the character Dimple Hayathi plays in the film), the sources had disclosed, will be a bold and powerful character who simply does not care for the world. 'Bhogi' is set in the early 1960s and unfolds in a fictional village on the Telangana-Maharashtra border. Slated for a grand pan-India release, the film is to hit theatres in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi on August 28 this year."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aZ6a1cFoBIGEgwfp_bhogi.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-08-14T03:35:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"bhogi-wraps-action-schedule-in-record-time"}}]},"tech":{"edges":[]},"fashion":{"edges":[]},"business":{"edges":[]},"health":{"edges":[{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Scorching Heat: The Unseen Toll on Teen Mental Health"},"content":{"text":"As global temperatures soar, a troubling new study reveals that extreme heat is not merely an environmental concern but a significant threat to the mental health of adolescents. Research indicates that for every 1°C rise in daily temperature, the risk of adverse mental health outcomes in teenagers escalates by nearly 1%. While this statistic may seem modest at first glance, it becomes alarming when considering the frequency of heatwaves in recent summers, underscoring the urgent need to address this evolving crisis. The comprehensive review analyzed data from 23 studies worldwide, pinpointing children and teenagers aged five to eighteen as the most vulnerable demographic. On particularly hot days, this group experiences a 1.5% increase in the likelihood of poor mental health outcomes; however, during actual heatwaves, this figure skyrockets to an astonishing 25%. Such stark differences highlight the psychological ramifications of sustained heat exposure, which extends beyond mere discomfort to include serious implications such as increased anxiety, depression, and even suicide attempts. Experts, including co-author Jacqueline Stephens from Flinders University, emphasize that the intersection of climate change and mental health cannot be ignored. The patterns of rising temperatures and more frequent heat events are not restricted to a single region; they are a global phenomenon with widespread repercussions. Adolescents are particularly susceptible during this pivotal developmental stage, where their routines—schooling, recreation, and social interactions—are disrupted by extreme weather conditions, causing significant emotional distress. Moreover, researchers note that the physical impact of heat, such as sleep disruption, compounds mental health challenges. Poor sleep exacerbates mood regulation, while family stress during heatwaves creates a ripple effect that permeates households. Although the findings point to population-level trends rather than individual predictions, they call for a re-evaluation of how public health strategies address heat-related issues. Current responses prioritize physical safety measures like hydration and cooling centers but overlook the critical need for mental health support tailored to young people. This oversight underscores the need for a more holistic approach to climate adaptation strategies that incorporate mental health services as integral components of public health initiatives."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/CJ8ZpPonvzZKyB1t_mentalhealth.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-08-11T10:28:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"scorching-heat-the-unseen-toll-on-teen-mental-heal"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"The Distinction Between Brain Tumors and Brain Cancer"},"content":{"text":"The phrases 'brain tumor' and 'brain cancer' often evoke a visceral reaction among the public, conjuring images of gravely serious health threats. However, contrary to common perception, these terms describe distinct medical conditions that warrant different approaches to diagnosis and treatment. A brain tumor is simply an abnormal growth of cells in or around the brain, which can be classified as benign or malignant. While all brain cancers are tumors, not all tumors exhibit cancerous characteristics; this critical distinction can influence a patient's treatment plan and overall prognosis. The medical community underscores the importance of understanding these differences. Brain tumors, irrespective of their benign or malignant status, can lead to severe health consequences because of the brain’s confined environment within the skull. This means that even non-cancerous tumors can exert pressure on vital neurological functions, leading to symptoms such as persistent headaches, seizures, and cognitive deficits. Dr. Praveen Gupta, a prominent neurologist, emphasizes that benign tumors, while non-cancerous, can still necessitate significant medical intervention depending on their size and location. The implications of this are crucial for anyone facing a diagnosis related to brain health. Historically, the classification of brain tumors has evolved as medical science has advanced. The National Cancer Institute and other leading neurological institutions categorize these tumors into myriad types, each demanding tailored treatment strategies. For instance, malignant tumors possess the aggressive ability to invade surrounding brain tissue, often requiring complex interventions that may include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Understanding whether a growth is benign or malignant is not just a matter of terminology; it directly impacts the urgency and nature of the interventions required. Symptoms often overlap between benign and malignant tumors, complicating self-diagnosis and reinforcing the necessity for professional evaluation. Medical imaging techniques such as MRI and CT scans, along with biopsies, are essential to ascertain the nature of the tumor. Experts caution against relying on symptomatology alone, as the presence of alarming symptoms could mask a benign condition, while milder manifestations could signify a malignant threat. As such, timely medical evaluation is paramount, as early detection can significantly enhance treatment effectiveness and patient quality of life."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/f6803c8c-7220-433e-b58f-ef269a3ecf79_brain+stroke.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-07-24T10:10:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"the-distinction-between-brain-tumors-and-brain-can"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Heatwaves, Sleepless Nights"},"content":{"text":"As the world grapples with the escalating repercussions of climate change, a less visible yet profoundly affecting consequence is emerging: significant sleep loss. Current research indicates that individuals in India are losing nearly four nights of sleep annually due to rising nighttime temperatures driven by climate change. Specifically, average citizens are suffering an estimated sleep deprivation of 56 hours each year, a disturbing trend that has doubled since the 1970s. This phenomenon is particularly acute in Southern India and Southeast Asia, where soaring nighttime temperatures have rendered restful sleep increasingly elusive. A recent study conducted by Climate Central, a respected US-based climate science organization, sheds light on the quantifiable impact of climate change on human sleep patterns. The analysis reveals that from 2020 to 2025, global average losses in sleep reached nearly 56 hours, with over six hours directly attributed to climate change rather than seasonal fluctuations. This groundbreaking research merges existing studies on heat and sleep with empirical temperature data, highlighting the stark reality that warmer nights are profoundly undermining the quality of rest for millions. With findings spanning 1,338 cities worldwide, the analysis indicates a troubling acceleration in sleep loss, particularly in urban areas where heat islands intensify nighttime temperatures. Regions most adversely affected include cities in the Middle East, where residents in Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the UAE report losing between 55 and 87 hours of sleep each year, with 12 to 16 hours attributable to climate change alone. In contrast, the United States presents a slightly milder scenario, with average sleep losses around 36 hours annually, though climate-related losses have nearly tripled since the early 1970s. States such as Arizona and California are notably suffering from extreme heat, exacerbating the public health crisis stemming from sleep deprivation. In comparison, Indian citizens, particularly in the warmer southern states, face staggering sleep losses of between 78 to 91 hours, with a significant portion directly linked to anthropogenic climate factors. The implications of this widespread sleep deficiency are deeply troubling, extending beyond mere fatigue. Research consistently correlates poor sleep with numerous health issues, including impaired mood, cognitive decline, and increased susceptibility to cardiovascular and immune system disorders. As the burden of sleep loss accumulates, it becomes increasingly detrimental to individuals already struggling to achieve restorative sleep. While air conditioning may mitigate some impacts, access remains inequitable, with only about 35% of households equipped with cooling systems as of 2021, disproportionately affecting lower-income populations. Consequently, the underreported consequences of climate-induced sleep deprivation reflect a critical challenge that demands urgent attention from policymakers and health advocates alike."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad%2F37239656-628a-4814-9f5d-a1f31a14cfd0_sleep.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C108%2C1200%2C592&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-07-17T17:03:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"heatwaves-sleepless-nights"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"How Smoking Hurts Pregnancy!"},"content":{"text":"When planning to start a family, many couples focus on preparing for pregnancy by discussing nursery plans and choosing baby names. However, what often goes unnoticed is the detrimental impact of smoking on fertility and pregnancy. Cigarette smoke contains harmful chemicals that can damage reproductive cells in both men and women, making it harder to conceive and increasing the risk of pregnancy complications and poor outcomes for babies.  Dr. Vandana Bhatia, a Senior Fertility Specialist, emphasizes that smoking silently affects fertility, pregnancy, and the long-term development of the child. Both partners play a crucial role in protecting fertility as smoking can reduce sperm count, affect sperm movement, and damage egg quality, hormone levels, and ovarian reserve. Additionally, passive smoking also poses risks to fertility and pregnancy outcomes. Quitting smoking as a couple not only improves motivation and emotional support but also encourages healthier habits, leading to improved fertility and overall health.  The quality of eggs and sperm before conception significantly influences the health of the future child, making it essential for both parents to quit smoking before starting a family. Dr. Bhatia recommends practical steps for quitting smoking together, emphasizing that healthy choices are crucial in building a healthy family. Parenthood begins with the quiet promise of choosing health together, even before the first heartbeat is heard on an ultrasound."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/akDOG1bRV8_Qf8Cd_smokefertility.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-06-27T19:33:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"how-smoking-hurts-pregnancy"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Even 1% Sleep Loss Could Heighten Dementia Risk"},"content":{"text":"A recent study published in JAMA Neurology has shed light on the potential link between minimal sleep loss and an increased risk of dementia. The research suggests that as little as a 1% reduction in deep sleep per year for individuals over 60 could translate to a 27% elevated risk of developing dementia. Deep sleep, also known as slow-wave sleep, plays a crucial role in the body's repair processes and the clearance of toxic proteins associated with dementia.  Associate Professor Matthew Pase from Monash University's Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health emphasized the significance of deep sleep in supporting the aging brain and facilitating the removal of metabolic waste, including proteins linked to Alzheimer's disease. The study, which drew from the Framingham Heart Study, examined 346 participants over 60 years of age, tracking their sleep patterns and dementia development over a 17-year period. Even after adjusting for various factors, including age, genetic predisposition, and medication use, the findings consistently pointed to a 27% increased dementia risk for each percentage decrease in deep sleep annually.  It's important to note that the natural decline in deep sleep with age is gradual, peaking between 75 and 80 years old and then stabilizing. However, the cumulative effect of a 27% increase per percentage-point decrease underscores the long-term impact on dementia risk. While there's no straightforward solution to preserving deep sleep, maintaining consistent sleep schedules, avoiding alcohol before bedtime, creating a conducive sleep environment, and addressing conditions like sleep apnea can potentially support better sleep quality. Additionally, regular exercise has been linked to improved slow-wave sleep in older adults. Although these measures aren't a guarantee, the study highlights the importance of prioritizing deep sleep for brain health as individuals age."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/50a54145-f24c-4c83-80b9-e6d19ba52027_sleep.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-06-25T06:59:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"even-1-sleep-loss-could-heighten-dementia-risk"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Is Your Soda Habit Causing Hair Loss?"},"content":{"text":"Are your beloved sodas harming your hair? While soft drinks have long been criticized for their impact on weight, diabetes, and heart health, a new concern has emerged regarding their potential effects on hair. The discussion gained traction after hair transplant surgeon Dr. Abhishek Pilani highlighted the issue on Raj Shamani's Figuring Out podcast.  According to Dr. Pilani, regular consumption of sugary cold drinks may create conditions within the body that are not conducive to healthy hair growth. While consuming one soda is unlikely to cause sudden hair loss, a study published in the journal Nutrients in 2023 found a link between higher consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and male-pattern hair loss in young men. However, it's essential to note that the study established a correlation, not causation. The potential connection between soft drinks and hair health lies in the impact of high-sugar beverages on overall health.  Excessive sugar consumption can lead to repeated spikes in blood sugar and insulin levels, potentially contributing to inflammation and metabolic issues that affect the body, including hair growth. However, hair loss is rarely attributed to a single factor and is typically the result of various elements accumulating over time, including genetics, hormones, nutrition, lifestyle, and overall health. Healthy hair growth relies on a balanced intake of nutrients such as iron, protein, zinc, vitamin D, and B vitamins. While soft drinks don't directly deplete these nutrients, excessive consumption may lead to healthier options being replaced.  The concern lies in long-term habits rather than occasional consumption. The normal range of daily hair loss is between 50 and 100 strands, but concerns arise when lost hairs aren't adequately replaced. While soft drinks may not directly cause hair loss, their impact on overall health could potentially affect hair growth. Instead of fixating on individual cans of soda, experts emphasize the importance of considering overall lifestyle factors such as sleep, stress management, balanced nutrition, and reduced sugar intake. Ultimately, addressing concerns about hair health may begin with dietary and lifestyle adjustments."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aDbfAydWJ-7kSniS_jucessoda.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-06-11T18:30:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"is-your-soda-habit-causing-hair-loss"}}]},"nri":{"edges":[{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"'H-1B fee may drive American jobs abroad'"},"content":{"text":"Indian American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi has warned that a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas could force US companies to move work abroad, hurting the country’s ability to attract skilled professionals and compete globally. “You can either onshore the talent or offshore the work,” Krishnamoorthi said in an episode of the “Spill the Tea” interview series. “These companies are not going to just sit by and not do the work,” the Illinois Democrat said. Krishnamoorthi said during a discussion about barriers to legal immigration, including the $100,000 fee. The interviewer noted that Indian nationals received 71 per cent of all H-1B visas in fiscal year 2024 and asked how the policy would affect Indian Americans and US competitiveness. “I mean, it adversely affects both, right? Because, our competitiveness depends on attracting the very best talent on earth. Whether it's people from India or China or Sweden. It doesn't matter,” Krishnamoorthi said. He described the fee as a tax on workers who fill highly specialised technical positions in the US economy. “And so when you put this, what I, I call it a tax, $100,000 tax on this group of people who, by the way, fill some of the most kind of exquisite techno - technical roles in our economy and have, and, and many of whom have gone on to incubate companies, you know, employing hundreds of thousands of people, you're basically pushing these people away in the first instance, and then probably getting people here to rethink whether they should stay,” he said. Krishnamoorthi said the approach could increasingly persuade companies to transfer work to other countries. “And now, you know, that kind of, attitude means that I fear that increasingly companies here are gonna offshore the work,” he said. The congressman called for changes to the legal immigration system and an end to policies that could weaken the US economy. “And so that's why, especially in this really competitive economic landscape, we've got to fix our legal immigration system and we've got to stop, you know, these own goals, so to speak, on H1B and, you know, other legal pathways that people have used to enrich our economy,” he said. Krishnamoorthi also blamed President Donald Trump for what he described as a normalisation of hostility towards minority communities. Asked what was driving a rise in anti-Asian and anti-Indian sentiment, he replied: “It rhymes with Donald Trump.” He said Trump had played on fears of people seen as outside the mainstream and blamed them for the economic difficulties faced by others. “And I think that that has now metastasized over 10 years into almost like a normalization of hate,” he said. The H-1B programme allows US employers to hire foreign professionals for speciality occupations requiring specialised knowledge. Technology and consulting companies have traditionally been among its largest users. Krishnamoorthi has represented Illinois’ 8th Congressional District since 2017. He holds a mechanical engineering degree from Princeton University and a law degree from Harvard Law School. "},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aT_qZHNYClf9oL9c_rajakrishnamoorthi.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-08-14T04:53:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"h-1b-fee-may-drive-american-jobs-abroad"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Indian teen murders mother, brother in US home"},"content":{"text":"A 17-year-old Indian-American boy in Acton, a town about 40 kilometres northwest of Boston, has been charged with murdering his mother and younger brother after investigators said he had used the Internet and ChatGPT to search for ideas or fantasies about killing his family.  Arjun Aravind, an Indian-origin teenager, faces two counts of murder in the deaths of his mother, Sudha Venkatesan, 45, and his brother, Siddharth Aravind, 14, the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office said. He has also been charged with two counts each of assault and battery on a household or family member and assault and battery. Other charges include theft of a motor vehicle and use of a vehicle without authority. Police went to the family’s home on Martha Lane shortly after 6.37 p.m. on Tuesday. Arjun’s father had called after being unable to reach his family. A tutor who was expected at the house had also been unable to contact anyone inside. The father had last spoken with his wife early that morning before leaving for work. Siddharth was last seen around noon. Officers found Siddharth on the first floor and Venkatesan in the finished basement. Both had suffered visible trauma. Arjun was missing from the home. His mother’s green 2014 Honda Accord was also gone. Police alerted other law enforcement agencies and asked the public to look for the teenager and the vehicle. Residents were warned not to approach him. Early Wednesday, police in Wayland responded to an unrelated alarm in a parking lot on Andrew Avenue. Officers found the missing car with Arjun inside. He was taken into custody without incident. “The subsequent investigation indicates that Arjun had recently been demonstrating concerning behaviour, including using the Internet and ChatGPT, to make searches for theoretical ideas or fantasies regarding killing his family,” the district attorney’s office said. Prosecutors alleged that Arjun fatally assaulted his mother and brother inside their home before fleeing in his mother’s car. Authorities have not said what weapon or weapons may have been used. That part of the investigation remains active. The precise cause and manner of the two deaths are also awaiting a determination by the chief medical examiner. Arjun was arraigned in Lowell Juvenile Court on Wednesday on the motor vehicle-related charges. Prosecutors said the murder and related assault charges would probably be brought in Concord District Court because the Juvenile Court does not have jurisdiction over murder charges. The investigation is being conducted by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Acton Police and the Massachusetts State Police detective unit assigned to the prosecutor’s office. Police departments from eight nearby communities also assisted. Acton is a suburban community in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, and forms part of the Greater Boston region. The town is served by the Acton-Boxborough Regional School District. Massachusetts law provides for an accused person aged 14 or older to be prosecuted as an adult when charged with murder. Other charges involving a juvenile may remain within the state’s juvenile court system."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/WHJobWcRy5vjwpee_usindianteen.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-08-13T03:33:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"indian-teen-murders-mother-brother-in-us-home"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Robbers looted $1 mn from US Indian jeweller in 1-minute"},"content":{"text":"Robbers looted jewels costing about $1 million in a highly organised one-minute heist at an Indian store in New Jersey.  Four masked men dressed in black entered 9Lakha Jewellers in Woodbridge on Saturday evening, broke the showcases with sledgehammers, and took the jewels, according to police. This was the latest in a series of lootings of Indian jewellers in New Jersey. The store’s co-owner Sonu Chauhan described the incident to News 12 NJ: “They had big plastic bags with them. Along with the trays, they would start dumping into those bags. Within 30 or 45 seconds, they were done. The car was there, and they got into it.\" Surveillance video from the store showed the robbers arriving in a silver-coloured car, rushing into the store, running back to the car seconds later, and driving off. The store is located on a street with several Indian jewellery stores in an area of New Jersey that is home to a large diaspora community. The store’s co-owners said other stores on the street were robbed in the past year. Virani Jewellers on the same street was robbed with a similar tactic in June last year, and also in 2022. Co-owner of 9Lakha, Sushmita Chauhan, told the TV outlet: \"It would be very beneficial to see if the government or the town can give a little bit of insurance to the street”. They should “put some preventative measures rather than just going and acting after something really bad happened”, she said. Indian jewellery stores are frequent targets of robbers in New Jersey and elsewhere using smash-and-grab tactics. Ruby's Jeweller in Perth Amboy was a victim in May last year, and Reema Jewellers in Jersey City earlier this year, and Popular London Jewel, also in Jersey City, last November, according to reports."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/5J9Vz6BvPQRQxcP1_kooted.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-08-10T15:13:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"robbers-looted-1-mn-from-us-indian-jeweller-in-1-m"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"US revokes more than 175,000 visas"},"content":{"text":"The US State Department said on Monday it has revoked more than 175,000 visas from foreign nationals over criminal activity, immigration abuse, fraud, threats to national security and calls for violence against Americans.  The sweeping action was carried out under President Donald Trump as part of the department’s continuous vetting programme, according to a fact sheet released in Washington. The department said most revocations followed encounters with law enforcement. Assault, driving under the influence, theft and drug offences were among the leading reasons. A significant number of visas were also cancelled over reckless driving, sexual assault, child abuse, fraud, embezzlement and other crimes, it said. The State Department said continuous vetting was designed to ensure that visa holders complied with the terms of their admission and did not endanger Americans. Some cases involved foreign nationals facing serious criminal allegations. The department cited one person charged with felony rape and sexual battery, including an alleged assault involving a mentally disabled victim. Another foreign national was charged with felony kidnapping, human trafficking and the sexual exploitation of a minor. A separate visa holder was charged with sodomy of a child and aggravated sexual battery, the fact sheet said. The department also cited a foreign national charged with more than a dozen counts of possessing child sexual abuse material and a teacher arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a young student. In another case, a foreign national was arrested after allegedly driving with heroin and recording a blood alcohol level more than three times the legal limit. The department said a US embassy in North Africa revoked more than 100 visas issued to parents accused of participating in birth tourism. It said they had travelled to the United States primarily to give birth so their children would receive US citizenship. The fact sheet did not identify the embassy, the country involved or the nationalities of the affected visa holders. Other revocations involved suspected financial fraud. The department cited a foreign national accused of helping orchestrate a Medicaid scheme that billed more than USD 5 million for services that were never provided. It also described a foreign national who allegedly fabricated company revenue, forged letters and misled investors to obtain millions of dollars from clients. The person used those claims to fraudulently secure a visa, the department said. Visas were also revoked from several foreign nationals whom the department said celebrated the assassination of Charlie Kirk. It cited one person as saying, \"when fascists die, democrats don’t complain,\" while another said Kirk \"died too late.\" Secretary of State Marco Rubio has separately determined that several foreign nationals are deportable on foreign policy grounds, according to the fact sheet. They include a Cuban national allegedly linked to a Cuban government influence operation, Iranian nationals with connections to Tehran and a Laotian child sex offender pardoned by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. The department also cited a Kuwaiti national who wished violence against the US President and called Americans his 'enemy.' \"Under President Trump and Secretary Rubio’s leadership, the State Department will continue to identify, investigate, and revoke the visas of foreign nationals who threaten the safety of the American people,\" the department said. \"A US visa is a privilege, not a right,\" it added, saying every available tool would be used to protect American communities from those who abuse the immigration system. A US visa generally allows a foreign national to travel to an American port of entry and seek admission. It does not guarantee entry, which is decided by US immigration authorities when the traveller arrives."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/643b8ce9-46b1-4eb9-ba6d-1d6d9371dd1a_US+visa.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-08-10T17:02:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"us-revokes-more-than-175000-visas"}}]},"videos":{"edges":[{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"'Irumudi' Trailer"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aXdDtQIvOtkhB7gE_irumudi.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-08-12T13:20:00+0000","third_party_url":null},"uid":"irumudi-trailer"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"'Ramba Oorvasi Menaka' Teaser"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/VeMmBqBTJ_EOw7XS_rambhavoorvashimenaka.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-08-11T18:30:00+0000","third_party_url":null},"uid":"ramba-oorvasi-menaka-teaser"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"'Toxic' Movie Trailer"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/C68meqHgwMXfdC2G_toxic.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-08-08T18:22:00+0000","third_party_url":null},"uid":"toxic-movie-trailer"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Vishwanath and Sons Trailer"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/ahgA9bK9tuLqENie_vishwanathandsons.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-08-07T12:27:00+0000","third_party_url":null},"uid":"vishwanath-and-sons-trailer"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Nagarjuna unveils 'Pallaburusu' Trailer"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/9v3_G56cDbmvSX6e_pelliburusutrailer.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-08-07T05:42:00+0000","third_party_url":null},"uid":"pallaburusu-trailer"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"'Crazy Kalyanam' Teaser"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/iXzgGv5OgQtZoo8P_crazykalyanamteaser.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-08-01T06:59:00+0000","third_party_url":null},"uid":"crazy-kalyanam-teaser"}}]},"editorial":{"edges":[{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"T-Congress: Will Varuna Yagam Turn Into Ashwamedha Yagam?"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/X0AsBoOJ8Yr2l0Hs_VarunaYagam.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-08-12T07:42:00+0000","third_party_url":null},"uid":"t-congress-will-varuna-yagam-turn-into-ashwamedha-"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"RSS: Deploying The Script Of Obsolete Playbook?"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/x5IBIdVo1uCMDqU6_modirss.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-08-11T06:46:00+0000","third_party_url":null},"uid":"rss-deploying-the-script-of-obsolete-playbook"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"Sovereign Silence: From Mann ki Baat to Reel ki Baat"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/oGJ7J9iDUVC0cCvo_modishah.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-08-10T06:30:00+0000","third_party_url":null},"uid":"sovereign-silence-from-mann-ki-baat-to-reel-ki-baa"}},{"node":{"data":{"title":{"text":"CBN-PK: Outdoing Cicero In The Act Of Flattery?"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/JdpqQI9jrEOr91j6_modicbnpk.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-08-03T06:57:00+0000","third_party_url":null},"uid":"cbn-pk-outdoing-cicero-in-the-act-of-flattery"}}]},"gallery":{"edges":[{"node":{"tags":["gallery"],"last_publication_date":"2026-08-12T08:19:18+0000","data":{"title":{"text":"Mouni Roy Glam Stills"},"content":{"text":"Mouni Roy is an Indian actress who primarily works in Hindi television and films. One of the highest-paid television actresses in India, Roy is widely known for her portrayal of a shape-shifting snake in Naagin and its sequel Naagin 2."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/8nkSdpm8T3G0jWQk_mouniroy2028.JPG?auto=format,compress"}},"uid":"mouni-roy-glam-stills"}},{"node":{"tags":["gallery"],"last_publication_date":"2026-08-07T16:20:40+0000","data":{"title":{"text":"Vishnu Priya Latest Spicy Stills"},"content":{"text":"Vishnupriya Ramchandran Pillai (born in Bahrain), known mononymously and better as Vishnupriya, is an Indian actress, dancer and model. She started off her career participating in the dance reality show Vodafone Thakadimi which was aired on Asianet. She made her acting debut in 2007 with Speed Track, playing a supporting character. Later, she played the lead character in Keralotsavam 2009 and got noticed for her character in Penpattanam (2010)."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/EKRVCL6edvfOM1nL_vp2028.JPG?auto=format,compress"}},"uid":"vishnu-priya-latest-spicy-stills"}},{"node":{"tags":["gallery"],"last_publication_date":"2026-07-21T16:54:06+0000","data":{"title":{"text":"Shraddha Das Spicy Pics"},"content":{"text":"Shraddha Das is an Indian actress and model who predominantly appears in Telugu, Hindi, Bengali, and Kannada language films. She made her acting debut in the 2008 Telugu film Siddu from Sikakulam, and since then has worked across six different film industries throughout her career."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/J5KjgIk60wE63lRg_shraddhadas.JPG?auto=format,compress"}},"uid":"shraddha-das-spicy-pics"}},{"node":{"tags":["gallery"],"last_publication_date":"2026-07-20T16:44:06+0000","data":{"title":{"text":"Rakul Looks Radiant In Yellow Saree"},"content":{"text":"Rakul Preet Singh is an Indian actress who predominantly works in Telugu, Hindi and Tamil films. Singh is a recipient of several accolades including a SIIMA Award, in addition to four nominations at the Filmfare Awards South. Singh started her career as a model and made her acting debut with the Kannada film Gilli"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/_eGbGvnqa1VVLLAH_rps2028.JPG?auto=format,compress"}},"uid":"rakul-looks-radiant-in-yellow-saree"}},{"node":{"tags":["gallery"],"last_publication_date":"2026-07-17T12:42:16+0000","data":{"title":{"text":"Pragya Jaiswal Spicy Stills"},"content":{"text":"Pragya Jaiswal is an Indian actress and model who predominantly works in Telugu films. She made her acting debut in 2014 with the Tamil-language film Virattu in 2014. Jaiswal had her breakthrough with the Telugu period drama Kanche, for which she was awarded the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/HTcjp1FBdNZf7hDK_pragya2028.JPG?auto=format,compress"}},"uid":"pragya-jaiswal-spicy-stills"}},{"node":{"tags":["gallery"],"last_publication_date":"2026-06-27T18:04:47+0000","data":{"title":{"text":"Aakankshaa Glam Stills"},"content":{"text":"Aakankshaa Glam Stills"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aj-0fFbRV8_Qf7sW_aakankshaa.JPG?auto=format,compress"}},"uid":"aakankshaa-glam-stills"}},{"node":{"tags":["gallery"],"last_publication_date":"2026-06-27T18:04:47+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/aj-3gFbRV8_Qf7se_anasuya2028.JPG?auto=format,compress"}},"uid":"anasuya-bharadwaj-saree-pics"}},{"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"}}]},"one":{"edges":[]},"two":{"edges":[]},"three":{"edges":[{"node":{"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Venkatesh’s New Army Avatar"},"content":{"text":"The makers of director Anil Ravipudi's eagerly awaited entertainer, featuring actors Venkatesh and Anil Ravipudi in the lead, on Friday released the first look of actor Venkatesh as Lt. Colonel Venkat Reddy in the film on the occasion of the star completing 40 glorious years in the film industry.  After having unveiled Kalyan Ram’s look in the film on the occasion of his birthday, the makers on Friday unveiled the first look of Venkatesh, on the occasion of the star completing 40 glorious years in the industry.  The poster shows Venkatesh in an Indian Army camouflage uniform, sporting sunglasses and a scarf, standing beside a rugged SUV. His composed stance and intense styling establish the image of a strict military officer. The poster identifies Venkatesh as Lt. Colonel Venkat Reddy, serving in the Indian Army and specialising in counter-terrorism and hostage negotiation. The Army insignia and crossed-swords emblem in the backdrop reinforce the military setting. The muted blue-green sky, rocky terrain and imposing vehicle create a gritty, adventurous and patriotic atmosphere, while the earthy camouflage tones complement the rugged landscape.  The combination of Venkatesh and Kalyan Ram is expected to be a major attraction, as their contrasting personalities and lively camaraderie are set to bring an exciting dimension to Anil Ravipudi’s trademark brand of entertainment. Produced by Sahu Garapati under the Shine Screens banner, the film is being presented by Suresh Productions Archana, and Zee Studios. Sources say that work on the much-awaited film was progressing at a brisk pace and that the prestigious project was shaping up as a grand-scale entertainer. Keerthy Suresh stars opposite Venkatesh in the film, while Krithi Shetty is paired with Kalyan Ram. The film brings together an accomplished technical team, with GV Prakash Kumar composing its music, Sameer Reddy handling cinematography, Tammiraju taking care of the editing, and AS Prakash designing the production. S Krishna serves as the executive producer. Built on a lavish canvas and packed with humour, emotions, family drama and celebratory entertainment, #VenkyAnil5 / #NKRAR2 is being positioned as a wholesome festive entertainer. The film is slated to hit screens for Sankranthi next year."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/thYsRcmSEC9aHTCG_venkyanil.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-08-14T12:48:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"venkateshs-new-army-avatar"}}]},"four":{"edges":[{"node":{"data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"‘Korean Kanakaraju’ Sees Highs, Lows"},"content":{"text":"In a notable showing at the theaters, Varun Tej's Telugu horror comedy, 'Korean Kanakaraju,' has nearly reached the ₹20 crore mark in India net collections after its first week, closing Day 7 with an estimated ₹19.02 crore. This figure was bolstered by a modest ₹0.83 crore collected on Thursday, August 13, reflecting a significant drop of 35.7% from Wednesday's earnings of ₹1.29 crore, according to reliable box office tracking sources such as Sacnilk. The film's overall gross stands at ₹21.86 crore in India, while its overseas collection has reached ₹5 crore, culminating in a worldwide gross of approximately ₹26.86 crore. The film's trajectory in its initial week serves as an indicator of audience engagement and market reception. The performance of 'Korean Kanakaraju' has displayed an interesting pattern over its first week. Launching with a strong opening of ₹4.20 crore on its debut day, the film sustained solid collections during the opening weekend, peaking at ₹4.85 crore on Sunday. However, post-weekend figures reveal a marked decline, with daily collections subsequently dropping consistently from Monday through Thursday. The film screened in 1,666 shows on Thursday, securing an occupancy rate of 19%, which further contributed to the overall narrative of fluctuating viewer interest. As the film nears the end of its first week, the declining numbers raise questions regarding its staying power in theaters. Produced by Rajeev Reddy and Sai Babu Jagarlamudi under the banners of UV Creations and First Frame Entertainment, 'Korean Kanakaraju' is directed by Merlapaka Gandhi. The film features a cast that includes Ritika Nayak and Satya alongside Tej, providing a mix of talent that appeals to both horror and comedy enthusiasts. The plot centers around a young man from Rayalaseema whose life spirals into chaotic comedy upon the arrival of a spirit linked to Korea. This blend of cultural elements and supernatural themes adds depth to the narrative, making it an intriguing watch within the genre. As audiences reflect on the film's performance, industry analysts are closely monitoring the subsequent days' collections, particularly as Friday marks Day 8 of its theatrical run. The outcome will provide early insights into the film's ability to maintain momentum or if it will continue to wane as it progresses further into its second week. With solid initial numbers, the industry is keenly observing whether 'Korean Kanakaraju' can reclaim its footing or if the downward trend will persist, impacting its longevity in cinemas."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/OtpSnAMsUGhEbSwD_KK.JPG?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C2%2C600%2C296&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-08-14T12:19:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"korean-kanakaraju-sees-highs-lows"}}]},"five":{"edges":[]},"review":{"edges":[{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment","featured","two"],"data":{"title":{"text":"Review: 'Awarapan 2'"},"content":{"text":"Some characters become so closely associated with an actor that bringing them back after nearly two decades is a risky proposition. Shivam Pandit is one such character for Emraan Hashmi. Awarapan 2 takes that risk and, for the most part, understands why the 2007 film became a cult favourite. Directed by Nitin Kakkar, the film picks up the emotional thread of the original rather than simply recreating it. Shivam is still carrying the memory of Aaliyah when he comes across an abandoned infant girl at her grave. He takes her to an orphanage, quietly pays for her care and names her Aaliyah. When a couple later adopts the girl, Shivam convinces himself that giving her a family is the right thing to do. He soon discovers that they are connected to an international child-trafficking syndicate, and when Interpol tells him that Aaliyah has been abducted, the man who had walked away from the criminal world has no choice but to return. That premise gives Awarapan 2 a natural reason to bring Shivam back rather than forcing a reunion for nostalgia's sake. Interpol wants his help in taking down the syndicate, but Shivam's motivation is much more personal. His guilt over Aaliyah and his inability to protect her pull him back into the world he desperately wanted to leave behind. This is where the sequel expands the franchise. The first Awarapan was raw, intimate and deeply rooted in Shivam's personal transformation. The new film moves from that compact moral awakening into a larger crime thriller involving trafficking, organised crime, revenge and sacrifice. The scale is bigger, the action is more prominent and the storytelling is designed for a theatrical audience, but the emotional core remains Shivam's search for redemption. The narrative has moved from 2007 to 2026, and this genuinely feels like the next chapter rather than a film simply borrowing the name of a beloved original. A major part of that evolution comes from Vishesh Bhatt. As the co-producer of Awarapan and now the writer-producer behind Awarapan 2, Bhatt's vision of turning Awarapan into a franchise is central to the film. This isn't just a sequel made because the first film developed a cult following. There is a clear attempt to build the next chapter of Shivam Pandit's story while retaining the emotional and musical DNA of Vishesh Films. Bhatt's creative direction gives the film its larger ambition, with Kakkar and the entire team following that lead. The collaboration between Emraan Hashmi and Vishesh Films remains one of the film's strongest forces. Emraan, unsurprisingly, is the film's biggest strength, but the supporting characters deserve attention. Disha Patani plays Zara, a woman who becomes an unintentional victim of the criminal world surrounding her family. Her brother Zorawar, played by Puran Gabbi, is involved in the drug trade, and the film uses their relationship to show how crime can trap people who never chose that life. Patani gets a stronger dramatic focus and brings a vulnerability that gives Zara's portions emotional weight. Gabbi is one of the film's discoveries, bringing an unpredictability that makes Zorawar stand out without turning him into a standard gangster caricature. Shabana Azmi as Nafisa brings the expected gravitas, while Suvinder Vicky as Jaideep, Vijayant Kohli as Mehmood, Atul Kumar as Samarth and Aniruddh Rawal as Sikandar add further layers to the criminal and investigative world around Shivam. The music is where Awarapan 2 makes perhaps its most important connection with the original. Mithoon, Amaal Mallik and Jeet Gannguli carry forward the musical identity of the franchise, with lyrics by Sayeed Quadri and Rashmi Virag. The returning favourites \"Tera Mera Rishta\" and \"Toh Phir Aao\" have been reimagined by Mithoon, while \"Yeh Awarapan\", sung by Arijit Singh, adds another emotional layer. But the soundtrack is not simply a collection of songs designed to trigger nostalgia. The music is integral to the story. It carries Shivam's emotional state, builds the atmosphere and becomes part of the film's narrative language. This is also a soundtrack that deserves to be experienced in a theatre, where the sound design, scale of the compositions and visuals create a different audio-visual experience. The film also makes its marketing campaign look smarter once the story unfolds. Some of what has been shown and teased begins to make sense only after watching it, and there are elements of the narrative better experienced without knowing too much beforehand. Awarapan 2 is not merely selling the return of Emraan Hashmi or the nostalgia of its music. It is attempting to make audiences curious about what happened to Shivam and where his story goes next. The big-screen presentation adds to that appeal. Awarapan 2 succeeds because it respects where the franchise came from without pretending that cinema hasn't changed since 2007. It is bigger, more ambitious and more conventional as a thriller than the original, but it retains the grief, rage, sacrifice and search for redemption that made Shivam Pandit memorable. Vishesh Bhatt's franchise vision, Vishesh Films' creative identity, Nitin Kakkar's direction, Bilal Siddiqui's writing and Emraan Hashmi's return all work toward the same goal: taking Shivam's story forward rather than simply repeating it. Disha Patani gets a meaningful role, Puran Gabbi emerges as a genuine discovery, the supporting cast adds weight and the music remains an essential part of the experience. It may not have the same bleak intimacy as Awarapan, but that isn't what this film is trying to be. This is the 2026 chapter of Shivam Pandit's journey much bigger, louder and still carrying the same old wound. Director: Nitin Kakkar,  Cast: Emraan Hashmi, Disha Patani, Shabana Azmi, Puran Gabbi, Suvinder Vicky and others"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/nH0_7NckLLpkJ8vL_awarapan2.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-08-14T04:07:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"review-awarapan-2"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment","featured","one"],"data":{"title":{"text":"Review: 'Vishwanath and Sons'"},"content":{"text":"Despite being a Tamil hero, Surya is a hero who has a good craze in Telugu. Telugu audiences have raised their expectations as soon as he says that he is working with a Telugu director. The film Surya, which was made in a Telugu production company and directed by a Telugu director, was promoted as a Telugu film. Let's see how this film, which has huge expectations among the audience, is doing in this review. Story: Sanjay Vishwanath (Surya) is a big businessman. Sanjay, who has everything, is not interested in marriage. But his mother (Radhika) insists on marriage and having a family. Sanjay becomes a father to a baby boy through surrogacy for his mother. While he is happy with Babu, unexpected developments take place. Babu develops serious health problems. Babu needs bone marrow. Then Sanjay goes to Maddy (Mamita Baiju), who is in the US. She has to give the bone marrow to Babu. 22-year-old Maddy, who came for Babu, falls in love with 42-year-old Sanjay. Where did that love lead? Who is Maddy really? You have to watch the movie to know these things. Performance: There is no need to mention the performance of the hero Surya. Millionaire Sanjay Vishwanath impressed in the role. Surya scored 100 out of 100 marks in showing that modesty. Surya impressed in a role that shows love while appearing serious in some scenes. Overall, there is no doubt that Sanjay Vishwanath brought the character to life. Fans enjoyed the shades of Surya's character. Surya impressed with his 40+ age look. Maddy's role is very crucial in the movie. The entire first half is based on that character. Mamita Baiju appeared in the role of an orphan with no one. Generally, any heroine would look good in the role of a naughty girl. But Mamita in the role of Maddy made me laugh, cry, and get angry. She was the main attraction of the film. It seemed that Maddy's role would have been better in the second half as well. Radhika impressed in the role of Sanjay's mother. She seemed to have transformed into a small child and acted. The other actors acted and impressed within the scope of their roles. Technical: It seemed that the music director focused more on the background score than on the songs. It must be said that his hard work was rewarded. Because the background score came out well. It led some scenes in an impressive way. Let's talk about cinematography. Generally, it is easy to show the beauty of the village, but to bring a rich family look, cinematography has more work. That work is good. It would have been better if the director had worked more on the second half. The structural values ​​are good. Editing needs to be improved in the second half. Plus points: Mamita Baiju Surya Entertainment Some sentimental scenes Minus points: Second half Fights Analysis: Director Venky seems to have come up with a mature story once again. However, this time, the addition of a love story made it a youthful entertainer. Especially in the first half, the scenes with the heroine should definitely make the audience fall in love. The scenes between the hero and heroine make you laugh on one side and cry on the other. Although the second half seemed to be a bit sentimental, it ended on a positive note. There is no doubt that if the first half was as entertaining as the second half, it would have been even better if it had been more entertaining along with sentiment. Overall, this film can be watched for the heroine Mamita Baiju and for the sentimental scenes. Finally... The first half is fun, the second half is balanced with emotion. Banner: Sitara Entertainments Producer: Suryadevara Nagavamsi Director: Venky Atluri Music: G.V. Prakash Kumar Cast: Surya, Mamita Baiju, Radhika Sarath Kumar, Raveena Tandon, Nassar, Sudha and others"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/ahgA9bK9tuLqENie_vishwanathandsons.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-08-14T07:46:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"review-vishwanath-and-sons"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"title":{"text":"Review: 'Korean Kanakaraju'"},"content":{"text":"Mega hero Varun Tej, who has been greeting the audience with a series of films, has once again come to the Telugu audience with a different concept. This time, he has come to the audience with a Korean ghost concept like never before. He has attracted everyone's attention by coming to the audience with a ghost concept.  A large-scale publicity program was organized before the release. With that, a huge buzz was created. Let's see if the movie lives up to that buzz in the review. Story: Kanakaraju (Varun Tej) from Penukonda area leads a smooth life. He falls in love with Chaitra (Rithika), who works for Kia car companies. An angry Kanakaraju has a fight with a local rowdy gang. At that time, in the wake of unforeseen developments, the ashes of a person from Korea arrive in India. They reach Penugonda. The soul of the deceased Korean man enters Kanakaraju's body. Why did that soul enter Kanakaraju's body and what happens next is the rest of the story. Actors' performance: Varun Tej seems to have done 100 percent justice to the character of Kanakaraju. There is no doubt that he acted as if the angry Kanakaraju was really in front of us, and there is no doubt that the way he spoke in Korean when the Korean soul entered him took Varun's acting to another level. Varun, who maintained a good physique to match the character, also impressed with his comedy timing. It is no exaggeration to say that Varun has never done this level of comedy before. Varun impressed with his acting in the action scenes, but he could not do much with his dance. Heroine Rithika impressed with her cute looks. However, despite the importance of her role in the story, she did not get much opportunity to appear in the screenplay. The scenes with Satya were good, but Satya's dominance is clearly visible in it. Rithika impressed in two or three scenes along with her cute beauty display.  Comedian Satya appeared on the screen more than the second hero. At the same time, he impressed with his comedy. Overall, Satya's comedy was the main attraction in the film. Those who played the rest of the characters did not seem to care. Technical: The songs provided by music director Thaman seemed mediocre, but the background score was good here and there. Thaman impressed in some horror scenes. Overall, it must be said that Thaman's work is not up to his level. It would have been better if the songs were two or three good. The cinematography seems to be okay. It seemed like the focus on action scenes was reduced in order to show Korean beauties. The heroine was shown as cute. More care should have been taken in the matter of hero elevation. It would have been better if director Gandhi had rewritten the story and given a different treatment to the screenplay. The production values ​​are good. There is a possibility of trimming some of the second-off scenes. Analysis: The main attraction of the movie is the concept. It seems that director Gandhi has not been completely successful in carrying out that concept with a proper screenplay. However, he has brought the movie to a close with comedy. It is commendable that the director has chosen Satya for that role with full faith. The comedy has the potential to make the movie closer to the family audience. Since there have been no movies with the concept of a Korean ghost movie so far, this movie is sure to feel new. Director Gandhi has a reputation for making different movies.. This movie is a continuation of that. Varun Tej has fully fulfilled the responsibility assigned to him. It would have been better if he had thought better about the screenplay and worked out the horror scenes. The graphics seem poor. It seems like it was made using AI technology. Plus points: Concept, Hero heroine, True comedy Minus points: Routine horror, Graphics, Korean language. Finally... A routine horror drama that will please mega fans Banner: UV Creations Director: Merlapaka Gandhi Producer: Vamsi, Pramod Music: Thaman Cast: Varun Tej, Rithika Nayak, Satya and others"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/Ui6FbufwpUs86SxR_KoreanKanakaraju.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-08-07T06:59:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"review-korean-kanakaraju"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"title":{"text":"Review: 'Chennai Love Story'"},"content":{"text":"Small films are having a good time in Tollywood. The makers have been repeatedly saying that they are bringing this film to the audience as a content-oriented film, in the wake of the huge success of making content-oriented films. The makers who gave a super hit film like Baby have brought this film to the audience. Let's see how this film, which was released today, is like in the review. Story: Niv (Sri Gauri), who wanted to fall in love and get married, is unexpectedly cheated by her boyfriend Ajay (Trigun). He leaves her by saying that he loves another girl before the wedding. With that, Nivi turns into a lady Devadasu and becomes addicted to drinking. At that time, her friends take her to Chennai and try to change her a little. But her behavior does not change. That's when Steven Shankar (Kiran Abbavaram) steps into Chennai to show his mettle as a director. Friends help Shankar, an orphan, and allow him to stay in their room. The room is close to Nivi. At first, Shankar's words used to irritate Nivi. Slowly, she gets closer to him. Love blossoms between the two. But amidst unpredictable developments, their love runs into a problem. What is that problem and will the two meet again is the plot. Acting: Kiran Abbavaram impressed with his good acting, like in the past, he impressed with his looks as if he was the boy next door. Playing the role of an innocent person is not an easy thing. But Kiran Abbavaram played the role very easily. Kiran Abbavaram showed well in this role what an innocent person who steps into Chennai with an effort to impress the director would be like. There is no doubt that this heroine Gowry Priya  is the most crucial role in the story. She has done complete justice to her role. Siri Hanumanthu has once again impressed with her acting in a good role. She is likely to get more good roles in the future. Those who played other roles impressed within the scope of their roles. Technical: When the director thought that the story was being handled well, he tried to say something new by saying Atma Paramatma in the second half. It must be said that it failed. In terms of screenplay, the second half failed. The music was impressive, especially the background score was impressive. Manisharma once again showed his magic. Cinematography is good. There is no doubt that cinematography has definitely been useful in showing the beauty of Chennai. The dialogues are good. There are some flaws in the editing, and there is still work to be done in the second half. The structural values ​​are according to the story. Plus points: Hero, heroine acting, Manisharma's background score First off Minus points: Second half, Routine screenplay. Analysis: Producer Sai Rajesh has been making comments in several media conferences and interviews that this film is definitely a baby range cult love story, but it doesn't seem like it has any scenes. While you think that the first half of the film will be smooth and interesting, he made the second half boring by adding unnecessary elements. If the same love story had been continued simply, the second half would definitely have been a good talk. Hero Kiran Abbavaram impressed with his good performance. The audience will definitely appreciate him, and heroine Gauri also did full justice to her role. Gauri impressed in the role of a drunkard and Lady Devadasu, but it must be said that the screen did not match their performance. Overall, Chennai Love Story turned out to be an average love story. Finally... It makes feel like going all the way to Chennai for this love story Banner: Mass Movie Makers Producer: SKN, Sai Rajesh Director: Ravi Namburu Music: Mani Sharma Cast: Kiran Abbavaram, Gowri Priya, Siri and others"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/0yN9tZHPaAuq2hyg_CLS.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-07-24T08:01:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"review-chennai-love-story"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"title":{"text":"Review: 'Jana Nayakudu' "},"content":{"text":"Expectations have increased among all sections of the audience on the film Jana Nayaku, which was advertised as the last film of Tamil superstar Vijay. Although it was not officially announced that it is a remake of the film Bhagwant Kesari, which came in the combo of Balakrishna and Anil Ravipudi, the makers have been unofficially saying it.  This film, which was delayed a lot due to Tamil Nadu politics, made a royal entry without any problems as Vijay became the CM of Tamil Nadu. And how is this film? Will the audience like this story again in Telugu? Let's see in this review. Story: Vetri Kondan's (Vijay) mother dies in jail. Out of humanity, the jailer releases Vetri Kondan on parole and sends him out to see his mother for the last time. When Vetri is sent out, the jailer gets into a big problem. Vetri Kondan learns that the jailer who helped him is in trouble, and goes to his house. In the wake of unexpected developments, the jailer dies. His only daughter, Viji (Mamita Baiju), becomes an orphan.  The jailer who helped him looks after his daughter and wants to make her an army officer. But Viji says she will not join the army out of fear. Why does Vetri want to send Viji to the army? Will Viji finally join the army? What difficulties will Vetri face in doing so? This is the story. Performance: There is no need to mention anything special about Superstar Vijay's performance. Just as Balakrishna adapted to the role in Bhagwant Kesari, there is no doubt that Vijay also adapted to the role of Vetri. The screenplay was such that the entire story of the film was carried on his shoulders. Even so, Vijay acted well in every scene without giving up. There is no doubt that he impressed with his comedy timing. His fans will enjoy the action scenes to the fullest. Now that he is the CM, he has tried to show Vijay in that angle as well, which is a feast for the eyes of the fans. Since this is Vijay's last film, it seems that he gave his best. Pooja Hegde, who played the heroine, does not have much screen presence. It must be said that Pooja Hegde's screen presence is less than what Kajal Aggarwal's role was in the original Telugu version. Mamita Baiju played the role of Viji, played by Srileela in Telugu and got good marks. It seemed that Mamita did Viji's role even better than Srileela. Along with impressive looks, the two heroines gave good expressions to suit their roles. However, Pooja Hegde's role did not get priority. Mamita impressed as much as she did. Bobby Deol impressed in terms of looks. It would have been better if he had been shown as a stronger and better villain. Since the villain role was not given priority in the story, Bobby Deol's performance became like water poured on ashes. Technical: Director H Vinod tried to make the Telugu story as it is and add Tamil flavor to the screenplay. He made the story without making many changes in the first half. However, when it came to the second half, he made many changes. The entire screenplay changed as if it was a new story. Vijay's character also left the audience in a bit of a quandary. There is nothing much to say about the music. Anirudh, as usual, gave a good background score to Vijay's film. But since the songs did not have much scope, Anirudh's work did not come out much.  The cinematography is good. The cinematography is definitely good in elevating the action scenes. There are errors in the editing. Some scenes in the second half, especially the villain scenes, could have been trimmed. It would have been better if the heroine scenes that are not part of the story were also trimmed a bit. The production values ​​are good. The story was produced with added weight without detracting from it. Plus points: Vijay, Some Action Scenes, Mamita Baiju Minus points: Story, screenplay, Being a familiar story, Second half, Villain role. Analysis: The film Jana Nayakkudu, which was supposed to be released early this year, did not see its release due to censor problems due to Tamil Nadu politics. Officials said that permission could not be given for the release of the film in the wake of the assembly elections. With Vijay becoming the CM, the film Jana Nayakkudu came plowing ahead without any problems and shook the Tamil box office. This movie has been seen in Telugu before. Even though it is known that this is a remake of Balakrishna Bhagwant Kesari, many enthusiasts booked in advance and watched the movie. The movie got a good opening in Telugu states.  It is undeniable that Jana Nayakkudu could not satisfy the Telugu audience completely. Tamil audience will think aha.. oh my for Vijay Elevations. Moreover, they will like it because it is a new story, but Telugu people do not have much to like about this movie, even though the second half seems to have changed a bit, it felt like it was forced. The political elements were not set in the story at all. There is action but no emotion. The magic is missing in the screenplay. Overall, Jana Nayakkudu does not have anything new that the Telugu audience will like much. Finally... A Tamil mass leader who cannot please Telugu people. Banner: KVN Productions Producer: Venkat K. Narayan Director: H Vinod Music: Anirudh Cast: Vijay, Pooja Hegde, Mamita Baiju, Sunil, Bobby Deol and others"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/8WXmx3hoavnPTLpj_jananayakudu.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-07-23T08:18:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"review-jana-nayakudu-"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"title":{"text":"Review: 'Dhamaal 4'"},"content":{"text":"STORY: Over the years, the Dhamaal franchise has carved out a unique, bulletproof space in Bollywood, one built entirely on unapologetic, leave-your-brain-at-home comedy. Director Indra Kumar returns to this signature comfort zone scaling up the adventure with itns fourth installment. This time, the chaos revolves around a massive 100-year-old hidden treasure belonging to the legendary Shaitaan Singh. The key to its location is locked away in the faulty memory of Prithvi (Upendra Limaye). When the secret slips out, it triggers a wild, breathless race to a mysterious island marked by a giant \"M.\" Every character is out to outsmart the other to reach the khazana first, paving the way for endless confusion, wrong clues, and frantic chases. SITUATIONAL COMEDY: Chaos at Its Peak What makes Dhamaal 4 work so effectively is its reliance on situational comedy. The film throws a massive ensemble of eccentric, greedy, and hilariously unlucky individuals into bizarre environments, from wild jungle disasters to unexpected pirate encounters. The script doesn’t ask you to look for logic; instead, it invites you to surrender to the sheer ridiculousness of the situations. The first half is exceptionally fast-paced, packed with clever nods to older films in the franchise that will keep longtime fans chuckling. ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCES: The Ultimate Laughter Brigade The true strength of the film lies in its stellar ensemble cast, where Ajay Devgn leads the pack with absolute swagger alongside Sanjay Mishra, whose iconic comic timing results in sharp laugh-out-loud moments. The heartbeat of the franchise, Arshad Warsi and Jaaved Jaaferi, return with their signature electric chemistry, beautifully joined by Sanjeeda Shaikh who adds great charm to their chaotic dynamic. Riteish Deshmukh delivers a thoroughly entertaining performance with his desi flavor alongside Anjali Anand, who plays his wife Paro with a hilarious domestic touch. Stealing scenes effortlessly, Ravi Kishan brings a fresh wave of comedy as the quirky pirate leader Adhoora. Finally, Upendra Limaye is fantastic as the main catalyst of the plot with his high-energy performance, while Esha Gupta brings a wonderful charm and flair to the screen. DIRECTION, SCREENPLAY, AND MUSIC Indra Kumar proves yet again that he is a master at delivering high-energy situational comedies. The engaging screenplay keeps the audience hooked with a constant stream of rapid-fire jokes and entertaining jungle and island survival sequences. On the technical side, the massive scale of the film looks stunning on the big screen, making it a true theatrical spectacle. The music seamlessly fits this energetic narrative, with tracks like Chatni and Qeher keeping the mood light, and celebratory throughout. THE VERDICT: The Perfect Family Entertainer Dhamaal 4 is a fun-filled joyride that is tailor-made for the big screen. It effortlessly delivers on its promise of pure, non-stop entertainment from start to finish. It stands out as an excellent, wholesome entertainer that will easily appeal to all age groups, from grandparents to little kids, who will absolutely love the comedy and thrilling pirate adventures. If you are looking to share a hearty laugh with your entire family this weekend, Dhamaal 4 is a highly recommended watch! Director: Indra Kumar Cast: Ajay Devgn, Arshd Warsi, Riteish Deshmukh, Jaaved Jaaferi, Sanjay Mishra, Ravi Kishan, Upendra Limaye, Anjali Anand, Esha Gupta and Sanjeeda Shaikh"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/51qvs_NXLgg3Shrm_dhamaal3.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-07-10T04:00:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"review-dhamaal-4"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"title":{"text":"Review: 'Lenin'"},"content":{"text":"Years have passed since Akhil made his debut as a hero from the Akkineni family, yet he has not managed to achieve commercial success. Consequently, fans' confidence in him has been waning. At this juncture, Akhil has worked hard on the movie 'Lenin' with great hope. Let us see how the movie fares in this review. Story: The story unfolds in a remote village in Andhra Pradesh. Lenin (Akhil) arrives as an orphan in a village named Sriramapuram. A woman, who is the village head, takes him under her wing and raises him just like her own son. Her son, Vasanth, and Lenin become best friends. While Vasanth pursues his studies and becomes a doctor, Lenin stays back in the village and becomes an integral part of everyone's lives. It has become a tradition for the village's prestigious 18-day festival to be conducted under Lenin's supervision every year. During one such festival, Lenin sees Bharati (Bhagyashree) and falls in love with her. This romance marks a turning point in the entire story. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Vasanth is compelled to marry Bharathi. Meanwhile, Lenin ends up in prison. The story revolves around why Lenin went to jail and whether Vasanth actually marries Bharathi. Performances: As has been noted from the start, it is evident on screen that Akhil has put in a great deal of effort for this film. There is no doubt that this is a distinctively different role compared to the characters he has played previously. Furthermore, he successfully molded himself to fit the character, displaying impressive range and variations in his acting. He also adopted a fresh style of dialogue delivery for this movie. Visually, he is impressive, and in the action sequences, he comes across as a high-voltage action hero; he delivers exactly what fans desire. Beyond the action, he also impresses in the romantic scenes. The heroine, Bhagyashree, charms the audience with her beauty—something she has done in several previous films. However, in this movie, she also impresses with her acting prowess where the script demands it. She certainly leaves a mark on the role assigned to her, though one cannot help but feel that her character could have been written with more depth.  The supporting cast also delivers impressive performances within the scope of their roles; Eswari Rao, Pramod, and Brahmaji, in particular, stand out with their acting.  Technical: The director needed to work a bit more on the story, though he did try to make an impact with the screenplay. He succeeded in engaging the audience during the opening 10–15 minutes, effectively building suspense and sparking curiosity about what would unfold next. However, the dialogues could have been sharper. Thaman delivered a decent musical score, as always; however, there were certain scenes where one felt he could have done more with the background music. The cinematography is impressive—crucial for a film set against a village backdrop. There are minor flaws in the editing, but the production values ​​are good. Plus points: Akhil Akkineni, Jathara (fair) scenes The plot twist Minus points: Some dragged-out scenes Background score Story and screenplay Analysis: There is no doubt that the film lived up to the high expectations of Akkineni fans. However, it remains to be seen how well the general audience will receive it. Akhil had stated from the beginning that he worked very hard for this film, and that effort is clearly visible on screen. The director aimed to present something fresh;...yet, the film would have been even better with more work on the story and a tighter screenplay. It must be noted that there was a lack of sufficient commercial elements to appeal to all sections of the audience, not just the fans. The music also felt a bit underwhelming. Akhil fulfilled his role with 100% commitment; however, the director failed to craft a strong screenplay for the supporting characters, leaving them with little scope to showcase their true acting potential. Overall, this village-based drama manages to engage the audience and appeals to fans. Final verdict: Akhil Akkineni impresses the fans Banner: Sithara Entertainments, Manam Enterprises Producers: Suryadevara Naga Vamsi, Akkineni Nagarjuna Director: Murali Kishore Music: Thaman Cast: Akhil, Bhagyashree, Eeshwari Rao, Pramod, Brahmaji, and others"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/SNyf-1iLls6NrA-j_lenin.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-07-10T07:34:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"review-lenin"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"title":{"text":"Review: 'Rao Bahadur'"},"content":{"text":"Satyadev has carved a unique niche for himself as an actor by choosing diverse films. Meanwhile, director Venkatesh Maha has already earned a strong reputation for delivering distinctive movies. Expectations soared when a superstar like Mahesh Babu stepped forward to present this collaboration between the two. Let us see in this review whether the film lives up to those expectations. Story: Bhuvanam Ramappa Rao Bahadur (Satyadev), a man of royal lineage, grapples with severe mental turmoil in his old age. He harbors suspicions regarding his younger son, Kusumappa—who passed away in childhood—doubting whether the boy was truly his biological son. Driven by this doubt, he clings to life for years despite suffering from cancer. Ramappa’s wife, Renuka, is also confined to a single room. The story unfolds by exploring the reasons behind Ramappa’s condition and Renuka’s confinement, as well as how it was ultimately confirmed that Kusumappa was indeed Ramappa’s son. Performances: A notable aspect of the film is that, apart from Satyadev, the entire cast consists of newcomers. It is commendable that Satyadev committed to such a role; not every actor could pull off a character like this. He delivered a brilliant performance, nailing the makeover, expressions, and body language. Satyadev truly embodied the persona of a scion of the Rao Bahadur lineage. He impressed everyone with a look that perfectly captured the persona of an elderly king. Furthermore, Satyadev deserves full marks for his acting and dialogue delivery. Generally, young heroes are reluctant to take on such roles, but Satyadev put in immense effort to breathe life into this character. It was revealed that the makeup process took four hours; seeing the 'Ramappa' character on screen, one feels that the actual time spent on makeup might have been even longer. Deepa Thomas, playing the female lead, impressed with her distinctive look. There is a growing opinion that she might secure good opportunities in Tollywood in the future. Vikas Muppala also impressed with his acting, and the supporting cast performed well within the scope of their roles. Venkatesh Maha, appearing in a guest role, also made a strong impression. Technical: Director Venkatesh Maha presented a completely fresh concept to the audience. However, the narrative pacing felt somewhat tedious. The first half moved slowly. While he attempted to pick up the pace in the second half, the twists introduced towards the end felt unintentionally funny. He failed in the attempt to blend humor into what otherwise seemed like a serious story. Some of the dialogues were good. The cinematography was impressive; it effectively brought the atmosphere of the 1960s and 1990s to life. The music was also decent. The songs failed to impress, but the background score was certainly impressive. The production values ​​are good; it is truly commendable that such a significant budget was allocated for an experimental story like this. There are flaws in the editing; some scenes in the first half should have been trimmed. Overall, the film would have benefited from a runtime reduction of 20 to 25 minutes. Analysis: Director Venkatesh attempted an experiment by utilizing a talented actor like Satyadev. Satyadev deserves praise for agreeing to be part of this experimental project. The story revolves around the consequences arising from a suspicion harbored by an elderly man. In an era where films generally achieve commercial success only with compelling storylines and narratives, Director Venkatesh brought this film to the audience without worrying about how such an experiment would be received. He attempted to drive the film using screenplay wizardry. Although the story itself is simple, his execution deserves appreciation. However, the inclusion of more thrilling elements would have improved the film; the first half, in particular, is somewhat underwhelming. The climax manages to generate interest, though the final twist lacks a sense of realism. Ultimately, instead of leaving the audience with the impression of having watched a serious film, the movie ends up feeling more like a comedy.  Plus Points: Satyadev Background music, cinematography Second half, climax Minus Points: Boring first half Illogical scenes Climax twist Verdict: 'Rao Bahadur' is for those looking to watch a thriller rather than a regular commercial movie. Banner: Sree Chakras Entertainments, Mahayana Motion Pictures Producers: Anurag Reddy, Sharath Chandra, Chinta Gopalakrishna Reddy, Eswaran Vijayaraghavan Directior: Venkatesh Maha Music: Smaran Sai Cast: Satyadev, Deepa Thomas, Vikas Muppala, Bala Parasar, Kunal Kaushik, and others"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/ruDZrQh1uyTKyATR_RaoBahadur.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-07-03T09:26:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"review-rao-bahadur"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"title":{"text":"Review: 'Nagabandham' "},"content":{"text":"South makers have done wonders once again. At a time when audiences are craving larger-than-life cinematic experiences rooted in Indian culture and mythology, Nagabandham arrives as an ambitious spectacle that blends mystery, mythology, fantasy and adventure into an engrossing big-screen entertainer. Foremost credit goes to the producers Nishitha Nagireddy and Kishore Annapureddy, the duo under the banners of NIK Studios and Abhishek Pictures, have given the film the scale, craft and budget it demands. The budget, the scale and the vision of the film is at par in comparison with some of the biggies. Mounted on a lavish scale, the film starts on a very intriguing note and right from the first frame it captures you into the world, the drama. As it progresses it continues to impresses with its visual ambition, the character introduction, immersive world-building and sincere storytelling, making it one of the most ambitious pan-India releases of the year. Without wasting any single time the film sticks to the subject. The unfolding of mysterious universe where ancient secrets, divine legends and hidden treasures shape the narrative. Rather than rushing through its mythology, the film gradually builds intrigue around the ancients and what 'Nagabandham' is. This measured approach keeps the audience invested while continuously expanding the film's rich cinematic universe. The film begins with the impresive introduction of Rishabh Sawhney who is olayiytge main antagonist in the film and then transports us to the drama that is very interesting. Director Abhishek Nama deserves appreciation for attempting a genre that demands conviction and imagination. His vision remains consistent throughout, balancing mythology with fantasy while ensuring the emotional core never gets lost beneath the visual grandeur. The screenplay unfolds like an adventure, introducing fresh mysteries at regular intervals and maintaining curiosity until the very end. Visuals are Nagabandham's undoubtedly the biggest strengths. Every frame reflects meticulous craftsmanship, from magnificent temple architecture and ancient kingdoms to breathtaking action sequences and mystical landscapes. The production values are first-rate, while the VFX complement the storytelling without overwhelming it. The film consistently feels designed for the biggest screens. Virat Karrna, who is essaying the main protoganist delivers a confident performance, carrying the narrative with sincerity and intensity. Nabha Natesh lends grace and emotional depth to her character, while Rishabh Sawhney leaves a strong impression with his commanding screen presence in the character of the main antagonist. Mahesh Manjrekar stands out in a pivotal role of saint ,adding gravitas whenever he appears. Daksha Nagarkar and the supporting cast contribute effectively, making the expansive world feel believable. The action choreography especially the Interval block and CLIMAX deserves special mention. Instead of relying solely on spectacle, the action sequences are integrated into the mythology, making every confrontation feel purposeful. Several moments involving serpents, ancient rituals and large-scale battles generate genuine goosebumps and showcase the makers' ambition. Technically, Nagabandham is polished across departments. The cinematography captures both the grandeur and mysticism beautifully, while the background score elevates the emotional and adventurous moments. The editing keeps the narrative engaging despite the film's expansive scale, and the sound design enhances the theatrical experience. One of the film's biggest achievements is how it respects Indian mythology while presenting it through an entertaining fantasy-adventure lens. Rather than merely recreating familiar legends, it creates its own mythology-inspired universe that feels fresh and cinematic. If there is one area where the film occasionally slows down, it is during portions dedicated to explaining the mythology, which may slightly affect the pace. However, the narrative quickly regains momentum with compelling twists, visually stunning sequences and emotionally satisfying payoffs. With Nagabandham, South filmmakers once again demonstrate why they continue to lead the way in creating ambitious, pan-India cinematic spectacles. The film combines mythology, fantasy, adventure and emotion into an entertaining package that is tailor-made for the theatrical experience. For audiences looking for a grand visual adventure filled with mystery, ancient legends, spectacular action and impressive world-building, Nagabandham is a rewarding watch. Banner: NIK Studios, Abhishek Pictures Producer: Nishitha Nagireddy, Kishore Annapureddy Director: Abhishek Nama Cast: John Vijay, Nabha Natesh, Iswarya Menon, Mahesh Manjrekar and others"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/S_t-IVjB2yqa78-Q_nagabandham.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-07-02T16:30:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"review-nagabandham-"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"title":{"text":"Review: 'Welcome To The Jungle'"},"content":{"text":"There was a time when Bollywood regularly produced big, unapologetic comedy entertainers that families could watch together. Films weren't trying to preach, surprise audiences with complicated twists or leave behind social messages. They existed for one simple reason—to make people laugh. Welcome To The Jungle embraces exactly that philosophy, and that's what makes it work. Director Ahmed Khan doesn't try to reinvent the Welcome franchise. Instead, he understands its DNA and amplifies it. The laughs are bigger, the cast is bigger, the scale is grander and the madness is turned up several notches. The result is a film that knows exactly what it wants to be—and rarely loses sight of it. The story itself is delightfully ridiculous. A billionaire comes up with an absurd plan to convert his black money into losses by deliberately producing a flop film. To execute this bizarre mission, he assembles a film full of struggling stars, forgotten heroes and eccentric personalities. Among them are Yeda Anna (Suniel Shetty), the brother of Anna from the Welcome universe, and Romeo (Arshad Warsi), Majnu's equally eccentric brother. Just when the production begins, an Income Tax raid wipes out the financier's money, forcing the crew to abandon the expensive setup and continue the shoot in a remote village with real people—while the actors remain blissfully convinced that everything happening around them is part of the script. From there, the film spirals into complete comic chaos involving mistaken identities, fake heroics, terrorists, villagers and nonstop confusion. If there is one actor who reminds audiences why he has ruled Bollywood comedy for decades, it is Akshay Kumar. This is comfortably one of his strongest comic performances in recent years. His expressions, dialogue delivery, body language and effortless timing hold the enormous ensemble together without trying to dominate it. He lets the humour breathe and trusts the situations to generate laughs. Suniel Shetty is undoubtedly one of the film's biggest surprises. His Yeda Anna is wonderfully eccentric and consistently entertaining, delivering several laugh-out-loud moments. Arshad Warsi slips into the franchise's familiar madness with ease, while Lara Dutta, as the Army trainer preparing the clueless actors, adds another enjoyable layer to the comedy. The supporting cast is where the film truly shines. Veterans like Paresh Rawal, Johnny Lever and Rajpal Yadav prove once again why they remain among Hindi cinema's finest comic performers. But the film's biggest scene-stealers are undoubtedly Farida Jalal and Kiran Kumar. Every single time they appear on screen, the theatre erupts in laughter. Farida Jalal's delightfully confused character, speaking in her own hilarious gibberish language, becomes one of the film's biggest highlights. Kiran Kumar matches her brilliantly with his exaggerated, heavily Urdu-laced dialogues delivered with complete conviction. Their chemistry, impeccable comic timing and effortless performances produce some of the loudest laughs in the film. There's another emotional layer that longtime Bollywood lovers will instantly appreciate. Watching Akshay Kumar reunite with Suniel Shetty and Raveena Tandon brings back memories of an era when entertainers were built around fun rather than formulas. Thankfully, these reunions never feel forced. They blend naturally into the narrative while allowing the film to create its own identity instead of living entirely on nostalgia. Managing such a massive ensemble is never easy, yet Ahmed Khan deserves credit for ensuring almost every actor gets at least one memorable moment. Despite featuring dozens of familiar faces, the screenplay rarely feels overcrowded. The humour constantly shifts between situational comedy, visual gags, witty one-liners, misunderstandings and complete comic mayhem, ensuring the energy rarely drops. The adventure angle also gives the franchise a refreshing twist. Instead of repeating the exact template of the earlier films, Welcome To The Jungle expands its canvas with larger action set pieces and a more adventurous narrative while still retaining the flavour that fans associate with the franchise. Visually, the film looks colourful and vibrant. The production design suits the exaggerated world perfectly, while the songs arrive naturally without disturbing the pace. The background score effectively enhances both the comic situations and the action sequences. What deserves appreciation is that the film never pretends to be more intelligent than it is. It doesn't chase awards, social commentary or emotional manipulation. It simply focuses on entertaining its audience for over two hours—and judging by the laughter echoing through the auditorium, it succeeds. Welcome To The Jungle is designed for the big-screen experience. Many jokes become funnier because they are enjoyed collectively. The whistles, applause and laughter inside a packed theatre become an extension of the film itself. That's something no OTT platform can replicate. Directed by Ahmed Khan, the film boasts one of the biggest ensemble casts in recent Hindi cinema, featuring Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Disha Patani, Jacqueline Fernandez, Arshad Warsi, Jackie Shroff, Paresh Rawal, Raveena Tandon, Lara Dutta, Farida Jalal, Johnny Lever, Shreyas Talpade, Tusshar Kapoor, Rajpal Yadav, Krushna Abhishek, Kiku Sharda, Daler Mehndi, Aftab Shivdasani, Mukesh Tiwari, Yashpal Sharma, Kiran Kumar, Zakir Hussain, Vindu Dara Singh, Urvashi Rautela, Hemant Pandey, Brijendra Kala, Feroze Khan (Arjun), Late Pankaj Dheer, Puneet Issar, Sudesh Berry, Jeetu Verma, Vrihi Kodvara, Adityaa Singgh and Bhagya Bhanushali. Presented by A.A. Nadiadwala, Cape of Good Films and Star Studios in association with Seeta Films and Rakesh Dang, the film is a Base Industries Group production produced by Rakesh Dang and Vedant Vikaas Baali, and produced by Firoz A. Nadiadwala. If your expectation is meaningful cinema, look elsewhere. But if you simply want to laugh, switch off your brain and enjoy a grand Bollywood entertainer with your family, Welcome To The Jungle delivers exactly what it promises. Sometimes, that's more than enough. Director : Ahmed Khan, Producer : Firoz A Nadiadwala Cast : Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Arshad Warsi and others"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aj1hFVbRV8_Qf44R_welcometothejungle.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-06-25T15:45:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"review-welcome-to-the-jungle"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"title":{"text":"Review: 'Cocktail 2'"},"content":{"text":"Some relationships don’t end because people stop loving each other. They end because love alone isn’t always enough. Backed by Maddock Films and producer Dinesh Vijan, a banner known for delivering some of the most memorable entertainers and relationship dramas in recent years, Cocktail 2 is yet another winner. Directed by Homi Adajania, the film explores modern relationships with warmth, maturity and emotional honesty, resulting in a story that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable. While the original film thrived on youthful chaos, Cocktail 2 takes a more mature route. It examines what happens when comfort begins to replace excitement, when commitment feels heavier than romance, and when life forces people to question whether the relationship they’ve built is still the one they truly want. The Story: Kunal (Shahid Kapoor) and Diya (Rashmika Mandanna) have been together for years. What started as a college romance has survived distance, changing priorities and the challenges of adulthood. Their relationship is comfortable, familiar and seemingly stable, but beneath the surface, cracks have begun to appear. Diya finds herself grappling with expectations around marriage and commitment, while Kunal continues holding on to a version of their relationship that may no longer exist. Their lives take an unexpected turn during a trip to Sicily, where they meet Ally (Kriti Sanon), a free spirited woman who lives entirely on her own terms. As the three grow closer, the film gradually unfolds into something far more complex than a traditional love triangle. Friendships blur into emotional attachments, loyalties are tested and difficult questions emerge about love, compatibility and personal happiness. What makes the narrative work is that it never reduces its characters to heroes or villains. Everyone is flawed, everyone makes mistakes and that honesty gives the film its emotional weight. Performances: Shahid Kapoor delivers one of his most mature performances in recent years. Kunal is a character filled with contradictions and Shahid captures every shade beautifully. Whether he’s expressing quiet heartbreak, frustration or vulnerability, he keeps the audience invested throughout. Rashmika Mandanna brings warmth and authenticity to Diya. Many of her moments feel incredibly relatable, particularly when she navigates the pressures placed on women regarding relationships and life choices. She handles both the lighter and emotionally intense scenes with confidence and restraint. Kriti Sanon is exceptional as Ally. What initially appears to be a carefree and impulsive character slowly reveals surprising emotional depth. Kriti balances Ally’s charm, unpredictability and vulnerability effortlessly, creating one of the film’s most memorable performances. Together, the trio share terrific chemistry. Their interactions feel natural and lived-in, making every friendship, confrontation and emotional conflict feel genuine. Kriti and Rashmika also share some thoroughly entertaining moments, adding another engaging layer to the film’s relationship dynamics. Writing, Dialogues and Relationships: One of the film’s biggest strengths is its writing. The relationships feel layered and believable, with conversations that reflect how people actually communicate rather than how movie characters are expected to speak. The dialogues are sharp, mature and emotionally effective. Several confrontations land with impact because they come from a place of truth rather than melodrama. The film consistently keeps you invested in its characters and the choices they make, while balancing romance, friendship and self-discovery with remarkable ease. Music and Visuals: Pritam’s music blends seamlessly into the storytelling, elevating both the emotional and romantic moments. The songs never interrupt the narrative and instead become a natural extension of it. Visually, the film is stunning. Sicily provides a breathtaking backdrop, with every frame looking postcard worthy without ever feeling excessive. The cinematography, fashion and overall production design add tremendous richness to the viewing experience, making the film as beautiful to look at as it is emotionally engaging. What Could Have Worked Better: A few emotional stretches in the latter half could have been slightly more concise. The Verdict: Cocktail 2 is a beautifully crafted film about love, friendship, self discovery and the difficult choices that come with growing up. It doesn’t offer easy answers and that’s precisely what makes it work. Produced by Maddock Films and Luv Films, backed by outstanding performances from Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon and Rashmika Mandanna, thoughtful writing, gorgeous visuals and strong emotional payoffs, the film delivers a deeply satisfying experience. A heartfelt, visually stunning and emotionally resonant drama that reminds us that sometimes the hardest part of love isn’t finding it, it’s understanding what to do with it once you have it. The result is a relationship drama that stays with you long after the credits roll. Banner: Maddock Films and Luv Films Producer: Dinesh Vijan Director: Homi Adajania Music: Pritam Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, Kriti Sanon and others"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/ah7YRgeQX7-eWjSA_cocktail2.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-06-19T04:48:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"review-cocktail-2"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"title":{"text":"Review: 'Maa Inti Bangaram'"},"content":{"text":"At a time when it was widely assumed Samantha had limited her career to Bollywood, all eyes are on this Telugu film she has undertaken. It is well known that Samantha has previously worked under Nandini Reddy's direction; their collaboration naturally generates positive buzz. Furthermore, expectations have soared because the film is produced by Raj Nidimoru. Let us see in this review whether the movie lives up to those expectations. Story: Swarna (Samantha), who entered into a love marriage with Anirudh (Diganth Manchale), steps into her in-laws' home after a long time due to certain circumstances. She struggles to fit into the joint family environment. Despite the difficulties, she makes earnest efforts to bond with the family members and win their approval. Swarna carries a past—a flashback—associated with her love marriage. This flashback becomes the source of emerging problems within her in-laws' household.  What are these problems? What exactly is Swarna's flashback? To find out what Swarna did at her in-laws' house, one simply has to watch the movie. Performances: Samantha’s acting needs no special introduction. The action sequences she performed in this film are impressive; seeing her execute action scenes while dressed in a traditional saree felt fresh and novel. She delivered a performance that felt distinct—and even better—than her work in previous films. Beyond action, she also showcased her acting prowess in emotional and dramatic scenes. It is evident that she poured her experience into the role, truly doing justice to the character of Swarna. Her appearance seemed slightly different compared to the past, but that change suited the character perfectly.  Overall, Samantha succeeded in fully justifying the role she chose. The supporting cast performed well within the scope of their roles; Gulshan Devaiah, in particular, stood out, and his portrayal of the villain was impressive. Gautami had limited screen time but made a good impression within that scope. Sreemukhi also impressed with a different look. Technical: Director Nandini Reddy has once again presented a unique concept to the audience, and her direction is impressive. The storytelling and screenplay could have benefited from a bit more detail. Some of the dialogues are excellent, particularly those in the emotional scenes, which are truly touching. The music is decent; one or two songs have already gained popularity among the audience, though there isn't much else to highlight regarding the soundtrack beyond those tracks.  However, the background score was impressive. The cinematography was good; Om Prakash’s work made the action scenes appear quite realistic, ensuring the film remained engaging. The cinematography also deserves praise for how it presented Samantha’s look. The production values ​​align well with the story. Apart from minor editing flaws, everything else was solid. Analysis: The mere mention of a Samantha film generates audience interest comparable to that of movies starring big male stars. Director Nandini Reddy lived up to this expectation by weaving the story around a massive flashback sequence, much like those seen in big-star films. However, there are some illogical scenes. More care could have been taken with the dramatic elements; specifically, the portrayal of the new daughter-in-law's conduct in her in-laws' home didn't feel quite right.  Additionally, there were some issues in seamlessly connecting the flashback episode to the present-day narrative. An effort was made to deliver good entertainment. Overall, the film appeals to the average viewer, particularly family audiences. If one overlooks a few illogical scenes, the movie is enjoyable. It is a must-watch for Samantha’s fans and serves as a good \"time-pass\" movie for general audiences. Plus Points: Samantha, Flashback scenes, Action sequences.  Minus Points: Some illogical scenes, Boring moments here and there, Lack of mass elements. Verdict: A film that Samantha's fans will appreciate Banner: Tralala Moving Pictures Producers: Samantha, Raj Nidimoru, Himank Reddy Duvvuru Director: B.V. Nandini Reddy Music: Santhosh Narayanan Cast: Samantha, Sreemukhi, Gulshan Devaiah, Diganth Manchale, Gautami, Srinivas Gavireddy, and others"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/ajUbm41P9HI4UuRN_MIB.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-06-19T07:36:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"review-maa-inti-bangaram"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"title":{"text":"Review: 'Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai'"},"content":{"text":"Some films are designed to make you think. Others are designed to make you laugh till your cheeks hurt. Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, directed by David Dhawan, proudly belongs to the latter category. Loaded with misunderstandings, larger-than-life characters, romance, family drama and non-stop comedy, the film embraces the classic Bollywood entertainer template and delivers exactly what it promises. Written by David Dhawan with screenplay by Yunus Sajawal and dialogues by Farhad Samji, the film thrives on its energetic storytelling and unapologetically chaotic humour. The Story: At the heart of the film is Jass, a lovable and impulsive man whose life takes an unexpected turn when personal relationships, family expectations and a series of unfortunate circumstances collide at the same time. Without revealing too much, the story follows Jass as he finds himself caught in an increasingly complicated situation involving his estranged wife Baani and Preet, a woman who unexpectedly enters his life. What begins as a relationship drama soon snowballs into a full-fledged comedy of errors, leading to a chain of misunderstandings, secrets and hilarious situations. The narrative constantly throws Jass from one problem into another, ensuring there is never a dull moment. While the premise is outrageous, the film fully commits to its madness, making the ride entertaining from start to finish. Performances: Varun Dhawan is in his element as Jass. His comic timing, boundless energy and natural screen presence carry the film effortlessly. He understands the rhythm of David Dhawan's brand of comedy and delivers a performance that is both charming and consistently entertaining. Mrunal Thakur brings warmth and emotional depth to Baani, ensuring that the character remains relatable amidst the chaos unfolding around her. She balances the film's emotional moments effectively and shares a comfortable chemistry with Varun. Pooja Hegde lights up the screen as Preet. Confident, glamorous and full of spark, she adds freshness to the narrative and keeps the momentum alive whenever she appears. Among the supporting cast, Maniesh Paul is a scene stealer, delivering several laugh-out-loud moments with effortless ease. Jimmy Sheirgill, Chunky Pandey, Kubbra Sait, Rakesh Bedi and Mouni Roy contribute well to the ensemble, each adding their own flavour to the madness. Dialogues and Humour: Farhad Samji's dialogues play a major role in keeping the entertainment quotient high. The punchlines land well, the situational comedy works and several one-liners are likely to draw applause from audiences in packed theatres. The film embraces old-school Bollywood comedy while updating it for contemporary viewers, creating a blend that feels familiar yet accessible. Music and Technical Aspects: The music complements the film's upbeat tone, while the vibrant visuals and colourful production design add to its festive appeal. David Dhawan keeps the pace brisk for most parts, ensuring the narrative rarely loses momentum. What Could Have Worked Better: Some comedic stretches feel slightly overextended and a few situations require audiences to completely suspend disbelief. However, these are minor concerns in a film that is more interested in entertaining than being realistic. Final Word: Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai is a quintessential David Dhawan entertainer that embraces confusion, comedy and chaos with complete conviction. Powered by Varun Dhawan's infectious energy, solid support from Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, the film delivers a thoroughly enjoyable big-screen experience. If you're looking for logic, this may not be your destination. If you're looking for laughter, fun and a dose of classic Bollywood masala, this film delivers in abundance."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aiKZMAeQX7-eW1yO_HaiJawaniTohIshqHonaHai.jpg?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-06-05T03:39:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"review-hai-jawani-toh-ishq-hona-hai"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"title":{"text":"Review: 'Peddi'"},"content":{"text":"Buchi Babu grabbed everyone's attention with his debut film, 'Uppena'. Having grossed over 100 crores with his very first movie, he caught the eye of several star heroes. Even NTR expressed interest in working with him. A project with NTR was confirmed; however, for various reasons, it never materialized.  Buchi Babu subsequently spent the last two years collaborating closely with Ram Charan to bring this film to life. Given the massive hype surrounding it, let's see how the movie actually turned out in this review. Story: The story of 'Peddi' revolves around the journey of a 'sports laborer'—a man named Peddi (Ram Charan)—who is driven by an unwavering determination to showcase the existence of his village to the world. Hailing from a village that doesn't even have a name, Peddi earns his livelihood as a sports laborer. While he has built a good reputation as a cricketer, he eventually comes to believe that true recognition for his village can be achieved not through cricket, but through wrestling. However, recognition for the village does not come through wrestling either. So, how did the entire world eventually come to talk about this nameless village—exactly as 'Peddi' had wished? What daring feat did 'Peddi' undertake to make that happen? That forms the crux of the story.  Performances: Ram Charan’s performance is magnificent. Throughout the entire first half of the film, he captivates the audience in his role as a cricketer. He appears to execute spectacular shots, just like a professional cricketer would; indeed, one feels as though they are watching a genuine cricketer in Ram Charan. It is often said that Ram Charan naturally excels in emotional scenes, and there is absolutely no doubt that he truly lived the emotional moments leading up to the interval and during the film's climax. Furthermore, he elevated the musical numbers to extraordinary heights through his dancing—going above and beyond what was expected. Ram Charan showcases his absolute best dancing skills in this movie. He also impresses equally in both the action sequences and the sports-centric scenes. As for the female lead, Janhvi Kapoor—while she is credited as the heroine, she has very little scope to perform and is not an integral part of the core narrative. Moreover, her screen presence is shockingly brief. Janhvi Kapoor practically disappears entirely during the second half of the film. However, it must be noted that she did manage to grab some attention in the first half by flaunting her physique.  Jagapathi Babu, who appears in the first half, delivers a captivating performance in his emotional scenes. Meanwhile, Kannada superstar Shivarajkumar impresses in his role as a wrestling mentor; his mere look alone wins over half the audience, and his acting prowess requires no special mention. Finally, it must be stated that none of the other supporting characters were given any significant prominence. Technical: The film's music has been a prominent topic of discussion right from the very beginning. Director Buchi Babu made a deliberate and specific choice to enlist A.R. Rahman as the music director for the film. Consequently, everyone anticipated that 'Peddi' would capture the audience's attention primarily through its musical elements. True to expectations, the songs proved to be a resounding success. Furthermore, the background score was equally impressive; with the exception of one or two isolated moments, Rahman's background music was captivating throughout the rest of the film. The cinematography also earns high marks. A commendable effort was made to authentically depict the atmosphere and conditions of the 1990s era. The camera work was particularly effective in a few sequences—most notably during the sports scenes. The first half of the film felt somewhat dragged out, suggesting that the editing could have been tighter. The production values, however, were excellent. Director Buchi Babu selected a compelling core concept; yet, it felt as though he was unable to craft a screenplay that did full justice to that premise. Some of the dialogues were well-written. Analysis: Buchi Babu has garnered a strong reputation as a director who managed to achieve a ₹100-crore box office collection with his very first film. Moreover, since the outset, there has been considerable buzz suggesting that he is in no way inferior to his mentor, Sukumar. Reports have surfaced claiming that this particular story—which was originally penned with NTR in mind—was ultimately filmed with Ram Charan. Leaving aside the veracity of those reports, it appears that Ram Charan gave his approval to the project based solely on the strength of the story's core premise. However, watching the film makes it evident that a compelling premise alone is not sufficient to carry an entire movie. The narrative centers on the protagonist participating in three distinct sports to showcase the existence and identity of his hometown to the world. Given this premise, it was imperative that the portrayal of these specific sports be significantly elevated and given greater prominence within the film. Apart from cricket, no other sport was given significant prominence.  The first half dragged on in a boring manner. The second half was somewhat passable, barring a few emotional scenes. It must be said that Director Buchi Babu failed to effectively showcase the sports elements—which are absolutely crucial to the screenplay. With the exception of a few sequences, the majority of the film feels tedious. However, there is no doubt that this serves as a delightful treat for Ram Charan's fans. Viewed from a fan's perspective, the film earns high marks; yet, it must be acknowledged that for a regular moviegoer, it may not quite hit the mark. Plus Points: Ram Charan A few sports sequences The songs Minus Points: The slow pacing of the first half The screenplay The heroine's role The lack of prominence given to the villains Conclusion... The 'Peddi' games are boring. Banners: Vriddhi Cinemas, Mythri Movie Makers Producers: Venkata Satish Kilaru, Ishan Saxena Direction: Buchi Babu Music: A.R. Rahman Cast: Ram Charan, Janhvi Kapoor, Shiva Rajkumar, Jagapathi Babu, Divyendu, Boman Irani, Upendra, Satya, Chammak Chandra, and others"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aiCF9AeQX7-eWrDe_peddi.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-06-03T19:52:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"review-peddi"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"title":{"text":"Review: Made in India – A Titan Story"},"content":{"text":"Rarely does a series manage to be both inspiring and cinematically gripping—but Made in India – A Titan Story achieves exactly that, and does it with remarkable finesse. The Story: Where Vision Meets Legacy   At its core, the series is a tribute to belief—the kind that builds institutions. It traces the journey of Xerxes Desai, a man driven by vision, and the unwavering faith J.R.D. Tata placed in him. What unfolds is not just the story of Titan Watches, but of an idea that refused to stay small. It is about ambition, risk, and the quiet power of trust that turns dreams into legacy. Performances That Stay With You   Jim Sarbh delivers one of his most layered performances to date. His portrayal of Xerxes Desai is controlled yet deeply emotional, capturing the vulnerability and determination of a man chasing something bigger than himself. Naseeruddin Shah, as J.R.D. Tata, is understated brilliance. Even with limited screen time, his presence defines the emotional spine of the series—commanding, graceful, and quietly powerful. The ensemble cast adds richness to the narrative. Each character feels lived-in and purposeful—whether it’s Namita Dubey’s sincerity, Lakshveer Saran’s emotional weight, or Kaveri Seth’s authenticity. Supporting performances from Vaibhav Tatwawadi, Paresh Ganatra, Ashwath Bhatt, Viraf Patel, Joy Sengupta, and Prateeksha Lonkar create a world that feels real and immersive. Craft, Scale, and Storytelling :  Director Robbie Grewal handles the material with precision and maturity, allowing the story to breathe while maintaining a steady narrative grip. The storytelling never feels rushed, yet never loses momentum. The writing by Karan Vyas is sharp and confident, with dialogues that feel organic yet impactful. Visually, the show carries a cinematic scale—elegant production design, carefully chosen locations, and a background score that subtly amplifies the emotional beats. The integration of classic music adds texture without overwhelming the narrative. Final Word: Backing a story like this requires both courage and conviction, and Almighty Motion Picture deserves credit for bringing it to life. Co-produced with T-Series Films, Made in India – A Titan Story is not just a series—it’s an experience that fills you with immense pride for India and reminds you of the power of vision, perseverance, and nation-building. Patriotism naturally seeps in as the story unfolds. It’s one of a kind story that inspires, engages, and stays with you long after it ends."},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/ah_UIAeQX7-eWo7C_madeinindia.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-06-03T05:14:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"review-made-in-india--a-titan-story"}},{"node":{"tags":["Entertainment"],"data":{"title":{"text":"Review: 'Drishyam 3'"},"content":{"text":"This film serves as a sequel to 'Drishyam 1' (released in 2013) and 'Drishyam 2' (released in 2021). With the 'Drishyam' franchise, Jeethu Joseph garnered a nationwide fan base. Consequently, whenever a new 'Drishyam 3' installment is announced, it immediately sparks immense curiosity among audiences.  Venkatesh had previously remade the first two 'Drishyam' films, bringing them to the Telugu audience. However, for this third installment, Mohanlal himself has presented the film directly to the Telugu audience today. Despite being a dubbed film, the expectations and interest among the Telugu audience are exceptionally high. Let's see in this review whether the film lives up to those expectations. Story: George (Mohanlal) produces a feature film titled 'Drishyam', based on the actual events that unfolded in his own life. The movie receives a positive reception and garners massive box-office collections. Meanwhile, discussions regarding Varun's murder resurface once again. As the topic of Varun's murder gains traction on social media, George begins looking for suitable alliances to arrange the marriage of his eldest daughter, Anu.  In this sequence of events, Varun's father, Prabhakar (Siddique), devises a plan to reopen the Varun murder case and execute an arrest precisely on the day of Anu's wedding. However, George cleverly manages to evade capture. Nevertheless, George and his family members find themselves in deep trouble due to another plan orchestrated by Prabhakar.  What are these troubles? And how does George manage to protect his family from them? That forms the crux of the film's story. Performances: Just as he impressed audiences with his nuanced and understated acting in the first two installments, Mohanlal once again delivers a captivating performance in this film as a responsible and devoted father. In particular, the anguish he portrays in certain scenes makes him feel truly like a real-life father. There is absolutely no doubt that Mohanlal has delivered a stellar performance as an average father who constantly worries about the future of his two daughters—never going overboard, yet never holding back. There isn't much to say regarding Meena's role, as she was given very little scope to showcase her acting prowess. However, she was impressive in terms of her appearance in the role of a mother, and she performed aptly in accordance with the demands of a character who is a mother to two children. The actresses who played George's daughters were also impressive; their characters have been a continuous presence since the very first installment. Much like in the first two films, their acting and on-screen presence were captivating in this installment as well. However, it must be noted that in this particular film, their screen time and scope for acting were significantly limited. As for the actors playing the supporting roles, their performances were decent and adequate for their respective characters.  Technical: Music director Anil Johnson does not appear to have put in much effort. He relied heavily on the background score used in the first installment. During suspense sequences, the music felt formulaic and uninspired; it should have been composed in a manner that heightened the intrigue.  There are significant flaws in the editing; specifically, many scenes in the first half felt dragged out. Despite the first half being relatively short in duration, it still came across as boring. It appears that director Jeethu Joseph focused more on the protagonist's character and on maintaining the suspense than on the narrative itself this time around.  The production values, as always, remained modest and aligned with the requirements of the story. Analysis: For audiences who have previously watched both installments of the 'Drushyam' franchise in Telugu, watching the dubbed version this time around might feel somewhat unfamiliar. In other words, viewers accustomed to seeing Venkatesh and the other actors in those roles across the first two films may feel slightly disoriented upon seeing Mohanlal and the Malayalam cast. Many scenes also retain a distinct \"Malayalam flavor,\" placing the film quite far removed from a typical Telugu cultural context.  Consequently, it may not be particularly easy for Telugu audiences to fully connect with the story. Nevertheless, for those who enjoyed the previous two installments of the 'Drushyam' franchise, this film is worth a one-time watch. The first half unfolded very slowly and failed to effectively draw the audience into the narrative. Conversely, the second half felt rushed, as if hurrying to reach the climax. Some of the suspense sequences felt forced and shoehorned into the plot.  However, one or two of the twists introduced within the story were engaging. However, on the whole, it must be admitted that the film failed to captivate audiences in the way its predecessors did. Towards the end, a hint was dropped suggesting the possibility of a 'Drishyam 4'. It remains to be seen when that installment will arrive and what form it will take. Plus Points: Mohanlal's performance, The twists in the plot, The main storyline. Minus Points: Slow-paced screenplay in the first half, Editing, Lack of prominence given to characters other than George. Conclusion: This Malayalam 'Drishyam' sequel feels somewhat forced Banner: Aashirvad Cinemas Producer: Antony Perumbavoor Direction: Jeethu Joseph Music: Anil Johnson Cast: Mohanlal, Meena, Ansiba Hassan, Esther Anil, Asha Sharath, Shanthi Mayadevi, and others"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/ag7UpaYofJOwHelj_Drushyam3.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-05-21T09:20:00+0000","embed":{"embed_url":null}},"uid":"review-drishyam-3"}},{"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"}}]}},"pageContext":{"isCreatedByStatefulCreatePages":true}}