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Kartik Aaryan visits Statue of Unity, enjoys thepla ahead of 72nd National Award ceremony at Kevadia

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 21 (IANS) Bollywood actor Kartik Aaryan, who is set to be honoured with the National Award for Best actor, has landed in Gujarat for the ceremony. On Monday, the actor took to his Instagram, and shared a series of pictures and videos from Kevadia, Gujarat. In the pictures, the actor can be seen next to the Statue Of Unity. One of the pictures also shows his meal spread of thepla and other local delicacies. He wrote in the caption, A legacy larger than life #StatueOfUnity. He also commented, Thepla was good. His followers lauded the actor for his achievement. One user wrote, Sooooooooooo Excited About U Receiving Ur National Award. Another user wrote, Sattu back in town. A 3rd user wrote, I'm happy when you happy, it's simple. Meanwhile, the actor will be honoured with the National Award for Best Actor for his work in the sports biopic Chandu Champion in which he essayed the role of a Paralympic gold medalist Murlikant Petkar. Kartik shared the National Award for Best actor with Malayalam cinema legend, Mammootty, who will be feted for his work in Bramayugam. The 72nd National Film Awards, presented by the National Film Development Corporation of India, were announced on 18 July 2026 in a press conference to honour the best of Indian cinema in 2024. There were 400 entries in the feature film category, 161 in non-feature films, 38 books, and 24 critics submissions. The political action-thriller Article 370 was awarded Best Feature Film and the dystopian science-fiction Kalki 2898 AD was awarded Best Popular Feature Film. The 72nd National Film Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on September 22 in Kevadia, Gujarat with President Droupadi Murmu presenting the honours. Veteran actor Anant Nag will receive the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award. This edition marks a significant move beyond Delhi.

bhaskarlive 21 Sep 2026 10:39 pm

BWF World Jr C'ships 2026: Asian U17 medallist Tanvi Patri and Shaina Manimuthu lead Indian squad

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 21 (IANS) India will look to build on its team bronze and individual silver from last year's edition in Guwahati when a strong 18-member squad, led by newly crowned Asian U17 champion Tanvi Patri, continental silver medallist Shaina Manimuthu and India Junior International Grand Prix winner Dev Ruparelia, competes at the BWF World Junior Championships 2026 in Cairo, Egypt. The contingent was selected following selection trials held at the National Centre of Excellence in Guwahati from September 18 to 21, in accordance with the guidelines established by the Badminton Association of India's (BAI) Junior Selection Committee. The team event for the Suhandinata Cup runs from October 5 to 10. Fifth-seeded India, the bronze medallist from the last edition, has been drawn in Group D1 alongside Peru and Brazil. To qualify for the quarterfinals, India must top Group D1 and then win a playoff tie against the winner of Group D2, which features ninth seeds Indonesia, Macau China, and Senegal. Commenting on the squad, BAI General Secretary Sanjay Mishra said,India has a strong chance of delivering another impressive performance. Our junior players are carrying good momentum from the U17 Asian Championships, where the team reached the final. We waited for the medal-winning players to return before completing the selection trials to ensure everyone had a fair opportunity. Our boys and girls have worked extremely hard, and I am confident they can build on Indias podium finishes in Guwahati last year. As per the BWF Council decision for 2026, the Suhandinata Cup will be played under the new 3x55 relay scoring system, while the individual events for the Eye Level Cups, scheduled from October 11 to 17, will be conducted under the 3x15 scoring system. To prepare for the championships, the squad will undergo a dedicated World Junior Camp at the National Centre of Excellence, Guwahati from September 25 to October 2. The girls' singles challenge will be led by Patri and Manimuthu, alongside Parul Choudhary and Tanvi Reddy Andluri. In boys' singles, Ruparelia is joined by Nishchal Chand, Jagsher Singh Khangurra, and Akhil Reddy Bobba. In girls' doubles, Aanya Bisht and Angel Punera, who were part of the Indian squad that won a historic team medal last year, feature alongside Diya Bheemaiah B. and Baruni Parshwal. The boys' doubles pairs feature Aathish Sreenivas P.V. with Yogansh Singh, and Pavan Suresh with Punith Suresh. Divyansh Agrawal and Varna Prabhuanand, together with Yogansh Singh and Aanya Bisht, form the mixed doubles lineup. Indian Squad for BWF World Junior Championships 2026: Boys' Singles: Nishchal Chand, Dev Ruparelia, Jagsher Singh Khangurra, Akhil Reddy Bobba Girls' Singles: Parul Choudhary, Tanvi Reddy Andluri, Shaina Manimuthu, Tanvi Patri Boys' Doubles: Aathish Sreenivas P.V. / Yogansh Singh, Pavan Suresh / Punith Suresh Girls' Doubles: Aanya Bisht / Angel Punera, Diya Bheemaiah B. / Baruni Parshwal Mixed Doubles: Divyansh Agrawal / Varna Prabhuanand, Yogansh Singh / Aanya Bisht

bhaskarlive 21 Sep 2026 10:24 pm

HC orders inquiry over claims of caste-based humiliation in NLU

Prayagraj: The Allahabad High Court has ordered an independent inquiry against the head of the Department of Law and warden of the boys hostel at Dr Rajendra Prasad National Law University, Prayagraj over allegations of caste-based humiliation and discrimination raised by two students. Justice Vinod Diwakar also directed an independent re-evaluation of the answer sheets Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

The Siasat Daily 21 Sep 2026 10:00 pm

Ricky Kej questions artist Sargam Vaish accusing 'Vvan' of plagiarism: How did they get access

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 21 (IANS) Independent artist Sargam Vaish has accused the makers of Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia, 'The Vvan' of using a section of his song Aigiri Nandini without his permission in their recently released trailer. On Monday, Sargam uploaded a video on his official Instagram handle in which he said, I have been working on a project for three years, and one song from that has been used in the film Vvans trailer that was recently released, without my permission. The Vvan stars Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia and is directed by Deepak Kumar Mishra, produced by Balaji Telefilms and TVF. They have used my song for 25 seconds without my permission. He even threatened legal action against the makers if they did not remove the song from the trailer. Divulging some more details, he added, From 1 minute 8 seconds to 1 minute 33 seconds, the songs name is Aigiri Nandini. They have used my master file, production, and vocals as it is. I have signed a deal with a big label; if that is affected, they will be responsible for this. Kindly remove the song from your trailer and the movie; otherwise, my legal team will take care of it. As the post reached social media, CBFC member Ricky Kej asked the artist in the comments section, How did they get access to your master recording when you had not released it yet?(sic) Responding to him, Sargam shared, @rickykej > Sir, Im a big fan of yours, so it genuinely means a lot that you noticed this. The song was already given to another big movie and was still unreleased. Somehow, it reached this movie through another circle and was used before the original project. Thats exactly what Im trying to understand as well. Helmed by Deepak Kumar Mishra and Arunabh Kumar, 'Vvan' is slated to hit the theatres on September 25 this year.

bhaskarlive 21 Sep 2026 7:53 pm

Textbook error row: Odisha students

Bhubaneswar: As the students agitation over errors in school textbooks gains momentum in Odisha, the CJP on Monday, September 21, extended its support to the ongoing satyagraha by the Navnirman Yuva Chhatra Sangathan (NYCS), which is demanding the resignation of School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond over the alleged irregularities. The NYCS and Opposition Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

The Siasat Daily 21 Sep 2026 7:51 pm

Strong profit growth prompted Moneyview to reduce IPO size: MD & CEO Agrawal

Moneyview reduced its public offer to Rs 1,092 crore from Rs 1,500 crore. This decision stems from robust profit growth and adequate internal cash generation. The company fixed its price band at Rs 32-34 per equity share for the IPO. The IPO comprises a fresh issue and an offer for sale by existing shareholders. Proceeds will fuel lending business growth and new product development.

The Economic Times 21 Sep 2026 7:36 pm

Flipkart Mobiles Instagram Handle Accidentally Leaked the iPhone 17 Big Billion Days Price and It Is Unbelievably Cheap!

The internet never forgets, especially when a massive online shopping company accidentally leaks the biggest deal of the year.

The Hindu 21 Sep 2026 6:44 pm

Your support touched our hearts: Gaza girl thanks Ms Rachel

A girl from Gaza has thanked popular childrens educator and YouTube star Rachel, widely known as Ms Rachel, for her support for Palestinian children. Nisreen Skaik shared a video on Instagram on Sunday, September 20, addressing Ms Rachel and tagging her account, @msrachelforlittles. From the heart of Gaza, to Ms Rochelle, Skaik said. Your voice, Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

The Siasat Daily 21 Sep 2026 6:39 pm

Yashbardhan Chauhans all-round show guides India U-19 to series-clinching win over Australia U-19

Digital Desk | Rajkot, Sep 21 (IANS) An all-round performance from Yashbardhan Chauhan powered India Under-19 to a comprehensive 103-run victory over Australia Under-19 in the second Youth ODI here at the Niranjan Shah Stadium and helped the hosts seal the three-match series with a game to spare. Chauhan starred with an explosive 122 off 100 balls before picking up two crucial wickets to dismantle Australia's run chase. Electing to bat first, India Under-19 posted a formidable 341/7 in their allotted 50 overs, anchored by Chauhan's magnificent century and a blistering 87 off 92 balls from VK Vineeth. Opening batter Aaryavir Sehwag provided a brisk start at the top of the order with a 48-ball 47 after captain Lakshay Raichandani fell for 11. India then took complete control as Chauhan and Vineeth joined forces and stitched together a commanding 132-run partnership off 124 balls for the third wicket. Chauhan was in sublime touch, striking 15 boundaries and two maximums in his 100-ball stay at a strike-rate of 122 and raised his second fifty-plus score in as many matches. Vineeth provided ideal support by clearing the fence six times alongside four hits to the boundary ropes. By the time Vineeth fell in the 40th over with the scoreboard reading 233/3, the foundation for a massive total was well laid. Chauhan and Kushagra Ojha then provided the late flourish, with the latter smashing a quickfire 34 off just 20 balls to help India plunder 106 runs in the final ten overs. For Australia Under-19, pacer Thomas Vaseo was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3-78 from his ten overs. Chasing a daunting target of 342, Australia U-19 started steadily through skipper Jack Czosnek and Matthew Lough. Lough contributed a 40-ball 42, while Czosnek scored a fighting 81 off 63 balls, laden with seven fours and four sixes. The duo kept the visitors in the hunt with a 99-run stand off 82 balls for the fourth wicket after Australia had stumbled to 72/3. But the turning point came in the 27th over when Kavya Paresh Patel dismissed the dangerous Czosnek. His departure triggered a massive collapse, with Australia losing their last six wickets for just 38 runs. Despite a fighting 44 off 46 balls from Blake Cattle, laced with five fours and a six, Australia Under-19 were eventually bundled out for 238 in 41.1 overs. Spinner Chigurupati Venkata was the most successful bowler for the hosts by taking 3-64, while Chauhan capped off an outstanding day on the field with figures of 2-56. Patel was exceptionally economical, finishing with 2-23 from his seven overs, while Mohit Ulva chipped in with 1-19. Brief Scores: India Under-19 341/7 (Yashbardhan Chauhan 122, VK Vineeth 87; Thomas Vaseo 3-78) beat Australia Under-19 238 all out (Jack Czosnek 81, Blake Cattle 44; Chigurupati Venkata 3-64) by 103 runs

bhaskarlive 21 Sep 2026 6:08 pm

Sharad Pawar to tour Maharashtra's drought-affected regions from Sep 28

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 21 (IANS) With several parts of Maharashtra facing severe drought conditions due to inadequate rainfall this season, Nationalist Congress Party-SP chief Sharad Pawar is set to undertake a tour of the affected regions from next Monday. The veteran leader will visit farms directly to assess the situation on the ground and interact with affected farmers. The announcement comes amidst escalating political action over the agrarian crisis. Earlier, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had directed all guardian ministers to conduct field reviews in their respective districts to expedite government relief measures. While CM Fadnavis has accused the opposition of politicising the situation, Sharad Pawar's planned tour is expected to raise the pressure on the state administration. Although the state government has announced that crop damage assessments (panchnamas) will begin on October 5, farmers have expressed anxiety over delays in receiving relief funds. In a letter to CM Fadnavis, Pawar previously urged the state government to officially declare a drought and submitted a 9-point charter of demands. He also urged the CM to declare a state-level drought immediately without waiting for formal technical criteria, extend emergency drought benefits to heavily affected talukas, provide immediate compensation of Rs 50,000 per hectare to affected farmers and Rs 25,000 as special financial aid to landless farm labourer families, implement a farm loan waiver immediately, facilitate fresh crop loans, increase the incentive subsidy for farmers with consistent loan repayments from Rs 50,000 to Rs 100,000, and cover defaulting farmers from the 202526 season under the waiver. Pawar called upon the CM to apply the Re 1 crop insurance scheme retroactively with all previously excluded trigger points restored, and immediately disburse the promised Rs 17,000 per hectare compensation for unseasonal rain damage from last year, initiate special works under the Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA) focusing on agriculture and water conservation and provide dedicated water tankers to preserve fruit orchards, and conduct immediate surveys in villages facing drinking water shortages to deploy government tankers. He has emphasised the need to set up cattle fodder camps, drinking water points, and veterinary services on demand, launch a special drive through the Energy Department to repair faulty transformers on priority to counter load-shedding issues and set up state- and district-level control rooms to monitor daily rainfall, crop health, water scarcity, and fodder availability. He also demanded that the government should waive complete tuition and academic fees for students studying in drought-affected talukas, rather than limiting concessions to examination fee waivers. Meanwhile, NCP SP MLA Rohit Pawar has already initiated a tour of the drought-hit areas, launching sharp attacks on the state government. Rohit Pawar, in a post on X, said that when assessing drought, human errors should be avoided, accurate processing of information from various indicators should take place, and drought-affected talukas should be identified in less time. For this purpose, the government has developed Maha-MADAT, an advanced computer system, extremely important for determining Trigger-1 and Trigger-2, but he pointed out a crucial shortcoming in it. However, the shocking fact is that the tenure given to MRSAC (Maharashtra Remote Sensing Application Centre, Nagpur) for this computer system, Maha-MADAT, was only up to the Kharif season of 2024. Despite the Agriculture Department repeatedly submitting proposals for extension of tenure, this government has not yet taken any decision on it. While Maharashtra is burning in drought, how can the government sleep for two whole years like this? The government should immediately complete the necessary processes, declare drought in the state, and implement relief measures accordingly, he noted. Parallel to Sharad Pawars field visits, the NCP-SP has convened a comprehensive state-level meeting on September 28 in Mumbai. The meeting will be chaired by the party's state President Shashikant Shinde in the presence of Working President Supriya Sule. Attendees include party MPs, MLAs, state office-bearers, observers, spokespersons, district and taluka heads, frontal organisation chiefs, and former candidates. During the meeting, NCP SP will evaluate the drought and water scarcity situation across Maharashtra and its impact on rural life, formulate the party's stance and strategy regarding youth unemployment, address paper leaks and examination malpractices affecting st, students' futures and issue guidelines and vigilance tasks for office-bearers regarding the State Infrastructure/Information Register (SIR). Besides, the party will review the current political landscape in Maharashtra and discuss organisational expansion and party-building strategies.

bhaskarlive 21 Sep 2026 5:38 pm

Maniesh Paul thanks 'Strong Girl' Janhvi Kapoor for taking care of him during a turbulent flight

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 21 (IANS) Actor Maniesh Paul thanked actress Janhvi Kapoor for taking care of him during a turbulent flight. On Monday, Maniesh took to the Stories section of his official Instagram handle and shared a selfie with Janhvi from the flight. Calling Janhvi a 'strong girl', Maniesh added the text to the pic, Thank you @janhvikapoor for taking care of me during the turbulent flight (Rolling on the Floor Laughing Emoji) You are so strong (Rolling on the Floor Laughing Emoji and hug emojis) (sic). Jahnvi also reshared Maniesh's post on her Insta Stories. For those who do not know, Maniesh and Janhvi have shared screen space in the 2025 romantic comedy 'Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari'. Directed by Shashank Khaitan, the project also saw Varun Dhawan, Sanya Malhotra, and Rohit Saraf in the lead. The drama talks about Sunny (Played by Varun) and Tulsi (Played by Janhvi), who come up with a plan to get back their exes who are about to get married. Jointly backed by Hiroo Yash Johar, Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta, Adar Poonawalla, and Shashank Khaitan under the banner of Dharma Productions, and Mentor Disciple Entertainment, 'Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari' reached the audience on 2 October 2025. Always on top of her social media game, Janhvi frequently drops glimpses of her personal and professional life. In August, Janhvi said goodbye to summer with a sweet note on social media. She took to her IG and posted a string of pics from her summer memories. Reflecting on the season with fondness, she wrote the caption, Goodbye summer, you were so good. Janhvi made her acting debut back in 2018 with 'Dhadak', opposite Ishaan Khatter. After this, she has been a part of many noteworthy projects such as, 'Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl', 'Roohi', 'Good Luck Jerry', Mili', 'Mr. & Mrs. Mahi', and 'Ulajh'.

bhaskarlive 21 Sep 2026 5:27 pm

Pakistani RJ apologises for body-shaming Katrina Kaif over postpartum weight gai

A Pakistani RJ has gone on record to apologise to Katrina Kaif for trolling her over her postpartum weight gain. Taking to Instagram, he also added that he reflected on his criticism after Salman Khan's comments on Bigg Boss 20

Mid Day 21 Sep 2026 5:24 pm

Allahabad HC orders independent probe into alleged caste-based humiliation of students at NLU Prayagraj

Digital Desk | Prayagraj, Sep 21 (IANS) The Allahabad High Court has directed the constitution of two committees to independently re-evaluate answer sheets and inquire into allegations of caste-based humiliation and discrimination against students at Dr Rajendra Prasad National Law University, Prayagraj. A single-judge Bench of Justice Vinod Diwakar passed the directions while hearing a writ petition filed by a PhD research scholar and a fifth-semester B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) student of the university, who alleged that academic and administrative authority had been used by the Head of the Department of Law and Warden of the Boys' Hostel for caste-based humiliation and retaliation. The High Court directed the Vice-Chancellor to constitute an independent committee to re-evaluate the answer sheets of petitioner no. 2 in subjects taught and evaluated by respondent no. 6 (Dr Deepak Sharma), as well as any other subjects indicated by the student. It further directed that the answer sheets be placed before the committee after masking the identities of the candidate and original evaluator, without disclosing the marks originally awarded. The Committee shall complete the exercise and submit its report to the Vice-Chancellor within one week, the Allahabad High Court ordered, directing that the Vice-Chancellor place the report before it on the next date of hearing. For examining the allegations raised by the petitioners, the High Court asked Archana Singh-I, Judge, Small Cause Court, District Court, Prayagraj, and Arun Kumar Yadava, Special Chief Judicial Magistrate, Prayagraj, to conduct an inquiry and submit a report. The inquiry will examine whether students belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes were subjected to caste-based humiliation or discrimination by Dr Deepak Sharma or any other person employed by or working for gain in the university, and whether their complaints were dealt with in accordance with applicable regulations. The inquiring officers were authorised to record the statements of the petitioners and other persons, including Dr Sharma, and call for varsity records required for the inquiry. The Registrar of the university was directed to extend full cooperation. The High Court also directed that before recording any adverse conclusion against a person, the inquiring officers must communicate the substance of the allegations and provide a reasonable opportunity to explain. The inquiry report must record the substance of the explanation and any recommendations. It further directed the inquiring officers to take appropriate measures to protect the identities of students who depose before them, in view of the apprehension of retaliation expressed in the complaint filed on August 20. The report shall be submitted in a sealed cover before the next date of hearing, Justice Diwakar ordered. The High Court also directed the Vice-Chancellor to ensure that neither petitioner faces any adverse academic or administrative consequences on account of the proceedings or statements made during the inquiry. Until further orders, Dr Sharma will not be assigned any role in evaluating the answer scripts of petitioner no. 2 or in any disciplinary or hostel-related matter concerning either petitioner. The university was further directed to relieve the assistant professor concerned of all administrative responsibilities until the completion of the inquiries. The High Court also asked the Vice-Chancellor to file an affidavit stating whether the university had constituted an Equal Opportunity Cell and a committee for redressal of grievances of students belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, as required under applicable University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations. The affidavit must also disclose the composition of these bodies, the action taken on the complaint filed on August 20 and subsequent reminders, and the reasons for the apparent failure to act on the grievance. The Registrar was directed to file a personal affidavit addressing the same aspects. The petitioners had alleged that the university authorities failed to act on the complaint submitted by petitioner no. 2 to the Vice-Chancellor, despite repeated reminders and further complaints. The complaint, as reproduced in the High Court order, alleged that stricter evaluation of answer sheets was linked to the student's caste and referred to remarks allegedly made by Dr Sharma concerning caste and reservation. The student sought independent review or re-evaluation of the Constitutional Law-II and other answer scripts by an impartial evaluator, subject to university rules, while requesting confidentiality over the complaint due to apprehensions of retaliation and adverse consequences in the academic environment. The Allahabad High Court clarified that it had not recorded any finding on the truth of the allegations against Dr Sharma or any other person. The allegations are serious, and for that very reason they require to be examined by an impartial agency after affording a full opportunity of hearing to the person against whom they are made, the order observed. The High Court directed the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar to maintain strict confidentiality concerning the proceedings and disclose information only to persons necessary for compliance with the order. The matter has been posted for fresh hearing on September 24, at 12 noon.

bhaskarlive 21 Sep 2026 5:03 pm

Salman Khan questions how paparazzi photograph Katrina Kaif and female stars:

Highlights Salman Khan defended Katrina Kaif after she was targeted over her postpartum weight. The Bigg Boss 20 host also criticised paparazzi for taking inappropriate photographs of female celebrities. Khan urged trolls to think about their own behaviour before targeting others online. Salman Khan has spoken out against the trolling of Katrina Kaif over her postpartum weight, while also taking aim at paparazzi culture and the way female celebrities are photographed. During Bigg Boss 20 s Weekend Ka Vaar, Khan addressed the criticism aimed at Katrina after her recent public appearance at a Ganapati Utsav in Mumbai. Salman Khan defends Katrina Kaif Questioning why people were trolling Katrina over her appearance after giving birth, Khan said pregnancy naturally brings changes to a womans body. Why do you troll somebody who gets pregnant? Pregnant hone ke baad everyone puts on weight, he said. Khan added that Katrina would return to work when she was ready and suggested that she was choosing to spend time with her family. The comments came after Katrina faced online criticism over her postpartum appearance. She and Vicky Kaushal welcomed their first child, son Vihaan, last November. Salman calls out paparazzi Khan then turned his attention to the treatment of female celebrities by paparazzi, particularly the practice of photographing women from angles they may find uncomfortable. Paparazzi hip shots lete hain, taangon ke shots lete hain, aur agar peeche se shot mil jaaye toh woh bhi lete hain, he said. He claimed that female celebrities do not like being photographed in this way and recalled seeing similar behaviour involving his niece. See on Instagram Meri apni niece chal rahi hoti hai, toh peeche se uska shot le rahe hain aur caption daalte hain Pehchaano ye kaun hai? he said. Addressing women directly, Khan added: Agar aisa ho toh ghoom ke ek chamat maaro aur bolo, Apni maa-behen ka shot le lo. Disgusting people! What is this mentality? He takes on trolls targeting him too Khan also addressed comments about his own age, acknowledging that he is now 60 and saying he cannot remain the same age as when he starred in Maine Pyar Kiya . At one point, he removed his shirt and hat and wiped off his makeup on camera, appearing to challenge those who criticise his appearance. He also defended his brother Sohail Khan and actor Varun Dhawan against online trolling, telling viewers to look at themselves before making fun of others. Pehle apne aap ko dekho, apne jism ko dekho uske baad karna yeh sab, Khan said. Khan and Katrina previously worked together on films including Ek Tha Tiger , Tiger Zinda Hai and Bharat . Katrina has been married to Vicky Kaushal since 2021.

easterneye 21 Sep 2026 4:18 pm

Nandita Das calls Manto 'A journey I will cherish forever' as the film clocks 7 years

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 21 (IANS) Actress and filmmaker Nandita Das commemorated 7 years of her 2018 biographical drama, 'Manto' with a heartfelt post on her official social media handle. Sharing two posters of the film on her IG, Nandita asked the netizens for their views on 'Manto'. The filmmaker said that it is a journey she will cherish forever. She penned, 7 years ago, on this day, Manto was released! A journey I will cherish forever. If you havent seen it yet, its on YouTube and Apple TV. To know more about Why Manto?, I have shared the YouTube link on my story. Nandita also revealed that she has written a book on her journey with the movie. I also wrote a whole book on it called Manto & I that is full of images and stories, right from its inception to its fruition. Its on discount on Amazon and Kindle. Shamelessly promoting it. After all, we make films and write books to share, to communicate what one feels compelled to say. If you do watch/read, I would love to know your thoughts, she went on to add. Lauding 'Manto' in the comment section, one of the Instagram user wrote, What a wonderful experience this was Sirazuddins casting still haunts me @nanditadasofficial. Another one penned, I will never forget watching this film. It was an experience I shall forever cherish! It still breaks my heart ...and remains my favourite biopics, read the third comment. A cinematic adaptation of the life of the prominent Urdu author Saadat Hasan Manto, the project saw Nawazuddin Siddiqui in the title character. The primary cast of the drama also features Tahir Raj Bhasin as the Hindi film superstar Shyam Chadda, and Rasika Dugal as Manto's wife, Safia. 'Manto' also happens to be the first film to be produced under Nandita Das Initiatives LLP, the banner founded by Nandita in 2016.

bhaskarlive 21 Sep 2026 4:14 pm

Karan Wahi Gives Sneak Peek Into Jennifer Wingets Goa Wedding

Karan Wahi shared glimpses from Jennifer Winget and William Ishmaels intimate Goa wedding celebrations on Instagram. The actor offered fans a closer look at the couples special festivities.

The Times of India 21 Sep 2026 3:46 pm

Dupahiya Season 2 Trailer: Gajraj Rao, Renuka Shahane, Sparsh Shrivastava return as Dhadakpur faces new chaos

Prime Video has unveiled the official trailer of Dupahiya Season 2, bringing audiences back to Dhadakpur with another round of chaos, crime and comedy. The second season of the Prime Original series picks up from where the first season ended and introduces a fresh set of troubles for Banwari and his family. The series is set to premiere on October 1, 2026, exclusively on Prime Video in India and across more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. Directed by Sonam Nair, Dupahiya Season 2 is created and produced by Salona Bains Joshi and Shubh Shivdasani under the banner of Bombay Film Cartel LLP. The series has been created and written by Avinash Dwivedi and Chirag Garg. The new season features Gajraj Rao, Renuka Shahane, Sparsh Shrivastava, Bhuvan Arora, Shivani Raghuvanshi and Yashpal Sharma, with Dinesh Lal Yadav (Nirahua) joining the cast. The trailer returns to Dhadakpur, which was earlier known as Indias only crime-free village. Bhugol may have gained fame, but that comes with its own set of complications, while Banwari and his family find themselves dealing with yet another series of unexpected situations. A new mobile tower on Banwaris barren land becomes the source of rumours, superstition and confusion. Meanwhile, Roshini is preparing for her SSC examination with Amavas by her side as the characters navigate the hurdles that come their way. Speaking about the second season, director Sonam Nair said, Dupahiya holds a special place in my heart, and it has been an exciting journey since we brought the first season to viewers. The love our audiences have shown for season one and the fandom built around it have been incredibly encouraging, and I am confident that season two will be received with the same enthusiasm. Prime Video has always supported creators and their passion for telling fresh, authentic, and distinctive stories, and it's been fulfilling to once again collaborate with this cast and crew, who have truly outdone themselves this time around. Gajraj Rao, who returns as Banwari Jha, said, Dupahiya has been one of my favourite projects. What makes the series special is that while the story is set in a small, rooted village, the characters, their relationships and their everyday struggles feel familiar to everyone, whether you are living in a small city, big metro or outside India. Season two promises more chaos, more surprises and, of course, the same warmth and humour that audiences connected with in the first season. I can't wait for everyone to return to Dhadakpur on October 1, when Dupahiya season two premieres on Prime Video. View this post on Instagram A post shared by prime video IN (@primevideoin) Renuka Shahane, who plays Pushplata, added, I had a lovely experience with the first season, so returning to Dupahiya as Pushplata was something I looked forward to. What I enjoy about this series is that it finds humour in the most ordinary moments while keeping its characters grounded and real. Season two raises the stakes with fresh challenges, but the beating heart of Dhadakpur, its people and their madness, remains very much intact. Shivani Raghuvanshi, who reprises her role as Roshni, shared, Returning for season two of Dupahiya has been a very special and different experience for me. Ive always loved this show, and coming back to familiar sets and familiar faces feels incredibly comforting. The entire team has become such a wonderful part of my journey, and working with them again has been nothing short of fun. What makes this season particularly exciting is that the show explores comedy in such a unique way. The situations, the people and the collaborations make it so much more enjoyable. Every actor brings something different to the table, and working with the director and our lovely producers has been a great experience. Roshni, in particular, is very close to my heart because she is so unlike me. Shes carefree, a little spoilt, impulsive and somehow always finds herself in trouble and somehow manages to take everyone around her into that trouble too! What surprised me most this season was discovering how much more there was to her. Ive played very different characters so far, and honestly, I didnt have a real-life reference point for Roshni. So creating her with the help of the writing and my director was a really exciting process. Ive genuinely had so much fun stepping back into her shoes, and Im really looking forward to seeing how the audience receives her this season. Bhuvan Arora, who returns as Amavas, said, It was lovely to come back to Dupahiya and, of course, to Amavas. There is something endearing about this world and these characters. Season two has the same eccentricity, hilarity and ups and downs that audiences loved in the first season, but the twists this time caught me off guard too. Amavas has also matured in ways I didn't expect, and it was a lot of fun to explore that side. I am excited for audiences to see what he and the rest of Dhadakpur get up to this time! Sparsh Shrivastava, who plays Bhugol, said, Bhugol is different from the roles I have played so far. On the surface, he may seem simple and straightforward, but there is a lot more to him than meets the eye. What I enjoy about playing him is discovering those little nuances and contradictions that make him unpredictable. The new season gave me the opportunity to push those boundaries further, and it has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my career. With its returning ensemble cast and a new set of comic complications in Dhadakpur, Dupahiya Season 2 is set to premiere on Prime Video on October 1, 2026. Also Read: Prime Video announces Season 2 of Hindi original series Dupahiya

Bollywood Hungama 21 Sep 2026 3:41 pm

Bigg Boss 20: Sajid Khan SLAMS Rhiti Tiwari after she calls Qazi Touqeer fraudster, worst human ever; Gauahar Khan praises his composure

The ongoing drama around Qazi Touqeers prank on Bigg Boss 20 has now drawn reactions from filmmaker and composer Sajid Khan and former Bigg Boss winner Gauahar Khan. While Sajid criticised the way Rhiti Tiwari spoke to Qazi following the reveal of his prank, Gauahar praised the contestant for remaining calm during the confrontation. The controversy began after Salman Khan exposed Qazis act during Weekend Ka Vaar. Qazi had reportedly created a fake health-related situation in the house, including claiming that he needed special medicine and earlier telling housemates that he could see things. The reveal led to several contestants confronting him over what they considered a breach of trust. Rhiti Tiwari, daughter of Bhojpuri actor and politician Manoj Tiwari, was particularly vocal during the confrontation. She called Qazi a dhongi baba, fraudster, shame to mental health patients and worst human ever. When Qazi asked her to stop abusing him, the exchange continued to escalate. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Qazi Touqeer (@qazitouqeer_official) Sajid Khan Reacts To Rhiti Tiwaris Behaviour Sajid Khan took to social media to share his reaction to the episode. The filmmaker said he watches Bigg Boss partly because his conversations with Salman Khan often revolve around the show. However, he admitted that he did not agree with the manner in which Rhiti addressed Qazi. Hi guys, this is Sajid here. I shouldn't be talking about all these things. But yes, of course, I watch Bigg Boss. And I have to watch Bigg Boss. Because when I meet Salman, he asks me something. You know, it becomes a topic. That's why I have to watch it. But yesterday, I didn't watch Bigg Boss this time. But I was watching it yesterday, Sajid said. Reacting specifically to the confrontation, he added, And the way that girl spoke to that boy, Kazi. I mean, I didn't like it. I'm so sorry. You know, it's very bad. I mean, she comes from a very renowned family. And what a prestigious father and name. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sajid Wajid (@thesajidwajid) Sajid also said he felt Qazis prank had at least provided entertainment to viewers and defended the idea of having contestants who create moments on the reality show. And I let by the way, artists cannot embarrass an artist like this. And whatever he was doing, I mean, people were enjoying it. At least, there is someone in Bigg Boss who is entertaining. You know, otherwise, it's like sad, he said. Gauahar Khan Praises Qazi For Staying Calm Gauahar Khan, who won Bigg Boss 7, also came out in support of Qazi following the Weekend Ka Vaar clash. Taking to her Instagram Stories, she shared two videos praising the way he handled the confrontation. Qazi Touqeer, jis beauty se aapne wo cheez handle ki. Kisi ne aapke upar spit kiya, kisi ne aapke upar apashabd bole, kisi ne aapko kaun hai be tu pata nahi kya-kya bola. Pata nahi kahan se aaya woh frustration, obviously jealousy se, Gauahar said. She further praised Qazi for acknowledging his mistake while maintaining his composure during the confrontation. You held your calm, you held your language. You knew that you had made a mistake, but you also knew that it wasnt such a big mistake. Thats why the confidence you have, I always say that the truth within you shows in your actions, she added. The reactions from Sajid and Gauahar have added another layer to the discussion around Qazis prank and the confrontation that followed. While Qazis decision to fake a health-related issue drew criticism from housemates, the manner in which the contestants addressed him has now become a separate point of discussion around the show. Also Read:Sofia Hayat calls Salman Khan hypocritical over Bigg Boss 20 shirtless moment, recalls body-shaming incident

Bollywood Hungama 21 Sep 2026 3:41 pm

Sharvari on starting Yeh Prem Mol Liya promotions at Royal Opera House: What a beautiful place to begin

Sharvari marked the music launch of her upcoming film Yeh Prem Mol Liya with a special evening at Mumbais Royal Opera House. The actor shared glimpses from the event on Instagram and reflected on the significance of the historic venue, which has been associated with generations of audiences experiencing stories, songs and films. Talking about the venue and the beginning of the films promotions, Sharvari wrote, Royal Opera House, where generations came together with their families to watch stories, songs and films come alive. What a beautiful place to begin promotions for a Sooraj Barjatya film - Yeh Prem Mol Liya! The music launch holds added significance for Sharvari as Yeh Prem Mol Liya marks her first collaboration with filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya and actor Ayushmann Khurrana. The film explores themes of family, emotions and music, making the Royal Opera House a fitting setting for the launch of its music. Sharing her thoughts about the occasion, Sharvari described the evening as a moment she would hold close to her heart. The actors Instagram post offered a glimpse into the celebrations as the team officially began the promotional journey of the film. Directed by Sooraj Barjatya, Yeh Prem Mol Liya stars Ayushmann Khurrana and Sharvari in the lead roles. The film is scheduled to release on November 27, 2026. Also Read : Ganesh Chaturthi 2026: Ananya Panday, Sharvari, Suniel Shetty and other Bollywood stars share glimpses of their celebrations

Bollywood Hungama 21 Sep 2026 3:41 pm

Woman Climbs Tower Over Alleged Land Dispute

A woman from Agra climbed a tower on Hazratganjs Park Road near the Uttar Pradesh CMs residence, allegedly over a land dispute. The woman was evacuated by the Lucknow Fire Department and Police. Further details are awaited.

The Times of India 21 Sep 2026 3:25 pm

It's You Against The Ball - Japan's Ito-Davis On Facing India In Historic One-off Mens T20I

T20 World Cup: Benjamin Ito-Davis has spent the past three weeks trying to absorb the idea that cricketers he sees on television will soon be standing 22 yards away from him when Japan host India in a one-off historic men's T20I game at Sano on Tuesday. Though the fixture is under a threat of Typhoon Dujuan, the last few days have been incredibly busy for Ito-Davis and his side lots of media commitments, training time and soaking in the feeling of taking on current T20 World Cup holders India in their backyard. We found out about this happening when we first heard some little noise a month ago. We heard that there might be a possibility and were told to just keep our schedules free and start preparing was the first time we heard from our managers and coaches. Then we got the final confirmation about three weeks ago. Obviously when we all found out, we all called each other and spoke about it and were really excited to see it come true. These are our idols and superstars of cricket, and some of the world's best players. From always watching them on TV, to finally saying we're going to be hosting them in Japan, the emotions have been a lot of excitement and just really can't wait to get started, Ito-Davis told IANS ahead of the clash. Like a growing number of players in Japan's small cricketing community, he follows Indian cricket closely. I do follow cricket quite globally. I've certainly watched the IPL. Some of my favourite teams are Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings. So, I follow those teams and players quite carefully and this would be the first time to ever come across these players so closely. The first time I'll be conversing with any of the Indian players, he said. Speaking to two names in the Indian team, in particular, has been on his mind. There's certainly a few people. I definitely can't wait to meet them all. But amongst few who come to mind is Jasprit Bumrah. His mentality, calmness and he also seems just as a really kind person. So I really want to meet and talk to him. Hopefully he will share a few thoughts and a few tips for me, which would be amazing and huge for me. Another player would be Sanju Samson. I'm really excited to meet him. He's also a wicketkeeper, and maybe if I'm batting, I'll be close to him. But, to meet Sanju as well is huge as hes another one of my idols. So I'm really looking forward to meeting him, he added. Over the past year Japan, ranked 41 in mens T20Is, have beaten Papua New Guinea, Bahrain and Kuwait in May, which Ito-Davis said has shifted something in the dressing room. That certainly gives the team and individuals a lot of success and confidence. Going into a game like the one against India, obviously this is another level. But certainly having that confidence in yourself and being able to back your own skills is really important going into a game like this, he said. His answer to the gap in the gulf between the two teams is to shrink the contest down until the names stop mattering. Although it is a big game for us as individuals and as a team, it's still to just focus on what we have as our strengths and I always think we have to just play ball by ball. It doesn't really matter who is bowling the ball or who you're bowling to. At the end of the day, it's you against the ball. So you just have to have that mentality, take everything else out of it and just focus on the ball or what you're trying to execute when you're bowling, he said. The practical obstacles are harder for Japan - Ito-Davis lives in Chiba, east of Tokyo, and a round of training at the international ground where the national squad does most of its work costs him roughly three hours on trains each way. It is quite a tiring task and can be exhausting, but this is the small cost that we are and can take to have the chance to play against like India. So, small price to pay, but certainly willing to do it, he said. What the squad lacks in infrastructure it has partly made up for in continuity, with much the same group of players turning out together for several years. This team has now gelled quite well together. We've been playing with a lot of familiar faces for a good part of three or four years altogether. The squad hasn't changed too much. So this is a good thing where we're all familiar with each other's roles. We now know everyone's own strengths. So, we bring that all together. I think we have become a really strong team and hopefully this is just sort of a start and we keep building from here, he said. Asked what Japanese cricket needs most, Ito-Davis did not mention coaching, funding or fixtures. For Japan cricket to grow and go to the next level, we need more facilities. This is our biggest obstacle right now - we're just quite short on facilities around Japan. So, just to make and have more facilities to make it more accessible for young kids wanting to try the sport. Then to have more nets, to have more grounds built all around Japan would be a huge boost and a huge opportunity for the game to grow in Japan, he said. His own route to cricket came through a back garden at home, with his father throwing balls at him. Then school and a local club named the Chiba Sharks helped him grow and get game time. Good returns there earned him a place in the national set-up, with an international debut happening about two years ago. Away from playing, he runs much of the national body's social media output, using Instagram and X to push the sport at an audience that has largely never watched a match. Ito-Davis accepts the description of influencer with some enthusiasm. A few players that I idolised - the first one that comes to my mind is an Australian player named Shane Watson. I loved that he was an all-rounder. He was always involved in the game, whether it was with his batting, his bowling, his fielding, and he had a great cover drive. Then most recently, I love Virat Kohli and his mentality. I love his energy, his passion for the game, and his relentlessness in scoring runs. He never backs down a challenge and he's always there for the fight. So I really admire those things about Virat Kohli, he said. Ito-Davis is also an assistant coach with Japan's women's team, though men's team preparations kept him away from their Asian Games quarter-final game against India on Friday. Sent in to bat against the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side, he noted that the Japanese teams performances offered plenty to build on for the future. Asked why he gives cricket this much of his life, his answer ran to two lines. Well, this is my dream. I love cricket and just to be around every day. It's a lot of fun. That's it. There's nothing else. Ito-Davis is also an assistant coach with Japan's women's team, though men's team preparations kept him away from their Asian Games quarter-final game against India on Friday. Sent in to bat against the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side, he noted that the Japanese teams performances offered plenty to build on for the future. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories If we're able to inspire one kid or one boy or girl to pick up the sport and play cricket, because they've watched these games or watched us play, then I think that's the biggest success story, he signed off. Article Source: IANS

CNMSports 21 Sep 2026 3:14 pm

From Im in love to a sudden split: Presley Gerber and ex-girlfriend Lexi Wood's romance had reportedly ended just one month after going official with their relationship

Presley Gerber and model Lexi Wood dated briefly in late 2022 after knowing each other as friends for years. The couple made their relationship Instagram official, with both publicly expressing their affection. People reported that Gerber said he had loved Wood since meeting her, while Wood said he asked to take things further within a week. E! News later reported their split.

The Economic Times 21 Sep 2026 1:56 pm

Rohit Shetty supports Salman Khan after his Bigg Boss 20 call-out on trolls: Only unconditional prem for him

Rohit Shetty has extended his support to Salman Khan after the actor addressed social media trolling, body-shaming and paparazzi culture during the latest Weekend Ka Vaar episode of Bigg Boss 20. Salman spoke about the way celebrities are subjected to comments about their appearance and personal lives, while also questioning the growing lack of etiquette on social media. Salmans comments received support from several members of the film industry, including Varun Dhawan and Neha Dhupia. Filmmaker Rohit Shetty has now also reacted to Salmans remarks and shared a message of support for the actor. On Sunday, Rohit took to Instagram and posted a video of Salman removing his shirt to show his physique while responding to trolls who had body-shamed him and called him budha. Sharing the video, Rohit wrote, Only unconditional prem for him. Dear trollers, it's done bro. Rohit was not the only filmmaker to back Salman. Kunal Kohli also praised the actor for addressing issues surrounding social media behaviour and paparazzi culture. Sharing a video from the episode, Kohli wrote, Respect...you made the most important points on social media etiquette, behaviour, trolls & paps and the people who follow n encourage such behaviour. Aur jab bhai bolta hai toh uske baad koi nahin bol sakta (When bhai speaks, no one else can speak). View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rohit Shetty (@itsrohitshetty) During the episode, Salman spoke about the trolling that celebrities face over their appearance. He revealed that he too has been called budha on social media, while his reported bald look has also become a topic of discussion online. The actor also addressed the trolling directed at Katrina Kaif over her post-pregnancy weight gain. Defending her, Salman said, Everyone puts on weight after getting pregnant. When she returns to films, she will get back in shape. She wants to spend time with her family. Salman further criticised people who make money by putting others down and referred to them as parasites. He also spoke about actors choosing not to comment on political matters and questioned certain aspects of paparazzi culture. He criticised photographers for taking inappropriate pictures of female actors and said women should slap photographers if they feel uncomfortable. The Bigg Boss 20 host also spoke about the criticism actors face when their films do not perform well, stressing that a flop should not determine an actors future as they continue to work hard to entertain audiences. Meanwhile, Rohit Shetty is preparing for the next instalment of the Golmaal franchise. Golmaal 5 stars Ajay Devgn, Tusshar Kapoor, Arshad Warsi, Sharman Joshi and Shreyas Talpade, with Akshay Kumar in a key role. The film is scheduled to release in theatres on January 8, 2027. Also Read : Endemol Shine dominates Ormax Top 10 list: Bigg Boss Hindi leads the chart along with Khatron Ke Khiladi, Bigg Boss Telugu, and Bigg Boss Tamil

Bollywood Hungama 21 Sep 2026 1:41 pm

Vedika Pinto marks one year of Nishaanchi; says shell be forever indebted to Anurag Kashyap for Rinku

Vedika Pinto marked one year of Anurag Kashyaps Nishaanchi by looking back at her experience of playing Rinku in the film. The actor shared a series of behind-the-scenes pictures from the making of the film on social media and reflected on what the project meant to her. Taking to Instagram, Vedika recalled the films release and the experience of bringing Rinku to the screen. She described the making of Nishaanchi as an important learning experience and expressed her gratitude to Kashyap for giving her the character. One year ago today, we shared Nishaanchi with the world. A film made with immense love, sincerity, and a collective effort to do something a little hatke. Nishaanchi isnt just a film to me. The making of it was a masterclass in cinema and in life, and Ill forever be indebted to you @anuragkashyap10 for giving me Rinku. God knows what she gave me, she wrote. Vedika also thanked audiences who watched the film and connected with Rinku. She said it was meaningful to see the character find a place with viewers while encouraging those who had not seen the film to give it a watch. To everyone whos watched our film, thank you. It warms my heart to know that our film and Rinku have found their way to you. And for those of you who havent; do check it out, when you have the time and the desire to be transported to another world; raw, desi, and kuch zyaada hi filmy, she added. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vedika Pinto (@vedikapinto) Vedika Pintos journey from Operation Romeo to Nishaanchi Nishaanchi marked another significant project in Vedikas acting journey after her work in films such as Operation Romeo and Gumraah. Her role as Rinku gave her an opportunity to collaborate with Kashyap and explore a different character. The anniversary post comes as Vedika is also receiving attention for her performance as Sudha in Musafir Cafe. Rather than looking back at Nishaanchi only as an earlier project, her post highlights the personal significance the film and Rinku continue to hold for her. With her latest projects, Vedika has continued to take on different characters across genres. Her note on the first anniversary of Nishaanchi offers a glimpse into the experience she associates with the film and her gratitude towards the team behind it. Also Read:Vedika Pinto opens up about Musafir Cafes success: I have been loving the kind of response it has been generating

Bollywood Hungama 21 Sep 2026 1:41 pm

Anupam Kher honoured by State of Ohio for four-decade journey in cinema: I accept it with immense pride and humility

Anupam Kher has been honoured by the State of Ohio with a special proclamation recognising his more than four-decade journey in cinema. The honour also acknowledges the live stage performance of Jaane Pehchaane Anjaane in Columbus. Anupam shared the news with his followers on Instagram, posting a picture of himself holding the proclamation. In his post, the actor expressed his gratitude to Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lieutenant Governor Jim Tressel for the recognition. He said he accepted the honour with immense pride and humility. Sharing details about the recognition, Anupam wrote in his caption: DEEPLY HONOURED AND HUMBLED! It is an extraordinary feeling to receive this special proclamation from the State of Ohio, recognising my journey of more than four decades in cinema and our live stage performance of Jaane Pehchaane Anjaane in Columbus. He further thanked the state officials for the honour, writing: My heartfelt gratitude to the Honourable Governor of Ohio, Mr. Mike DeWine, and Lieutenant Governor Mr. Jim Tressel, for this wonderful honour. I accept it with immense pride and humility! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anupam Kher (@anupampkher) The actor also dedicated the recognition to the Indian film industry as well as the team behind his stage performance. He wrote: Not only for myself, but also with gratitude to the Indian film industry, which has given me my identity, and to the brilliant cast and crew of #JaanePehchaaneAnjane, whose passion and dedication make every performance so special. Anupam concluded his post by reflecting on the significance of being recognised away from India. He wrote: To be welcomed and recognised in this manner, so far away from home, is deeply moving. Thank you, Ohio, for this unforgettable honour. Jai Hind! Anupam made his acting debut with Mahesh Bhatts 1984 drama Saaransh. Over the years, he has appeared in several films, including Karma, Tezaab, Chaalbaaz, Vijay, Ram Lakhan, Daddy, Saudagar, Dil, Hum Aapke Hain Koun, Special 26, Uunchai, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, among others. He was last seen in Tanvi The Great, which follows Tanvi Raina, a 21-year-old woman on the autism spectrum, who lives with her mother Vidya and grandfather Colonel Pratap Raina. Inspired by her late father, an Indian Army officer who dreamed of saluting the flag at Siachen Glacier, Tanvi decides to pursue his dream by joining the army. Also Read : Anupam Kher meets David O. Russell in Los Angeles: I look forward to working with you again and again

Bollywood Hungama 21 Sep 2026 1:41 pm

Vijay Varma introduces Hemant (Hemu) with BTS post as Lust Stories 3 segment finds fans

Following the release of Lust Stories 3 on OTT, the character of Hemant essayed by Vijay Varma affectionately nicknamed Hemu by Konkanas character in this anthologyhas become one of the more talked-about parts of the anthology. Positioned as a lighter, more relatable figure amid the series intense narratives, audiences have appreciated Hemant for his understated, naturalistic approach that has resonated with them. Adding to the conversation, Vijay took to Instagram to share a set of behind-the-scenes images from the making of Lust Stories 3, using the post to formally introduce his character. He captioned the carousel, Meet Hemant (Hemu). Loves puran poli and Marathi rap. He further outlined Hemants quirks and preferences: Likes whiskey and ghazals? Not a fan on adventure sports Loves reels. More reels. Doesnt watch K drama. The details offer a snapshot of a modern, urban personality, grounding the character in everyday habits rather than grand gestures. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vijay Varma (@itsvijayvarma) A key draw of this segment has been the on-screen chemistry between Vijay Varma and Radhika Apte. Viewers have noted the natural equation between the two performers, who have collaborated previously and now reunite in this Vikramaditya Motwane-directed story. The segment also features Konkona Sen Sharma and Abhishek Banerjee in pivotal roles, adding depth to the narratives interpersonal dynamics. For Vijay, Hemant marks another shift in tone from recent work. After portraying a hardened figure in the intense world of Matka King, the actor now appears as the easy-going, charming Hemant, underlining his ability to move across vastly different character types. With Lust Stories 3 now streaming, Hemant adds another distinct entry to Vijay Varmas expanding filmography, as audiences continue to engage with the anthologys multiple stories. Also Read: Gurfateh Pirzada calls Kiran Rao an absolute dream to work with after Lust Stories 3 release: Im so glad she took this shot on and with me

Bollywood Hungama 21 Sep 2026 1:41 pm

Mamata Banerjee seeks urgent SC listing of her plea over ECIs freeze on TMC name, symbol

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 21 (IANS) Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee on Monday sought urgent listing of her plea in the Supreme Court challenging the Election Commission of Indias (ECI) decision to freeze the partys name and election symbol amid the ongoing dispute between rival factions. Mentioning the matter before Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who appeared on behalf of Mamata Banerjee, sought urgent listing of the plea. They (ECI) issue a by-poll notification and in the middle of notification, they freeze the symbol. We want urgent listing, Sibal submitted. At this, the CJI said that the rival side would also have submissions to make and assured that the matter would be considered for listing. Both sides will have something to say. When the matter is listed, then argue. We will try to list, CJI Kant said. The plea has been filed by Mamata Banerjee challenging ECIs interim decision to freeze the name All India Trinamool Congress and its reserved Flowers and Grass election symbol amid the dispute between the rival factions of the party. The ECI had on Thursday passed an interim order barring both factions from using the TMCs existing name and symbol, observing that there were two rival groups claiming to be the recognised political party and that the dispute required a substantive determination under Paragraph 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968. The poll panel subsequently allotted alternative names and symbols to the two factions for the upcoming by-elections. Mamata Banerjee-led faction was allotted the name Mamata All India Trinamool Congress and the football player symbol, while the rival faction was allotted the name Democratic Trinamool Congress and the envelope symbol. The ECIs interim arrangement applies to the October 6 by-elections in West Bengal, including the Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly constituencies. The Mamata-led faction has challenged the ECI decision in the Supreme Court, with the plea questioning the freezing of the partys established name and symbol pending the final determination of the dispute. Mamata-led faction has maintained that it does not accept the ECIs interim order, while the rival camp led by expelled legislator Ritabrata Banerjee has claimed control over the partys organisational and legislative structures. The dispute had also spilled over into Parliament, where 20 rebel TMC Lok Sabha MPs had broken away and aligned themselves with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), claiming recognition as a separate parliamentary group. The Mamata-led faction had challenged the delay by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in deciding disqualification petitions against the 20 rebel MPs under the anti-defection law. On August 25, the Supreme Court had issued notice to the 20 rebel MPs on a plea filed by TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee, while refraining from issuing notice to the Lok Sabha Speaker. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Speaker, had informed the top court that notices had already been issued to the 20 MPs in the disqualification proceedings. The apex court had thereafter sought responses from the rebel MPs. The TMC has maintained that the MPs were elected on its symbol and that their subsequent decision to join another political formation attracts the provisions of the anti-defection law. However, the rebel faction has claimed the support of more than two-thirds of the TMCs Lok Sabha MPs and sought recognition as a separate parliamentary group. The dispute over the partys organisational control subsequently reached the ECI, with both sides staking claim to the TMC name and symbol. The poll bodys interim order said the temporary arrangement was intended to place the rival groups on an even footing and protect their respective rights and interests until a final determination of the dispute.

bhaskarlive 21 Sep 2026 12:57 pm

UPPSC LT Grade Assistant Teacher DV Schedule 2026 - Check Schedule PDF at uppsc.up.nic.in

UPPSC has released the document verification schedule for Assistant Teacher (Trained Graduate Grade) Exam-2025 for Science, Commerce and Agriculture/Horticulture. DV is on 25 September and 26 September 2026 at Saraswati Bhawan, Prayagraj. Check subject-wise serial numbers, session timings, documents required and how to download the DV form set.

FreeJobAlert 21 Sep 2026 12:10 pm

Roing Duo Shayon Ghosh, Regainlu Kri Win Battle Of Minds 3.0 In Arunachal

Itanagar, September 21: The Grand Finale of Arunachal Pradeshs youth quiz and edutainment show, Battle of Minds 3.0, was held at DK Hall in Itanagar on Sunday, with Shayon Ghosh and Regainlu Kri of Global Valley School, Roing, emerging as champions The Roing duo secured the title with 320 points. Marpin Bagra and Gobin Daw... The post Roing Duo Shayon Ghosh, Regainlu Kri Win Battle Of Minds 3.0 In Arunachal first appeared on Northeast Today .

North East Today 21 Sep 2026 11:45 am

'I sometimes feel lonely: IIT-Kanpur graduate quit her cushy job for travel. No social circle, lower income than her peers, but in 6 years, here's what she learned

IIT-Kanpur graduate Kanak Agrawal reflected on six years of nomadic living after an old friend questioned what the lifestyle had given her. Despite earning less than her IIT peers and lacking a fixed social circle, Agrawal said travelling taught her to trust people and feel at home anywhere. She recalled strangers offering shelter, food and help, giving her a lasting sense of freedom and belonging.

The Economic Times 21 Sep 2026 9:36 am

Ketan Agarwal murder case: Police allege plot involved fake Instagram account

Charge sheet names Ketans fiance, Sia Goyal, Chetan Chaudhary, and Ritesh Hange, cops also record eyewitnesses statements

Mid Day 21 Sep 2026 8:55 am

Samay Raina, Medha Shankr react to December wedding rumours

Samay Raina and Medha Shankr have reacted to rumours of a December wedding after an anonymous Reddit post claimed they were planning to marry. The duo joked about the speculation on Instagram and called attention to the baseless rumours

Mid Day 21 Sep 2026 8:55 am

Indian star cricketer Shreyanka Patil's Kyoto trip

She Instagrammed this picture from her sight-seeing trip and wrote: Kyoto, in a different kind of calm. Shreyanka picked up figures of 1-22 vs Bangladesh.

Mid Day 21 Sep 2026 8:46 am

Stock split alert! Last day to buy this Mukul Agrawal-backed stock that rallied 107% in 4 months

As per Sebi's T+1 settlement norm, investors need to buy a company's shares at least one trading day before the record date to ensure the shares are credited to their demat accounts in time and they become eligible for the corporate action. Accordingly, today is the last opportunity for investors to buy Taal Techs shares to be eligible for the stock split.

The Economic Times 21 Sep 2026 8:33 am

Gable Stevesons Manager Breaks Silence After UFC Stars Disappointing 12-second KO Loss At UFC 331

Abe Kawa, the manager of UFC heavyweight Gable Steveson, defended his client on Instagram after a 12-second knockout loss to Sean Sharaf at UFC 331. Kawa asked for patience and pointed to fighters who recovered from defeat.

NDTV 21 Sep 2026 8:21 am

Facebook, Instagram hit by outages in US, Downdetector shows

Facebook and Instagram experienced significant outage reports early Monday morning. Downdetector showed thousands of user-submitted issues for both platforms. Facebook Messenger also saw a notable increase in reported disruptions. WhatsApp, another Meta-owned service, recorded fewer but still elevated reports. These numbers reflect user-reported problems and not the total affected users.

The Economic Times 21 Sep 2026 7:32 am

Netanyahu tours tunnels beneath Al-Aqsa Mosque, Hamas condemns

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu toured tunnels beneath occupied East Jerusalems Old City on Saturday night, September 19, before joining Selichot prayers at the Western Wall ahead of Yom Kippur. Netanyahu shared footage of the visit on Instagram, showing him and his wife, Sara, walking through excavation tunnels beneath the Western Wall, known as the Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

The Siasat Daily 21 Sep 2026 12:30 am

ScrollEd wants to turn textbooks into TikTok

ScrollEd turns textbooks into a scrollable, Instagram-like feed with video, audio, and quizzes. The Palo Alto startup, founded by student co-founders (and spouses) Utsav Gupta and Rebecca Neff, pitches at TechCrunch Disrupt.

TechCrunch 20 Sep 2026 11:30 pm

Kriti Sanon ticks a new skill off her bucket list

Actress Kriti Sanon crossed off another thing on her bucket list, something she had been wanting to learn for years. The 'Mimi' actress was seen working on her pottery skills in her latest post on Instagram

Mid Day 20 Sep 2026 11:08 pm

From TVK playbook to all-party race: Bypolls go the Instagram way

Candidates Across Parties Set Up Dedicated Teams, Pages and Influencers

The Times of India 20 Sep 2026 10:31 pm

Hyderabad Police nabs actor as woman alleges sexual exploitation

Hyderabad: The Gachibowli police arrested wrestler and actor Saurav Gurjar at Mumbai airport for allegedly sexually exploiting a woman under the pretext of marriage. He was remanded to judicial remand for 14 days on Sunday, September 20. The complainant, a 29-year-old woman from Nanakramguda, said she connected with the Brahmastra actor in 2021 on Instagram, Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

The Siasat Daily 20 Sep 2026 10:03 pm

Who is Pulkit Mani? The comedian who mimicked PM Modi alongside Rahul Gandhi at Indore event and built a career around provocative comedy

Instagram content creator and comedian Pulkit Mani is receiving flak for mocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while sharing stage with Congress MP Rahul Gandhi during a Chhatron ki Gunj event in Indore.

OpIndia 20 Sep 2026 9:26 pm

Gurfateh Pirzada calls Kiran Rao an absolute dream to work with after Lust Stories 3 release: Im so glad she took this shot on and with me

Gurfateh Pirzada has shared a glimpse into his experience of working with filmmaker Kiran Rao on Lust Stories 3. Following the release of the Netflix anthology, the actor took to social media to share behind-the-scenes pictures and express his gratitude to Rao for giving him the opportunity to be part of her segment. Sharing BTS moments from the project, Gurfateh wrote, Theres so much to say about this film50 hour shiftszero sleepand juggling different personalities.the way it all happened and the way we pulled it off was pretty unreal tbh. So much love to all the people involved and the the most to our very own @raodyness. An absolute dream to work with and Im so glad she took this shot on and with me! #LUSTSTORIES3 is live on @netflix_in. I hope you all are liking what weve done and I hope you enjoy Karan, Arjun and Lisa equally. Gurfateh plays the leading man in Kiran Raos segment in Lust Stories 3, which also features Sana Thampi as the leading lady. The anthology, the third installment in the Lust Stories franchise, premiered on Netflix on September 18, 2026. The release comes shortly after Gurfatehs appearance in The Revolutionaries, Nikkhil Advanis period drama in which he portrayed revolutionary Bagha Jatin. The two projects offer the actor distinctly different roles, with Lust Stories 3 marking another addition to his recent work. For Gurfateh, the back-to-back releases also come after a period during which several projects he had been associated with did not reach audiences. With The Revolutionaries and Lust Stories 3 now available, the actor has been able to present two different performances to viewers within a short span. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gurfateh Singh Pirzada (@gurfatehpirzada) Beyond his current releases, Gurfateh has several projects lined up. His upcoming work includes a romantic comedy with Imran Khan and Bhumi Pednekar, Call Me Bae Season 2, and Dynasty. With Lust Stories 3 now streaming on Netflix, Gurfatehs collaboration with Kiran Rao has added another project to his growing body of work, while his social media post offered a personal account of the experience behind the anthology segment. Also Read: Sana Thampi on Lust Stories 3 debut: I didnt know it was Kiran Raos film till auditions

Bollywood Hungama 20 Sep 2026 7:40 pm

Kangana Ranaut backs Maithili Thakur owning Rs 10 crore Rolls-Royce

Kangana Ranaut recently slammed trolls who criticised Maithili Thakur after she was spotted at Lalbaugcha Raja in a swanky Rolls-Royce car worth Rs 10 crore. Kangana penned a long Instagram note defending the singer

Mid Day 20 Sep 2026 7:34 pm

'Brahmastra' actor in judicial custody after woman files complaint over marriage promise

Saurav Gurjar, known for his role in Mahabharat, has been placed in judicial custody following allegations from a woman who claims he deceived and harassed her under false promises of marriage. After meeting on Instagram and developing a relationship via WhatsApp, they lived together in the US and India, where Gurjar allegedly persuaded her to leave her job. Police have initiated an investigation into the actor's actions.

The Times of India 20 Sep 2026 7:06 pm

Kriti Sanon Completes Pottery Art from Her Bucket List: Make Today Your Day One

Actress Kriti Sanon shares her pottery journey on Instagram, encouraging fans to pursue their dreams and learn new skills. Kriti Sanon Completes Pottery Art from Her Bucket List: Make Today Your Day One

Daily Kiran 20 Sep 2026 6:03 pm

Protesters demanding rollback of UGC regulations block Yamuna Expressway in Agra

Protesters demanding rollback of UGC regulations blocked the Yamuna Expressway in Agra on Sunday. Dozens of tractors were used to halt traffic, leading to a scuffle with police. The demonstrators alleged that some provisions could be misused against general-category students. Police managed to persuade the protesters to clear the road after some time.

The Economic Times 20 Sep 2026 5:48 pm

Andros Townsend ran over by pitch roller in Thailand, jokes Stoke away 'wasn't bad'

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 20 (IANS) Former England footballer Andros Townsend was ran over by a pitch roller in Thailand during warm-up for his Thai League 1 side PT Prachuap. Townsend shared the video of the incident on his Instagram and joked that Stoke away wasn't so bad after all after the bizarre incident at the Pattani Province Stadium. He was doing warm-ups when the vehicle arrived and ran over his left leg, but he avoided a serious injury. He found a light-hearted moment in the incident as he took to Instagram to share a few memes and reactions. Turns out Stoke away wasn't so bad after all. Swipe to see why, he wrote to one of his Instagram stories. The former English footballer shared the video of the incident from a user. Just another day in Thai football (He was fine!), the caption to the video on the story said. His team PT Prachuap went on to win the game 3-0, with Townsend coming from the bench later. He joined Prachuap this summer from another Thai club, Kanchanaburi Power. He moved to the Thai football with the Thai Pro League last year in August after spending a season with Antalyaspor in Turkey. The winger has played for Tottenham, Crystal Palace, Everton and Luton Town in the Premier League, having made 291 appearances combined. He played for 17 different clubs during his tenure. Townsend played for England from 2013 to 2016, winning 13 caps during his international career. Meanwhile, Townsend's career has also been hampered by injuries in the past too. He suffered a serious injury to his anterior cruciate ligament in March 2022 when he was playing for Everton. The injury ended his season, and he underwent surgery for the injury.

bhaskarlive 20 Sep 2026 5:41 pm

Fake social media account, ChatGPT used in Ketan Agarwal's murder

Digital Desk | Pune, Sep 20 (IANS) A fake account on social media platform Instagram, along with ChatGPT and murder films, was used by Siya Goyal and her co-accused in the alleged murder of her fiance Ketan Agarwal, reveals the charge sheet filed by the police in the sensational case. The 5,053-page charge sheet, filed on Saturday, detailed the alleged conspiracy behind the death of the 26-year-old businessman at Lohagad Fort in Pune in June, NDTV reported. Agarwal was allegedly pushed off the fort on June 18 by his fiancee Siya Goyal, who was assisted by her purported lover Chetan Chaudhary, and another accused, identified as Ritesh Hange. All three have been arrested by the police. According to the charge sheet, the accused had initially discussed seriously injuring Agarwal and even explored the possibility of hiring someone from outside Maharashtra to carry out the attack. Police claimed the plan was later dropped because they feared the hired assailant could expose the conspiracy or create problems for them. Investigators have mentioned that a person contacted during this stage has since become a witness, the media report said. As per the charge sheet, the accused subsequently decided to kill Agarwal themselves and watched murder films and used ChatGPT for the purpose. They also listened to podcasts on how to avoid detection by police as part of their preparations. Goyal and her co-accused also researched last year's Meghalaya honeymoon murder case where Indore resident Raja Raghuvanshi was allegedly killed by his wife, Sonam, during the couple's honeymoon in the state's East Khasi Hills district. Moreover, investigators stated that a fake Instagram account named 'Mahi' was created using the photograph of a woman known to the accused in order to lure Agarwal to the fort. Subsequently, messages from the account encouraged the victim to visit the spot on June 18 for a surprise birthday plan for Goyal. According to the chargesheet, the fake account was part of a plan devised by Ritesh Hange to bring Agarwal to the fort. The account was deleted after the incident. Further, the charge sheet also revealed that the accused conducted a recce of locations around Lonavala before selecting Lohagad Fort. According to investigators, Goyal and Chaudhary visited Tiger Point and other locations in search of an isolated spot. Police said that Lohagad was eventually selected because of a death at the fort in March last year. The accused thought they could make Agarwal's death appear like an accidental fall at the spot.

bhaskarlive 20 Sep 2026 4:54 pm

Kriti Sanon crosses pottery off her bucket list: Make today your 'Day One'

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 20 (IANS) Actress Kriti Sanon crossed off another thing on her bucket list, something she had been wanting to learn for years. The 'Mimi' actress was seen working on her pottery skills in her latest post on Instagram. Expressing her excitement about learning a new skill, Kriti penned on the photo-sharing app, That thing youve been wanted to do or learn for years, the one that always made it to your Things I wanna do this year list but you never made time for it.. Instead of saying One day, yet again, make today your Day One ! One of the things on my list was Pottery! The joy of learning a new skill.. its something else! (sic). The 'Cocktail 2' actress ended her post saying that she, love being a Work In Progress!. Kriti loves to constantly push herself out of her comfort zone and try out new things. In 2023, she tried her hand at skydiving, ticking off another thing on her bucket list. She went to Dubai with her sister Nupur Sanon, where the two sisters decided to try skydiving. Sharing her experience with the netizens, Kriti uploaded a video on her official handle. The clip began with her saying, Yeah. Butterflies in stomach right now. After this, the 'Luka Chuppi' actress enjoyed her dive in the sky. Asked how she felt, Kriti said, Great! This is a like a free bird. The adrenaline-filled video was captioned, Jumping out of my comfort zone! Quite literally!! Wat an incredible experience!! Ticking off my bucket list #SkyDiving. Work-wise, Kriti last graced the big screen in Homi Adajania's Cocktail 2, co-starring Shahid Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna. Released in the cinema halls on 19 June 2026, the sequel turned out to be a moderate commercial success at the ticket counters.

bhaskarlive 20 Sep 2026 4:41 pm

The Vvaan team meets Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary; Sidharth Malhotra, Tamannaah Bhatia Film gets appreciation for showcasing their traditions

The team of The Vvaan: Force of the Forrest recently met Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary following their observance of the traditional Chhath Pooja. During the meeting, the Chief Minister appreciated the cast and crew for bringing the traditions and rituals of Bihar to mainstream Hindi cinema through the upcoming film. The team shared their experience of meeting the Chief Minister and expressed gratitude for the response they have received from Bihar and its people. In a statement, they said, Overwhelmed and grateful for the love and warmth we have received from Bihar and its people . It was a privilege to meet the Honble Chief Minister of Bihar, Shri Samrat Choudhary and share the world of THE VVAAN. Grateful for the support and encouragement as we bring this story which is rooted in spirit of the soil. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Balaji Motion Pictures (@balajimotionpictures) The Vvaan: Force of the Forrest is an upcoming folklore-fantasy thriller directed by Deepak Kumar Mishra, known for Panchayat, from a story written by TVF founder Arunabh Kumar. The film stars Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia in the lead roles, with Sunil Grover, Anup Soni, Shweta Tiwari and Maniesh Paul among the supporting cast. The narrative draws from Indian mythology and cultural folklore. Sidharth Malhotra plays an urban, rational man who returns to his ancestral village and initially dismisses the centuries-old beliefs surrounding a forbidden, sacred forest. However, after venturing beyond its boundaries after sunset, he unknowingly awakens an ancient divine deity and finds himself facing supernatural forces that threaten the village. Produced by Balaji Motion Pictures, led by Ektaa R. Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor, in association with TVF Motion Pictures and 11:11 Productions, The Vvaan: Force of the Forrest is slated to release theatrically on September 25, 2026. The film is expected to explore folklore and mythology against the backdrop of rural traditions, while bringing the supernatural thriller genre to the big screen. Following its theatrical run, the film is slated to have an exclusive streaming premiere on a major OTT platform. Also Read: Ektaa R Kapoor takes a DIG at out-of-touch creators: Humne desh se judna bandh kar diya; apne aap ko upar samajhte hain; Tamannaah Bhatia reveals her pandit, watchman was impressed by The Vvaans Chhath depiction

Bollywood Hungama 20 Sep 2026 3:41 pm

R Madhavan's son Vedaant to represent India at Asian Games 2026, shares heartfelt post

R Madhavan's son Vedaant Madhavan is set to represent India at the 20th Asian Games, which are currently taking place in Japan. The 21-year-old swimmer shared the news on Instagram, calling the opportunity to compete for his country a lifelong dream and expressing gratitude to everyone who has supported his journey.

India TV 20 Sep 2026 3:35 pm

Passage of Bills in Parliament without Discussion Obliterates Legislative Intent, Violates Deliberative and Consultative Process of Law Making

THE LEGISLATURE in a parliamentary democracy, apart from holding the Government to account, is mandated to perform two key functions, one of which is to make laws and the other to deliberate on issues concerning people, society and nation. The drought of debate It is rather tragic that, over the years, specifically after 2014, laws are being made by the Parliament without threadbare discussion of Bills introduced by the Government. It is well known that in a democracy laws are made by the legislature by following a deliberative and consultative process in which all stakeholders are involved and even the contents of the proposed legislation are subjected to scrutiny by the concerned committees of the Parliament consisting of members of both ruling and opposition parties. Over the years, especially after 2014, the passage of Bills in both Houses of Parliament without discussion and scrutiny by parliamentary committees has become the new normal, and it was glaringly manifested during the last monsoon session of the Parliament when 11 bills were passed, and 9 of them without any discussion in the Lok Sabha. It is all the more shocking that not a single member spoke on those 9 bills, except the concerned ministers who uttered a few words while introducing them in the House. The Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill was discussed in detail in both Houses, with nearly 48 members participating. As far as the bill amending the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 was concerned, only 16 MPs participated in the deliberation when it was taken up for discussion in the Rajya Sabha. The total time given to them was just 50 minutes, which means each MP spoke for an average of just three minutes. In the Lok Sabha, the same bill was passed within two minutes, with no MP participating in the discussion. The proportion of bills referred to Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committees for scrutiny and examination stood at just 21 percent for the 18th Lok Sabha; the corresponding figure was 71 percent for the 15th Lok Sabha. The percentage of bills being referred to the aforementioned standing committees shows a steady decline, with the figure being 28 percent in the 16th Lok Sabha and 16 percent in the 17th Lok Sabha. Incidental slip? This is not a one-off phenomenon, as analysis of previous terms of the Lok Sabha shows that committee referrals have declined sharply after 2014, even though the number of bills being introduced and passed has not declined. This means that more laws are being made with less deliberation or examination, and in some cases, none. It is salutary to recall that the three farm laws were framed and passed in 2020 without following the deliberative and consultative process of making laws. When the farmers, the stakeholders, agitated against those laws and the matter went to the Supreme Court, it appointed a committee so that the Government and farmers could discuss the provisions of law and find a solution to the issues which triggered the agitation. The discussion that the Government should have undertaken with the farmers before framing those laws was carried out only when the Supreme Court appointed a committee to do so. Eventually, the Modi Government repealed those laws because of sustained yearlong agitation launched by farmers against those laws. It is worth noting that the framing of those laws without consulting the farmers set an ominous example of dispensing with the process of deliberation in Parliament while exercising its power to make laws. Earlier in March, the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, taking away their right to determine their self-perceived gender identity was prepared without consulting stakeholders such as the National Council for Transgender Persons (NCTP) and eventually passed by a voice vote in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, disregarding the objections raised by the opposition parties and the Supreme Court-appointed expert committee on transgender rights. The said bill is violative of the 2014 SC judgment in NALSA v. Union of India that upheld the right of transgender persons to self-identification. The bill was not referred to the Standing or Select Committee for further scrutiny and stakeholder consultations, even after demands were made by the opposition to do so. Now the constitutionality of the law has been challenged in the Supreme Court on the ground that it violates the fundamental rights of the transgender community to define their identities. The passage of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, providing penal measures for preventing insults to Vande Mataram, was passed in the Lok Sabha with minimal debate that lasted for merely 14 minutes and was hurriedly passed in the Rajya Sabha as well. The importance of deliberation Both the Houses of Parliament, the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, are deliberative chambers, and if Bills are not discussed there before their passage, then the very basis of law-making, anchored in deliberation and scrutiny, gets demolished. While it is important to flag the support of majority members of the ruling party for passing the Bills, it is equally important to underline the legislative intent of the Parliament, which expresses not just the majority principle but also the views which might be contrary to the views of the party in power. Without deliberation, a legislature becomes a forum where voting takes place to pass legislation, bereft of debates backed by public reasoning and persuasive arguments. Without such debates and discussions, laws passed by the legislature by the sheer votes of a majority of MPs would be devoid of robust legislative intent. The legislative authority to enact laws acquires credibility only when it is anchored in the supporting and opposing views through open arguments between the government and the opposition. Deliberation is crucially important for generating legislative intent which underlines the intended purpose sustaining the legislation. The constitutional validity of any statute is assessed by the judiciary not merely by examining its bare provisions but by perusing parliamentary debates, parliamentary committee reports and the statements of the ministers proposing the bill to reconstruct the lawmakers intentions. Ascertaining the purpose of the legislature behind a piece of legislation is essential for all concerned stakeholders, including the citizens on whom the law applies. In a parliamentary democracy, the government is accountable to the legislature, where the executive needs to defend and explain its policies, including the proposed bills, before the opposition and to the public. Article 107 of the Constitution, dealing with provisions regarding the introduction and passing of bills, inter alia, provides, a Bill shall not be deemed to have been passed by the Houses of Parliament unless it has been agreed to by both Houses, either without amendment or with such amendments only as are agreed to by both Houses. The wording of the Article that a Bill shall not be deemed to have been passed by the Houses of Parliament unless it has been agreed to by both Houses is significant in conveying the legislative intent of the Constituent Assembly that the agreement is not to be achieved mechanically by just casting votes but through debates and discussions on Bills. Ambedkar firmly believed that parliamentary democracy is a government of discussion. A Government that legislates by using the Parliament and decides legislation without debate imposes its intent by dispensing with legislative intent. After all, the Bills framed by the Government represent its intent, and only when they are discussed in both the Houses of Parliament does the legislative intent generated by such discussion fine-tune the government intent. Passage of bills without discussion would violate the deliberative and consultative process through which the government is held accountable in the legislature. It is instructive to note that in India, the practice of reasoned and collective negotiation for making laws can be traced to our freedom struggle. Mahatma Gandhi started his first Satyagraha in Champaran in 1917 against the terrible exploitation of farmers of that region, forced by British planters to plant indigo in one third of the fertile portions of their land. Gandhi was denied entry into Champaran to investigate the causes of farmers suffering by British authorities, and on his refusal to leave the place, he was arrested for breach of peace and presented before a magistrate. When he was asked by the magistrate if he pleaded guilty, he not only pleaded guilty but also showed extraordinary courage in submitting to the penalty of disobedience. As the stunned magistrate asked him if he had to plead guilty, why did he violate the law at all? Gandhi boldly replied that he did so ...in obedience to the higher law of our being the voice of conscience. That power of truthful assertion to embrace suffering by breaking an unjust application of law put the British authorities at their wits end, and they dropped all charges against Gandhi and allowed him to investigate the causes behind the suffering of farmers. He then extensively consulted with farmers, British planters, scores of peasants, public figures and officials of the British bureaucracy and police. That deliberative and consultative process enabled him to understand the reasons behind the exploitation of farmers and produce a report to that effect. The British regime used it to frame legislation, the Champaran Agrarian Bill, 1918, to prohibit British planters from coercing farmers to plant indigo. The Bihar-Orissa assembly, where that Bill was introduced for consideration and passage, discussed it briefly and then referred it to its Select Committee for scrutiny and examination. Even a copy of the Bill was sent to Gandhi with a request to examine its contents and suggest amendments to its provisions. He did so, and the British authorities accepted his suggestion that the provision dealing with the summary power of the collectors to act against those filing frivolous complaints against British planters should be dropped. The modified Bill subsequently became the law, bringing an end to the exploitation of farmers. The Champaran Satyagraha, which began with Gandhi admittedly breaking a law for the cause of farmers, ended with the framing of a law by British authorities to put an end to the long spell of suffering of farmers at the hands of British planters. The Champaran Agrarian Act was not just a unilateral decision but an example of how an extremely powerful colonial government was forced to negotiate and deliberate with all the stakeholders. Sadly, during the last decade, this deliberation and negotiation process has not been followed for preparing Bills and enacting them as laws. Benchmark of deliberation in Indian democracy It is important to be mindful of the fact that the Constitution of our country is a product of the thoughtful and careful deliberations that took place in the Constituent Assembly, the transcripts of which serve as the most important authoritative guide to understanding the intention of the drafters of the Constitution. Ambedkar urged the citizens to put their trust in constitutional methods to achieve social and economic objectives. He emphasised the conditions necessary for sustaining democracy not just in form but also in fact. In his speech delivered in Bombay (now Mumbai) on 25th September 1947 at the inauguration of the Siddharth College Parliament, he remarked that in a parliamentary government, the decisions are not the result of the wishes of any particular individual. He proceeded to emphatically add that debate in legislatures is of immense importance and has wider relevance and significance beyond the issue being discussed. In the same speech he said, Although parliamentary democracy for the purpose accepted the principle of a majority rule, do not think that you can by any way you like ill-treat or put to a disadvantage a minority. You will create a great deal of trouble for yourself in this very House. The minority must always be won over. It must never be dictated to. The constitutional methods he urged citizens to follow were also aimed at facilitating reasonable deliberation and consultation to deepen public reasoning so that democracy is deepened and grievances of people are addressed in a peaceful and legitimate manner. A legislature that functions mechanically fails Ambedkar and the constitutional values in which he believed. It is worthwhile to recall that on many occasions the Supreme Court, while adjudicating the constitutional validity of the statutes, finds it hard to understand the intention of the legislature which gave its approval when those were presented in the form of bills to it for consideration and passage. In an event marking the 75 years of Parliamentary Democracy at the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly in July 2022, the then Chief Justice N.V. Ramana stated that the country was witnessing laws being passed without detailed deliberation and scrutiny. He further stated that instead of engaging in meaningful debates for furthering democracy, politics has become acrimonious. The diversity of opinion enriches polity and society. Political opposition should not translate into hostility, which we are sadly witnessing these days. These are not signs of a healthy democracy. It is becoming harder for the judiciary to trace the legislative intent for the enactments being passed without detailed scrutiny or discussion. The judiciarys burden of interpretation, as stated by Justice N.V. Ramana, is increasing as there is ambiguity in laws and the legislative intent is unclear. In the case of Anoop Barnwal v. Union of India (2023), the Supreme Court, factoring in the legislative intent of the Constituent Assembly for establishing an Election Commission of India independent of the executive, directed that the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner (ECI) and Election Commissioners (ECs) shall be made by the President in consultation with a committee consisting of the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition and the Chief Justice of India. The same year after the SC judgment, the Parliament enacted the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointments, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023. It replaced the Chief Justice on the Selection Committee with a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister. This legislation was enacted with limited public deliberation and its constitutional validity has been challenged in the apex court, as it allegedly gives control of the appointment of the CEC and ECs back to the executive, diluting the judgment in Anoop Barnwal v. Union of India, wherein the invocation of the legislative intent of the Constituent Assembly was defended by the learned judges by quoting from the SC judgment in His Holiness Kesavananda Bharati Sripadagalvaru v. State of Kerala . It was stated by the SC in the Kesavananda Bharati judgment that : If the debates in the Constituent Assembly can be looked into to understand the legislative history of a provision of the Constitution including its derivation, that is, the various steps leading up to and attending its enactment, to ascertain the intention of the makers of the Constitution, it is difficult to see why the debates are inadmissible to throw light on the purpose and general intent of the provision. After all, legislative history only tends to reveal the legislative purpose in enacting the provision and thereby sheds light upon legislative intent. It would be drawing an invisible distinction if resort to debates is permitted simply to show the legislative history and the same is not allowed to show the legislative intent Multiple studies and research have shown that parliamentary deliberation has almost been abandoned. Surely, the NDA government has not uniquely abandoned the practice of parliamentary deliberation, but it definitely has deepened it. The legislature has the responsibility of representing the people and keeping the government in check. Under this current regime, the legislature has slowly started to be treated like a mouthpiece for the government, with multiple laws being passed without deliberation. Lack of deliberation and the control of the executive over Parliament have made the functioning of the legislature a means to give a stamp of approval to what the government does. The problem is structural as well; multiple powers have been given to the government, such as summoning Parliament, deciding the agenda and the functions of Parliament and also referring bills to the standing committees. In such a situation where the executive gains control over important matters, parliamentary deliberation becomes of utmost importance. The executive that treats debate in Parliament as optional or as a formality rather than a constitutional mandate for passing bills risks wiping out the legislative intent that the judiciary and the citizens rely upon to understand the reasoning of the legislature behind the enactments of law. Ambedkar and the members of the Constituent Assembly spent 165 days deliberating every single Article, clause and word of the Constitution. In a democracy, the legitimacy of law lies not only with the majority that enacts it but also with the reasoning behind it. For the judiciary to interpret laws by factoring in the legislative intent behind statutes and for the citizens to hold their representatives accountable, recovering the discipline of deliberation is extremely crucial. The balance of powers needs to be maintained between the executive and the legislature. The decline in the process of parliamentary debate in India has significantly contributed to an increase in the authoritative nature of this government, which imperils the Constitution. Thankfully, people are now at the forefront to save it, and therefore, the powers that be must act in tune with peoples unbending bravery in defence of the constitutional scheme of governance based on deliberation and consultation.

theleaflet 20 Sep 2026 2:05 pm

Varun Dhawan, David Dhawan react to Salman Khan taking off T-shirt on Bigg Boss

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 20 (IANS) When Bollywood superstar Salman Khan gets serious, the whole industry sits up and takes notice. Actor Varun Dhawan, who was recently seen in Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, reacted to the actor taking off his t-shirt on the latest episode of Bigg Boss. On Sunday, Varun took to the Stories section of his Instagram, and shared a video of himself and his father, David Dhawan watching the latest episode of Bigg Boss, the moment when took off his t-shirt. While Varun did not write anything on the video, his fathers reaction to Salmans gesture. On the latest episode of Salman Khan lashed out at trolls who body shame actors. This came after trolls on social media body-shamed actress Katrina Kaif for her postpartum weight gain. He also slammed the trolls, who targeted him for his weight gain, and speculation over him wearing hed gear in recent public appearances. The superstar said on the show, Kamaal hai! Pehle, apne aap ko dekho bhai. Yeh jo aap log comment karte ho na, jiske upar, kisi ke bhi upar, pehle apni shakal dekhlo. Apna jism dekhlo usme baad karna ye (First, look at yourself, brother. You people who comment on someone, first look at your own face. Look at your own body, and then do this). Apne maa-baap ko dekhlo pehle, unki sehat dekhlo. Uske baad karna, samjhe? Ek samajh aata hai ki 'bhai, you've lost weight or put on weight... woh samajh aata hai, lekin mazaak udaana (Look at your parents first, look at their health. Then go ahead and do it, understood? It is understandable if you say, 'Brother, youve lost weight or put on weight. That is fine, but making fun of someone)?, he added. Salman also took Varuns name while citing how celebrities appearances often become the fodder for uncouth public discourse.

bhaskarlive 20 Sep 2026 1:30 pm

Ketan Agarwal murder: Chargesheet cites fake Instagram account, ChatGPT research

Agarwal died on June 18 after allegedly being pushed from Lohagad Fort. His fiancee Siya Goyal, her alleged lover Chetan Choudhary and Ritesh Hange were arrested in connection with the case

Mid Day 20 Sep 2026 1:05 pm

HC directs UP Police to ensure safety of same-sex live-in couple

Prayagraj: The Allahabad High Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh Police to ensure the protection of an inter-faith same-sex couple in a live-in relationship, saying the lack of marital recognition does not give anyone the liberty to attack the dignity and physical safety of adult citizens. Justice Gautam Chowdhary said the couple has the freedom Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

The Siasat Daily 20 Sep 2026 12:09 pm

Chess Olympiad: Indian men face first stern test against Holland

Indias second-seeded men will face sixth-seeded Netherlands in the fifth round of the Chess Olympiad after beating Spain. D Gukesh and Nihal Sarin have impressed, while R Praggnanandhaa and Arjun Erigaisi remain under scrutiny. The Indian women, also unbeaten, will meet Poland, with Savitha Shri and Vantika Agrawal leading the charge.

The Economic Times 20 Sep 2026 12:07 pm

Pune Murder Accused Siya Goyal Made Fake Instagram ID To Lure Husband To Fort

Ketan Agarwal died after being pushed off the fort on June 18, following which his fiancee, Siya Goyal, and her lover, Chetan Chaudhary, were arrested.

NDTV 20 Sep 2026 11:20 am

Over 10.40 lakh ASHAs, 10.58 lakh Anganwadi workers strengthening rural institutions

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 20 (IANS) More than 10.40 lakh accredited social health activists (ASHAs) and 10.58 lakh trained Anganwadi workers are strengthening community healthcare and early childhood services, enabling convergence and strengthening local institutions, according to a government factsheet on Sunday. A network of trained grassroots workers forms the backbone of decentralised service delivery. These workers support the implementation of government programmes, mobilise communities, and provide timely assistance at the village level. Over 9 lakh Community Resource Persons (CRPs) are active at the grassroots, serving areas such as agriculture, banking and insurance, etc. Of these, nearly 4.08 lakh CRPs work on livelihoods in agriculture and allied activities and rural enterprises, and are variously known as Krishi Sakhis, Pashu Sakhis, Matsya Sakhis, and Van Sakhis. The remaining nearly 5 lakh CRPs work as Bank Sakhis, Business Correspondent Sakhis, Financial Literacy CRPs, Bima Sakhis, and Gender Champions, providing essential support across other specialised areas, like financial inclusion, financial literacy, insurance, gender awareness, and community development. In addition, there are frontline workers like Swachhagrahis, providing sanitation support, said the factsheet. Notably, Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) is central to this approach. It has established one of the countrys largest networks of women-led community institutions, mobilizing more than 10 crore rural households into around 92 lakh Self-Help Groups (SHGs) across the country. With nearly 48,785 Udyog Sakhis supporting non-farm livelihoods and CRP-EPs providing specialized support under the Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP), a strong institutional network has been established to promote rural entrepreneurship. As of June 2026, 4.32 lakh enterprises have been supported under SVEP. Additionally, building on this institutional network, the Government is implementing the National Campaign on Entrepreneurship to train 50,000 CRPs on enterprise promotion and provide enterprise development training to 50 lakh SHG members, said the factsheet. Moreover, Business Correspondent (BC) Sakhis and Bank Sakhis are trained women community cadres promoted under the DAY-NRLM who function as grassroots financial intermediaries. Over 1.48 lakh BC Sakhis provide a range of digital, doorstep financial services in villages, including account opening, deposits, withdrawals, fund transfers, and balance inquiries over 50,548 branch-level Bank Sakhis facilitate credit linkage. Till date, Bank Sakhis have helped SHGs access rs 13.41 lakh crore in bank credit since 2013-14. This ecosystem is further supported by 56,727 Financial Literacy CRPs, who conduct village-level awareness campaigns.

bhaskarlive 20 Sep 2026 10:05 am

Naila Grrewal on how she deals with social media trolls: Just keep doing your work

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 20 (IANS) Actress Naila Grrewal revealed how she deals with social media trolls and whether she believes in responding to these trolls. Speaking to IANS exclusively, Naila said that online trolls do not affect her, as she believes that it is not good to give so much importance to faceless people hiding behind the screen. She added that one should just focus on their work She was asked, How much do social media trolls affect you? Do you respond to trolls? Naila shared with IANS, It does not affect me that much. I feel giving so much importance to nameless and faceless people is not good for your health. You just keep doing your work and take your work seriously. As I said, these things will keep coming. Today it is Instagram trolls; tomorrow it will be something else. But your work and your focus should not be shaken, she went on to add. The 'Maamla Legal Hai ' actress was further asked, Sometimes actors put in so much effort to establish themselves, while projects are also offered to social media influencers and creators because of their reach. According to you, how frustrating can that be for an actor? Naila said that she feels this is the reality today. However, she added, But serious directors who give the most importance to their scripts will never sign an actor based only on numbers. They will sign someone based on their work and potential. At the end of the day, if you are a strong performer, regardless of whether you are also an influencer or social media star, I feel that is not the main point. Your performance and the work you bring to the table will ultimately get you work. All these things will keep changing. Today it is Instagram; tomorrow it will be something else. But acting is not going anywhere. If your acting foundation is solid, you will definitely get work, she concluded.

bhaskarlive 20 Sep 2026 9:44 am

Salman Khan apologises for the chest pain prank on 'Bigg Boss 20': It totally beats the purpose

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 20 (IANS) The latest episode of 'Weekend Ka Vaar' was full of drama, with host Salman Khan leaving the contestants and fans extremely worried about his health after he was suddenly seen experiencing chest pain. Salman asked for water and looked breathless in one of the promos of the show. However, later on, the 'Sultan' actor issued a clarification, confirming that he is doing well. In his post, he apologized on behalf of the makers for cutting a misleading promo. Salman's post on his Instagram Story read, Nothing is wrong with my health by the grace of God. The Bigg Boss promo should not have been cut like the way it was cut. (sic) The host called out contestant Qazi Touqeer for pretending to have mental health issues, leaving everyone worried. It totally beats the purpose and looks like I am doing the same thing that Qazi was doing in the house, the pain was only to show Qazi that what he did was wrong because he used his health for entertainment specially when the 15 people in the house were not aware that he was acting and were getting worried for his health. Sorry about the way the promo was cut. Guess it's the format that they use in promoting the shows, I apologise on their behalf, the post further read. It must be noted that Qazi has been pretending to have mental health issues. He would secretly tell the cameras that he was pretending that he was not feeling well. He even called the doctors inside the house once; however, when they came to check on him, he told them that it was all part of his prank. While initially the housemates expressed genuine concern for Qazi, with time, a few of the contestants predicted that Qazi was pretending to be suffering from mental health issues.

bhaskarlive 20 Sep 2026 9:21 am

Deepika, Ranveer blessed with baby girl

Bollywood star couple Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh have been blessed with a baby girl. On Saturday evening, the couple announced the arrival of their second child via a joint post on Instagram. They shared a cute picture of a baby footprint, expressing happiness as their family expanded from 3 to 4. Welcome Baby Girl. []

The Shillong Times 20 Sep 2026 7:07 am

Lily Collins bids farewell to Emily in Paris

Actor Lily Collins has bid adieu to Emily Cooper after wrapping filming the sixth and final season of Netflixs popular romantic comedy-drama Emily in Paris. Collins, who has played the American marketing executive since the series premiered in 2020, shared an emotional note on Instagram after completing her final day on set. Im speechless. Its []

The Shillong Times 20 Sep 2026 7:04 am

Kashmir finds its way into my work almost instinctively.

Yourself and your journey as an illustrator and graphic designer: My name is Ghazal Qadri, and I am a Kashmiri-born illustrator and graphic designer. I grew up in Kashmir and later moved away for high school and higher education. I hold a bachelors degree in Accessory Design from NIFT and an MA in Illustration from the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, USA. I currently work as a freelance illustrator and am represented by Sara Crowe Literary. My work is inspired by everyday life, childhood, culture, people-watching and birdwatching. I enjoy creating comics, picture books and designs for social causes. My style is expressive, colourful and character-driven, with a special interest in projects related to children, education and community. Your earliest memories of art, and when did you realise illustration was your calling. Some of my earliest memories of art are of sitting in my room surrounded by things most people would call junk. I would spread out a bedsheet, bring out my collection of paper, glue, driftwood and other little finds, and start making something from them. My father would always wait to see what I had created, and he loved displaying my handmade pieces around the house. Many of them are still there today. My familys encouragement made me want to keep creating. Later, when I moved to a boarding school in Jaipur, I was surrounded by creative people and many new opportunities. My teachers and classmates encouraged me to take part in art competitions and activities. That experience gave me confidence and helped me realise that art and illustration were something I wanted to pursue seriously. My father always encouraged creativity at home, and both my brother and I had the freedom to explore our interests. My brother was also artistic, although he eventually chose a different career path and did very well in it. I decided to continue with art. I loved making things out of discarded materials, and that interest led me to study Accessory Design at NIFT Hyderabad. Later, I joined a design studio where I had the opportunity to work on illustration projects. That experience gave me the confidence to pursue illustration more seriously as a career. Your journey from Kashmir to the United States unfold. My journey began when political unrest in Kashmir disrupted education in 2010. My family decided to send me to a boarding school in Jaipur so that my studies would not suffer. It was difficult to leave home, but the experience introduced me to new creative opportunities. I participated in art competitions, received encouragement from teachers and began to understand that art could become a serious career. I later studied product and lifestyle-accessory design at NIFT Hyderabad and then worked as an illustrator at Lollypop Design Studio in Bangalore. In 2018, I travelled to Buffalo, New York, for an art fellowship connected with Roswell Park. That was one of my earliest professional experiences in the United States and gave me valuable exposure to the international creative community. I subsequently completed my masters degree in Illustration at the Maryland Institute College of Art in 2020. After graduating, I continued working in the United States as a freelance illustrator and visual designer. I have lived in several cities during that journey and am now based in Dallas. How much of Kashmir finds its way into your work, consciously or subconsciously? Kashmir finds its way into my work almost instinctively. Sometimes it appears consciously through the language, humour, clothing, crafts and everyday traditions I illustrate. Projects such as the Kath Baath stickers, for example, grew from my desire to preserve Kashmiri phrases and translate them visually for both Kashmiri and non-Kashmiri audiences. Which artists, writers or illustrators have influenced your style the most? Gemma Correll, Mike Lowery and Huda are some of my favourite artists. Their work is similar to the kind of illustration I enjoy, and they continue to inspire me. My earliest and strongest influence, however, was Alicia Souza. Her work had a very positive impact on the way I observe and illustrate everyday life. I even had a little fan moment when I got the chance to meet her at an event once. Which assignment has been the most meaningful, and why? The most special assignment for me has been Sonth Is Here because it was my debut book as an author-illustrator. My father supported me a lot throughout the process, and the editors and art directors at Pratham Books helped me shape and develop the book. It is still very special to me because it is closely connected to my own feelings, experiences and memories of Kashmir. Books, publications or brands you have illustrated for. I have worked across childrens publishing, comics, editorial illustration, branding and educational communication. I wrote and illustrated Sonth Is Here, published by Pratham Books, which celebrates the arrival of spring in Kashmir. I also illustrated Say Something, Poupeh Babaee!, a middle-grade graphic novel written by Haleh Massey and published by Yellow Jacket. It follows an Iranian girl navigating immigration, family separation, and selective mutism. This was launched this year in January. Another memorable book was Allie and the Albino Squirrel, written by E. K. McCoy and published through Atmosphere Press. For that project, I combined illustrated characters with photographic backgrounds to create a distinctive visual world. I have also worked on projects with UNICEF, Tulika Publishers, SIHA magazine, DreamWorks and Gifts of Love. In the branding space, I have developed packaging, mascots and visual identities for food, education and community-focused organisations. Do you think digital platforms have made it easier for artists from smaller regions to reach international audiences? Absolutely. Digital platforms have significantly reduced geographical limitations. An artist can now share their work from Kashmir and have it seen by publishers, clients, and audiences across the globe. For instance, my Kashmiri illustrations and WhatsApp stickers were initially shared online, reaching Kashmiris living in many different countries. Surprisingly, they also resonated with people who didn't understand the Kashmiri language but still connected with the expressions and humour. At first, my father and I spent hours manually forwarding the stickers one by one to people who sent direct messages on my Instagram, until a friend eventually designed a dedicated app for me. My website and social media platforms have also been instrumental in helping editors, publishers, and collaborators discover my work. However, gaining visibility online is just the beginning; artists still need a distinct voice, a robust portfolio, and consistency to turn that exposure into a sustainable career. Are there any upcoming books, exhibitions or collaborations that you can share with our readers? My middle-grade graphic novel Say Something, Poupeh Babaee! was recently published, and seeing such a large and emotionally layered project finally become a book was very special. I do not have an exhibition announcement at the moment, but I would love to eventually present a body of work centred on Kashmiri memories, humour and everyday culture. You have also made WhatsApp stickers, reflecting Kashmiri emotions, vibe. How did the idea come to you? Are you planning more such stickers? The idea began in the summer of 2018, when I returned home to Kashmir. While attending weddings, going on picnics and visiting villages, I felt deeply nostalgic about our language, humour and everyday expressions. The first illustration in the series came from a personal moment. My mother used the Kashmiri expression Kharizaleeli for me, and I immediately felt inspired to turn it into a character. I posted the illustration on Instagram, and people responded to it with so much excitement and recognition. That reaction encouraged me to create more and the series kept growing. Coincidentally, WhatsApp introduced its sticker feature at the same time, I realised these illustrations could become something people could actually use in their daily conversations. The characters wore pherans and traditional headgear and expressed familiar emotions, phrases and proverbs. My father really helped me share the stickers with his contacts in the beginning, and gradually they reached Kashmiris around the world. Yes! I would love to revisit the series and create a new collection. Kashmiri language and humour continue to evolve, especially among younger generations and the diaspora, so there are many new expressions, emotions and situations that could be explored through stickers.

Greater Kashmir 20 Sep 2026 6:36 am

Carrot Tops Hospital Scare Takes EMOTIONAL Turn As Family Makes Plea For Privacy

Comedian Carrot Top has been hospitalised in Las Vegas after being rushed to a medical facility for emergency care, prompting concern among fans. The longtime Luxor performer is now recovering, with his Las Vegas engagement suspended following the hospitalisation. His family and representatives have shared an emotional update, while MGM Resorts has also expressed support. Carrot Tops final Instagram post before the hospitalisation is also drawing renewed attention as fans send prayers and messages of support.

The Times of India 20 Sep 2026 12:46 am

1975 batch returns to school after nearly 50 years: Childhood friends carry backpacks, wear water bottles & recreate their school days, leaving the internet delighted

Nearly five decades after leaving school, a group of friends from the 1976 batch returned to their old school and recreated their childhood memories. Instagram user Rakesh Nagar shared a video showing the friends dressed like students, complete with backpacks and water bottles, as they walked through their former school and revisited old games and activities. The nostalgic reunion touched social media users, with many calling the moment memorable and emotional.

The Economic Times 20 Sep 2026 12:05 am

TET paper leak: Question papers smuggled in shoe insoles for Rs 8,000

Maharashtra TET question papers were allegedly smuggled out of an Agra printing press hidden inside shoe insoles, with two employees reportedly paid Rs 8,000 each. Thane Police have chargesheeted 18 accused, including alleged mastermind Bijendra Gupta

Mid Day 19 Sep 2026 11:52 pm

Ketan Agarwal Murder: Chargesheet Filed

Pune police have filed a 5053-page chargesheet in the Ketan Agarwal murder case, detailing how his fiance Siya Goyal, her alleged lover Chetan Choudhary, and Ritesh Hange conspired to push him off Lohagad Fort. The chargesheet reveals the use of a fake Instagram account, online research, and even ChatGPT to plan the murder and avoid detection, after previous attempts failed.

Rediff 19 Sep 2026 11:01 pm

Rs 12,000 iPhone EMI, Rs 16,500 Mumbai rent: 25-year-old Mumbai founder reveals the real cost of living independently in the city

A 25-year-old Mumbai founder, Jahnvi Shah, has shared her monthly expense breakdown in an Instagram video, revealing regular spending of around Rs 52,000. Her costs include Rs 16,500 for rent, Rs 12,000 for an iPhone EMI, Rs 8,000-Rs 10,000 on groceries and food delivery, up to Rs 6,000 on commuting, and other utility and subscription expenses. She said the amount does not include savings, shopping, travel, eating out or unexpected costs.

The Economic Times 19 Sep 2026 10:45 pm

Visakhapatnam: Naidu Assures Resolution of Panchagramalu Land Dispute

Distributes houses titles to 28,445 beneficiaries under the Pedalaku Pattabhishekam Mee Illu Mee Hakku programme in Visakhapatnam.

Deccan Chronicle 19 Sep 2026 10:42 pm

Taurus Horoscope 19 Sep 2026

AstroSage.com, You can start your day with Yoga and Meditation. Doing this will be beneficial for you and you will maintain your energy levels throughout the day. Incase you are looking for ways to make little extra money- invest in secure financial schemes. Unexpected gifts and presents from relatives and friends. Today you will feel the fragrance of your friend in his absence. Travel will be beneficial but expensive. Some think that married life is mostly about fights and sex, but today everything will be serene. You will remain calm at heart, which is why you will be able to create a good atmosphere at home. Lucky Number: 5

Day Horoscope 19 Sep 2026 9:52 pm

In major reshuffle, Uttar Pradesh transfers 35 IPS officers

Digital Desk | Lucknow, Sep 19 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh has ordered the transfer of 35 IPS officers in a major reshuffle announced on Saturday. The changes cover officers from the 2014 to 2022 batches and affect several key positions in police commissionerates and districts across the state. Charu Nigam of the 2014 batch has been shifted from the post of Police Superintendent of UP-112 in Lucknow to Commandant of the 47th Battalion of the Provincial Armed Constabulary in Ghaziabad. Shravan Kumar Singh has been moved from Deputy Commissioner of Police in Kanpur Nagar to the same rank in Gautam Buddh Nagar. Pramod Kumar has been transferred from Deputy Commissioner of Police in Varanasi to Police Superintendent at the Cyber Headquarters in Lucknow, while Ravi Shankar Nim goes from Gautam Buddh Nagar to Commandant of the 2nd Battalion of the Special Security Force in Gorakhpur. Atul Sharma-II has been posted as Police Superintendent at the Intelligence Headquarters in Lucknow after serving as Deputy Commissioner of Police in Agra. Sonam Kumar shifts from Agra to Prayagraj as Deputy Commissioner of Police, and Ravindra Kumar moves from Kanpur Nagar to Agra in the same capacity. Neeraj Kumar Pandey has been transferred from Prayagraj to Police Superintendent at the Police Headquarters in Prayagraj. Mamta Rani Chaudhary goes from Lucknow Commissionerate to Police Superintendent in the CID at Lucknow, while Mohd. Irfan Ansari has been shifted from Prayagraj Police Headquarters to CID Headquarters in Lucknow. Saad Miya Khan and Syed Ali Abbas have exchanged postings between Gautam Buddh Nagar and Agra. Shruti Srivastava has been moved from Varanasi to Prayagraj as Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police. Vikram Dahiya has been moved from Pilibhit to Chandauli as Additional Police Superintendent, while Ayush Srivastava has been shifted from Jaunpur to Unnao as Police Superintendent of the city. Rajesh Gunawat has been promoted and posted as Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police in Varanasi, and Anant Chandrashekhar moves from Chandauli to Jaunpur as Police Superintendent of the city. Among the 2022 batch officers, Devesh Chaturvedi goes from Ayodhya to Ambedkar Nagar as Additional Police Superintendent, Vivek Tiwari from Kheri to Barabanki, and Sumit Sudhakar Ramteke from Kanpur Nagar to Sambhal. Ariba Noman has been posted as Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police in Kanpur Nagar, Manoj Kumar Yadav to Agra in the same rank, and Rijul to Ghaziabad. Gautam Rai shifts within Bijnor to the rural charge, while Mavis Talk moves from Banda to Sonbhadra. Several SPS officers have also been reassigned. Jitendra Kumar Srivastava goes to Lucknow Commissionerate, Kapil Dev Singh to the Traffic Headquarters in Lucknow, Gyanendra Nath Prasad to Agra, Balwant Kumar Chaudhary to Ghaziabad, Abhay Nath Tripathi to Kanpur Nagar, Harendra Kumar to Agra, Rajesh Kumar Pandey to Varanasi, Harendra Pratap Yadav to UP-112 in Lucknow, Kuldeep Singh to the 43rd Battalion PAC in Etah and Vineet Bhatnagar to Varanasi. The officers have been directed to join their new assignments at the earliest.

bhaskarlive 19 Sep 2026 7:51 pm

Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh welcome their second child

Mumbai: Bollywood power couple Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh have welcomed a baby girl, adding another beautiful chapter to their family. The couple shared the happy news on Instagram on September 19 with a joint post featuring a tiny footprint. The announcement read, Welcome Baby Girl! 19|9|2026, and was signed, Dua, Deepika & Ranveer. The Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

The Siasat Daily 19 Sep 2026 7:46 pm

Flipkart Mobile's Instagram Handle Accidentally Leaked the iPhone 17 Big Billion Days Price and It Is Unbelievably Cheap!

Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], September 19: In what is turning out to be a huge mistake, Flipkart's official mobile account on Instagram accidentally posted the upcoming Big Billion Days sale price for the iPhone 17 as part of a carousel post that talks about phone myths.

Business Standard 19 Sep 2026 7:45 pm

Vicky Kaushal, Alia Bhatt and other celebs congratulate Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh on second child

Bollywood star couple Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh have welcomed their second child on September 19. The duo shared the joyful news with their fans and followers through a cute social media post on Instagram.

India TV 19 Sep 2026 7:43 pm

Subhash Ghai celebrates Ishita Deshmukh as Gondhal becomes Indias official Oscar entry

Filmmaker and educator Subhash Ghai has congratulated actor Ishita Deshmukh following the selection of Gondhal as Indias official entry for the Oscars. Deshmukh, who plays the lead in the Marathi film, is an alumna of the Whistling Woods Actor Studio, making the recognition a notable milestone for the institute as well as the actor. Ghai took to Instagram to share his reaction to the films selection and Ishitas association with the project. Highlighting her training at Whistling Woods International, he wrote, Oscar matters. Today Whistling Woods International is proud of our Ishita Deshmukh, an alumnus from Whistling Woods Actor Studio, for her Marathi film Gondhal, which has been selected as Indias official entry for the Oscar Awards. Gondhal, written and directed by Santosh Davakhar, was selected as Indias entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards. The films selection has brought attention to its team, including Deshmukh, who leads the cast. Ghai also extended his congratulations to Davakhar and acknowledged Deshmukhs work in the film. In his message, the filmmaker offered special congratulations to the writer-director and praised Ishita for her outstanding performance in Gondhal. View this post on Instagram A post shared by SG (@subhashghai1) For Deshmukh, the recognition comes after a career that includes work across television and cinema. Ghai also recalled her earlier association with Mukta Arts Films, where she played the lead role in Jaanaki, a Doordarshan television drama that ran for 208 episodes. The actors work has also received recognition at the Filmfare Awards, where she won the Best Debut award earlier this year. Deshmukhs association with Whistling Woods Actor Studio adds another aspect to the films Oscar journey, with Ghai using the occasion to highlight the institutes role in training emerging performers. However, the recognition for Gondhal comes from the films selection as Indias official Oscar entry, with the wider team now moving into the next stage of the Academy Awards process. Concluding his message, Ghai extended his wishes to the films team and Deshmukh, writing, We cheer and bless the team of Gondhal and Ishita. As Gondhal begins its journey towards the 99th Academy Awards, Deshmukhs performance and her journey from theatre and television to leading a film selected as Indias official entry have become part of the conversation surrounding the Marathi film. Also Read: Mrunal Thakur celebrates Marathi Film Gondhal as Indias official Oscar entry for 2027; says, What a moment of pride

Bollywood Hungama 19 Sep 2026 7:41 pm

Jackie Shroff shares heartwarming moment with veteran actress Shubha Kote; watch video

Jackie Shroff recently shared a heartwarming glimpse of his time with veteran actress Shubha Kote, giving his followers a look at a candid moment between two personalities associated with different generations of Indian cinema. The actor took to Instagram to post a short video featuring Shubha, with the simple gesture drawing attention from fans and members of the film fraternity. In the video, Jackie can be seen spending time with Shubha Kote and affectionately wrapping a shawl around her. The gesture came across as a warm, familial moment, with Jackie tending to the veteran actress with fondness. Along with the video, Jackie expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to spend time with Shubha and revisit memories associated with the golden era of Indian cinema. He also acknowledged Shubhas daughter, Bhavana Balsavar, in his message. Grateful for moments spent with legends! Reliving fond memories of classic Indian cinema with the ever graceful Shubha Khote ji, Jackie wrote. The video soon received reactions from followers and industry insiders, who responded to the interaction between the actor and the veteran actress. The moment also offered a glimpse into Jackies affection for senior artistes and his connection with the legacy of Hindi cinema. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jackie Shroff (@apnabhidu) Shubha Kote has been a familiar face in Indian cinema for several decades, having worked across films and television during a career spanning multiple generations. Her work has made her a recognisable presence in classic Hindi films, while her association with the industry has continued through her family. For Jackie, the interaction comes as another personal moment shared with his followers on social media, where the actor frequently posts glimpses from his life, meetings and memories. Rather than being centred around a film announcement or professional update, the latest post focused on his time with Shubha and the warmth of their interaction. The shawl gesture became the standout moment of the video, with Jackies affectionate manner towards Shubha adding to the emotional quality of the post. His accompanying message further framed the meeting as an opportunity to revisit memories of classic Indian cinema. The video has since been met with love from followers, highlighting the continued affection audiences have for both Jackie Shroff and Shubha Kote. Also Read: Jackie Shroff recalls how his mother sparked his love for nature: My mother was very fond of flowers

Bollywood Hungama 19 Sep 2026 7:41 pm

Converse pulls 'deeply upsetting' advert after backlash

Social media users say an image from the brand's Instagram account resembled a KKK hood and hanging.

BBC 19 Sep 2026 7:35 pm

Caste census: Congress gives Chalo Delhi call on Nov 1 for separate OBC column

Digital Desk | Nagpur, Sep 19 (IANS) Intensifying the demand for a separate column for Other Backward Classes (OBC) in the upcoming nationwide caste-based census, Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Saturday announced a large-scale agitational campaign culminating in a Chalo Delhi march on November 1. The strategy was finalised during a key Vidarbha-level meeting of OBC leaders, office-bearers, and prominent activists held in Nagpur to address long-standing grievances facing the community. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Wadettiwar, a Congress Legislature Party leader in the Maharashtra Assembly, said a separate column for OBCs in the caste census is indispensable. He said, Our demand is explicit: there must be a caste-wise census with a dedicated column for OBCs. The governments current decisions regarding the census process have sparked widespread discontent within the OBC community. If the true population of OBCs is not accurately documented, issues surrounding their political representation and reservation benefits will become increasingly severe. Following a preliminary meeting of nearly 65 OBC organisations from across the country held in Delhi on September 13, a phased nationwide agitation roadmap has been unveiled. Wadettiwar said that on October 2 (Gandhi Jayanti and Lal Bahadur Shastri Jayanti), taluka-level Satyagraha (peaceful protests) will be organised; on October 25, district-level protest marches across the state; and on November 1, the Chalo Delhi rally to push the central government to action. The exact framework of the Delhi demonstration will be finalised in consultation with allied organisations across the country. Beyond the census, Wadettiwar raised concerns regarding student welfare and state support for marginalised communities. He accused the Maharashtra state government of stalling tactics in allocating funds to autonomous institutes like Mahajyoti and BARTI. He urged the administration to release funding proportional to the population and ensure timely disbursement of pre-matric and post-matric scholarships. Addressing the sensitive ongoing debate over Maratha reservation in Maharashtra, Wadettiwar reaffirmed that the OBC community opposes any dilution of its existing quota. The government should not slice away rights from one community to satisfy another. If the government wants to grant reservation to any group, it should do so independently. Do not allocate any portion of the OBC quota to others. If our constitutional rights are encroached upon, we will not sit quietly, he cautioned.

bhaskarlive 19 Sep 2026 7:23 pm

Isabelle Kaif and Sunny Kaushal dating? Fans spot romance in their similar Turkey vacation posts

The speculation began with a few photos. Sunny Kaushal dropped a carousel of photos on Instagram. Some snaps in the photo dump bore a striking resemblance to another post shared by Isabelle Kaif.

IBTimes 19 Sep 2026 7:21 pm

Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh welcome baby girl number two

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 19 (IANS) Bollywood's power couple, Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone, welcomed their second child on 19 September 2026. The duo has become parents to a baby girl for the second time. They took to their official Instagram handles and shared a joint post featuring a tiny footprint, along with the words, Welcome baby girl...19/9/2026...Dua, Deepika, Ranveer (sic). For the caption, they simply added an evil eye emoticon. As the post reached the platform, congratulatory messages started pouring in for Ranveer and Deepika. Actress Kriti Sanon shared, Awww!! congratulations you guys!!! Dua has a baby sister!!! Such a blessing! Singer Shreya Ghoshal wrote, Congratulations in the comment section, followed by several red heart emoticons. Actress Kriti Kharbanda added, Congratulations!, along with a red heart emoji. Designer Masaba Gupta commented, Two girls! What more does one ask for. Many others from the industry flooded the comment section with lovely messages. Earlier this month, Ranveer and Deepika treated the netizens with some adorable family pics with the now big sister, Dua. They had captioned these lovely black-and-white stills, On Tuesday, Ranveer and Deepika dropped a joint post with the caption, Baby Dua and our hearts are getting bigger! Thank you for your blessings! (Evil eye and folded hands emojis) @deepikapadukone. Deepika and Ranveer announced that they are expecting their second child together in April this year. Sharing the exciting update on social media, the couple had dropped a joint post that had a picture of Dua holding a pregnancy test kit showing a positive result. Talking about their love saga, after keeping their admirers guessing about their relationship status for a long time, Deepika and Ranveer finally tied the knot in an intimate yet lavish ceremony at Lake Como, Italy, in November 2018. Deepika and Ranveer embraced parenthood and welcomed their first child together, daughter Dua, on September 8, 2024.

bhaskarlive 19 Sep 2026 7:14 pm

Golmaal 5 Officially Announced: Ajay Devgn and Akshay Kumar Starrer Locks Jan 2027 Release Date

The much-awaited laughter riot Golmaal 5 has officially locked its theatrical release date. Director Rohit Shetty took to social media to announce that the fifth instalment of Indias favourite comedy franchise will hit the big screens on January 8, 2027. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rohit Shetty (@itsrohitshetty) Ajay [] The post Golmaal 5 Officially Announced: Ajay Devgn and Akshay Kumar Starrer Locks Jan 2027 Release Date appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .

Pragativadi 19 Sep 2026 6:36 pm

Malayalam film Half makes history at TIFF; becomes first Malayalam film to be screened in the Midnight Madness section

Digital Desk | Chennai, Sep 19 (IANS) Director Samjad PS's upcoming film 'Half' has made history by becoming the first Malayalam film to be screened in the prestigious Midnight Madness section of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Sources present at the venue claimed the films screening was met with an electrifying response from the audience, with the energy inside the theatre continuing through the post-screening question and answer session. Produced by Anne Sajeev and P. K. Sajeev under the banner of Fragrant Nature Film Creations, 'Half' drew enthusiastic reactions from international audiences for its raw, distinctive and immersive cinematic experience. The packed theatre erupted in applause at several moments during the screening, with the films intense world and unconventional presentation leaving a strong impression on viewers. Director Samjad, producers Anne Sajeev and P. K. Sajeev, lead actors Ranjith Sajeev and Aiswarya Raj, music composer Mithun Mukundan and sound designer Vishnu Govind joined the session, engaging with the audience on the films theme, making, visual language, music, sound design and performances. The performances of Ranjith Sajeev and Aiswarya Raj were discussed during the Q&A session, with viewers posing questions to the actors about their characters in the film. The films action sequences also emerged as a major talking point among viewers, with the fight choreography by Very Tri Yulisman drawing particular attention. The films music and sound design were equally appreciated for contributing to its intense atmosphere and immersive viewing experience. For the unaware, the film boasts of a fine technical unit. Cameraman Pappinu has shot the film while editing for the film has been handled by Mahesh Bhuvanend. Sound design for the film is by Vishnu Govind. The films international journey has been strengthened by its global partnerships. Excel Entertainment and AA Films are presenting and distributing HALF across North India, while its International Sales Rights have been acquired by Best Friend Forever (BFF).

bhaskarlive 19 Sep 2026 3:15 pm