Iran’s military has released a video showing a message being placed on a missile ahead of launch. It’s the latest in a series of clips showing messages on missiles, a tactic analysts say reflects a wider effort to shape the narrative during the war.
Published On 26 Mar 2026
On the occasion of Ram Navami, the makers of the upcoming film Valmiki Ramayana unveiled a poster from the film. The film brings together celebrated technicians to tell the story of the mythical Ramayana. The film is being envisioned as a theatrical experience grounded in faith and simplicity, staying true to the spirit of the original text.
The visuals from the recently announced Valmiki Ramayana reflect devotion, purity, and reverence for one of India’s most sacred epics.
It is helmed by Bhavna Talwar, and brings together an accomplished team of creative stalwarts committed to presenting the epic with authenticity and emotional depth. Renowned production designer Sabu Cyril leads the visual world-building, while celebrated author Anand Neelakantan has written the screenplay, drawing directly from the original Valmiki Ramayana.
Adding further creative strength to the project, veteran cinematographer Binod Pradhan brings his signature visual storytelling, while Academy Award-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty helms the film’s soundscape. Filmmaker and scholar Chandraprakash Dwivedi joins the project as Creative Consultant and dialogue writer, lending his deep understanding of Indian history and mythology.
The film is being approached with a sense of restraint and reverence, focusing on the spiritual and emotional core of the epic rather than spectacle alone. The makers aim to present Valmiki Ramayana as a heartfelt cinematic experience that resonates with audiences across generations. The film is set to release in theatres on October 2.
`VALMIKI RAMAYANA` ANNOUNCED – 2 OCT 2026 RELEASE… On the auspicious occasion of #RamNavami, director #BhavnaDattaTalwar announces #ValmikiRamayana, a theatrical retelling of the timeless epic.
The film brings together an exceptional creative team:
⭐️ Cinematographer Binod… pic.twitter.com/giZTYeZxOT— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) March 26, 2026
The Valmiki Ramayana is one of the earliest Sanskrit epics and a foundational text of Indian literature. Composed around 500–100 BCE, it contains about 24,000 verses divided into seven books.
The narrative follows Lord Ram, prince of Ayodhya, his exile, the abduction of his wife Sita by Ravana, and her eventual rescue with the help of allies including Hanuman. The text addresses kingship, duty (dharma), family obligations, and ethical conduct.
It also provides early models of political authority and social order. The Valmiki Ramayana differs in tone and detail from later adaptations, serving as the primary source for subsequent regional and cultural retellings across South and Southeast Asia.
(with inputs from IANS)
NEW DELHI: Jindal Steel International is seeking clarity from German authorities, with the proposed deal to acquire Thyssenkrupp Steel facing delays over pension-related issues, persons aware of the matter said. The talks remain active and the deal has not been abandoned, though certain legal and operational matters are yet to be resolved. Pension liabilities remain key issues under discussion and further assurances from German stakeholders may be required before the transaction can move forward. “The deal is stuck, but it still has life…assurance is needed from the German establishment. They have to take a shot, may be it will take some more time to conclude, as the pension issue is stuck,” a person familiar with the matter said. Thyssenkrupp confirmed that negotiations with Jindal Steel International and employee representatives are continuing as part of the due diligence process. “We are continuing talks with Jindal Steel International and employee representatives regarding a possible sale of Thyssenkrupp Steel. The non-binding, indicative purchase offer from Jindal Steel International is being addressed directly between the parties in the ongoing due diligence process,” a Thyssenkrupp spokesperson told TOI.Jindal Steel submitted an indicative offer last Sept that included completing a green steel production facility in Duisburg .
A self-assured Shubman Gill told the press that he has nothing left to prove on the IPL front, as he gears up to lead Gujarat Titans in the 2026 season after a first playoff appearance as captain in the year prior.
Speaking to the media in a press conference alongside coach Ashish Nehra, Gill was asked about the expectations from him in particular, given his status as Indian Test captain and the in-and-out he has faced in the T20I setup in recent months.
Asked about whether he heads into the IPL 2026 season with a chip on his shoulder, Gill answered: “Not at all, sir. I think if you look at the past three or four seasons, I have the most runs in the IPL. I don’t have anything to prove, in this season particularly.”
Gill had a sensational 2025 as part of the top order trio for GT alongside Sai Sudharsan, who won the Orange Cap, and Jos Buttler. This top three was the core for an otherwise underbaked batting unit, all scoring piles of runs; Gill contributed 650 in 15 innings, at a healthy strike-rate of 155.
This season followed a 2023 Orange Cap-winning performance from Gill, a historic season in which he plundered 890 runs enroute to the final. In fact, since moving to GT in 2022, Gill does top the IPL scorers list, narrowly ahead of Virat Kohli: in four seasons, he has scored 2449 runs, at a strike-rate a notch below 150 and with four centuries to his name.
In those four years, GT have reached the playoffs thrice, the finals twice, and won the trophy once – consistency in performances that Gill pointed out as an indication of the team’s strength, and his role within it.
“The four years I have played here, we have done decently well as a team, I think I’ve done decently well as a batsman. I don’t think I need to prove to anyone my worth,” said Gill bullishly.
“I need to do what I have been doing for the past four years and as a team we need to be consistent, which I think we have been. If we continue doing that sooner or later we will win that trophy once more,” promised the GT captain.
GT will be in the conversation again in 2026 thanks to a terrific bowling group, especially if Rashid Khan will come into his regular form. Jos Buttler has looked off-colour and a lot will depend on him – but the question Indian fans will be asking Gill is whether even his level of excellence has been good enough, or if he should push himself to do more after being removed from the scheme of things in T20Is.
There is a scene in Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar: The Revenge that has caught everyone’s attention. A fresh-faced and hopeful Jaskirat Singh Rangi (Ranveer Singh) dresses smartly to pose for a picture with his parents and two sisters. This is before he turns into the long-haired, dark, brooding Hamza Ali Mazari we’re introduced to in the film’s first part. His on-screen sister, Hitika Bali, wrote about shooting with the actor. (Also Read: Did Ranveer Singh smoke while wearing pagdi in Dhurandhar The Revenge? Aditya Dhar clarifies as new controversy erupts)
Hitika plays Harleen Rangi, one of Jaskirat’s sisters, in Dhurandhar 2. The film begins with some heartbreaking moments that explain why Ranveer’s character chooses violence to protect his family. “Since everybody is posting ‘Why Jaskirat Became Hamza?’ Phir mera bhi post krna banta hai (I decided I should post too),” wrote Hitika, posting pictures of her and Ranveer that many have shared on social media.
Praising Ranveer, she added that while he was ‘amazing’ as Hamza, her favourite was Harleen and Jasleen’s brother Jaskirat. She added, “I genuinely can’t get over the little details and mannerisms you brought to the role and in this shot while u were constantly make me laugh with that tie-samosa joke.”
She then thanked the audience for showing empathy towards the fate of her character, Harleen, writing, “Also, the amount of love and empathy you all have shown towards my character Harleen Rangi and the story is honestly overwhelming in the best way possible. And the kind of support I’m receiving is just crazy.”
Hitika ended the note on a lighter note, referring to a picture she shared from X (formerly Twitter) that shows someone using Grok to switch her and Ranveer’s outfits. “I’m loving all the comments, messages, and posts you’ve been sharing. But I have to say the third slide that a friend sent me? I was like WTH, lol but it’s been living rent free in my mind ever since,” she wrote. The picture the actor included shows that her friend sent it to her on WhatsApp.
Dhurandhar 2 is a sequel to the 2025 hit Dhurandhar, which was released last December. The film showed how Hamza infiltrates a Baloch gang in Lyrari, Pakistan, to bring down a terror outfit. The sequel delves into the backstory of how Jaskirat turns into Hamza due to his circumstances. Ranveer, Sara Arjun, Arjun Rampal, R Madhavan, Rakesh Bedi, Danish Pandor, and others reprised their roles in the film.
NEW DELHI: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has decided that transgender women will no longer be allowed to compete in women’s events at the Olympics, starting from the 2028 Los Angeles Games. The move brings in a stricter eligibility rule, stating that only biological females can take part, with a one-time mandatory gene test to confirm this.The IOC said the change is meant to ensure fair competition. “Eligibility for any female category event at the Olympic Games or any other IOC event… is now limited to biological females,” the body stated. The policy, which is not retroactive and won’t affect grassroots sports, aims to “protect fairness, safety and integrity in the female category”.IOC president Kirsty Coventry backed the decision, saying, “At the Olympic Games, even the smallest margins can be the difference between victory and defeat… it would not be fair for biological males to compete in the female category.”The IOC also pointed to research suggesting that being born male can give lasting physical advantages, especially in strength, endurance and power-based sports. A gene test checking for the SRY gene has been described as “the most accurate and least intrusive method currently available”.The new rules will also affect some athletes with differences in sex development (DSD), such as runner Caster Semenya. The IOC wants a clear, unified policy instead of leaving decisions to individual sports bodies, many of which had already imposed similar restrictions.The decision comes amid growing global debate and follows a US executive order pushing for stricter rules in women’s sports. While the IOC says the policy ensures fairness, it is expected to face criticism from human rights groups and activists.
Actor Ram Charan recently sustained an injury while shooting an action sequence for Buchi Babu Sana’s sports drama Peddi. The actor had to undergo minor surgery before returning to the set on Thursday. He even met concerned fans while sporting a bandage above his eye ahead of his birthday. (Also Read: Niharika Konidela looks visibly shaken as reporter informs her of cousin Ram Charan’s injury: ‘Is this how you tell?’)
Ram’s team shared a video with the press of the actor, dressed in his trademark Ayyappa mala (black attire and Rudraksha beads for Lord Ayyappa), with his hair up in a bun. The actor sported a bandage above his eye but looked unbothered by it. As fans cheered for him, he clicked a selfie video with them. The actor’s security could be seen holding back the fans who were trying to get closer to him.
Fans also posted videos of their meeting with Ram. “Dream completed,” wrote one fan on X (formerly Twitter), revealing how a tent was set up on the sets of Peddi for them. The video shows the actor getting out of a car and lifting his lungi as fans waiting in the tent cheer. He can be seen heading inside to greet the numerous fans who lined up to wish him a happy birthday. For the unversed, Ram will turn 41 on March 27.
A source from Ram’s team confirmed to Hindustan Times on Wednesday that he sustained an injury while shooting an action sequence for Peddi and had to get four sutures. He did not take a break despite the injury. The source also confirmed that the actor’s eye wasn’t injured amid rumours of something far more serious.
His cousin, Niharika Konidela, also looked visibly shaken when she was told at a press conference in Tirupati by a reporter that Ram met with an ‘accident’ on the set of Peddi. “Sir, itla shocking ga cheptara sir? Nenu flight nunchi parigettukuntu, I didn’t even…(Sir, is this how you tell me? I ran here from the flight and didn’t even…)” she said in the moment, revealing that she had not checked her phone.
Later in the day, team Peddi confirmed that Ram did sustain an injury, calling it a ‘minor injury to the left eye’ in a press note. Chiranjeevi confirmed on Thursday that the actor had to undergo a procedure for it and thanked his doctor. “Dr Sudhakar Prasad garu, Your timely and skilful surgery on Charan’s eyelid has truly been a blessing. What was a moment of concern for us was eased entirely by your precision, care, and expertise. Your craftsmanship made all the difference, and we are truly grateful. Thank you,” he wrote.
Filmmaker Aditya Dhar’s fearless approach to storytelling is earning praise from his former mentor Priyadarshan, especially as Dhurandhar 2 continues its record-breaking run. Speaking about Dhar’s conviction, Priyadarshan highlighted how the director has managed to challenge conventional industry formulas.“Some people have guts. I’ve seen both kinds of people. One is Sandeep Reddy Vanga, who made Animal, and another is Aditya Dhar. I asked them, ‘What gives you the confidence to work on a four-hour film?’ They said, ‘It will work, sir.’ It’s against all the theory of a hit film. No producer will ever allow you to make a four-hour film, but the conviction of the director is the ultimate thing,” he told India Today.
Reflecting on Dhar’s journey from assistant to director, Priyadarshan was candid about how the filmmaker evolved during his early years working on films like Aakrosh and Tezz.“I never taught Aditya anything, but he learned. That is the only way we can make films. I never went to any school, I just watched films and learned from masters. In the same way, Aditya… I don’t know if I taught him anything, but by being with me, he learned by himself,” he shared.In a rare moment of humility, Priyadarshan added, “He did things better than me, and that’s how Dhurandhar happened.”
Despite backing new-age filmmakers, Priyadarshan admitted that the anxiety around film releases hasn’t changed for him over the years.“Every time a film releases, I have tension for two days because the first two days are your test, whether you are right or wrong. Even after 40 or 50 years, I have the same tension for every release. I just want to know how people will accept it,” he said, referring to his upcoming film Bhooth Bangla, which is slated to release on April 10. Meanwhile, Dhurandhar 2 is continuing its impressive box office run. The film stars Ranveer Singh, R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun, Sanjay Dutt and Rakesh Bedi in key roles, and is currently enjoying a dream run in theatres.
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled in Noelia Castillo’s favour earlier this week.
The IPL 2026 is all set to kick off from March 28. So far, the schedule of only first 20 matches has been released due to state elections.
Ahead of the league, Prithvi Shaw will make his appearance for Delhi Capitals (DC). Speaking ahead of the tournament, the right-handed batsman said that he is working hard to make a comeback in the national setup.
“That is why I am playing. There`s no doubt that I have to come back to the Indian team. That`s exactly why I`m playing and why I`m working so hard. The amount of effort I used to put in, I put in three times more today. I feel I`m giving not just 100 per cent, but 200 per cent to make that comeback,” he said.
Further speaking about the struggles, the cricketer said that he faced them with respect and a smile. He also stated that a player realises his mistakes as he keeps growing older.
“If I`m not feeling good, then I won`t be practising. You don`t get anything by practising at 50 per cent. If you`re on the ground, you give your 100 per cent, or you don`t come to the ground at all. Whatever ups and downs happened, I faced them with respect and a smile. As you grow up, you realise your own mistakes. You don`t need seniors or mentors to tell you what you already know. It`s better if you understand those things yourself beforehand and then move forward,” said Shaw.
DC will begin their IPL 2026 campaign by playing a clash against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on April 1 at the Ekana Cricket Stadium B Ground in Lucknow.
Lucknow Super Giants: Mitchell Marsh, Mohammed Shami, Shahbaz Ahmed, Anrich Nortje, Nicholas Pooran (WK), Aiden Markram, Avesh Khan, Wanindu Hasaranga, Himmar Singh, Matthew Breetzke, Rishabh Pant (C) (WK), Josh Inglis (WK), M Siddharth, Moshin Khan, Ayush Badoni, Arjun Tendulkar, Akash Singh, Abdul Samad, Arshin Kulkarni, Naman Tiwari, Akshat Raghuvanshi, Mayank Yadav, M Choudhary (WK), Prince Yadav, Digvesh Rathi.
Delhi Capitals: David Miller, Mitchell Starc, Dushmantha Chameera, KL Rahul (WK), Karun Nair, Axar Patel (C), Ben Duckett (WK), Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Rana, Kyle Jamieson, Lungi Ngidi, T. Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar, Pathum Nissanka, Ajay Mandal, Prithvi Shaw, Ashutosh Sharma, Auqib Nabi, Sameer Rizvi, Tristan Stubbs, Abhishek Porel (WK), Vipraj Nigam, Tripurana Vijay, Sahil Parakh, Madhav Tiwari.
(With ANI Inputs)
