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'Marriage is not an essential requirement':Aishwarya Lekshmi

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'Marriage is not an essential requirement':Aishwarya Lekshmi


'Maaman' actress Aishwarya Lekshmi opens up on marriage, says 'its not an essential requirement for a fulfilling life'
Actress Aishwarya Lekshmi shared her evolving perspective on marriage, stating it’s not essential for a fulfilling life. After observing many relationships, she believes genuine happiness and personal growth are paramount. Lekshmi emphasized that while companionship is desired, a peaceful, content relationship is key, even outside legal marriage. Her views stem from witnessing a low number of truly happy couples.

Amid the recent obsession with celebrity weddings, actress Aishwarya Lekshmi is making headlines for her refreshing and independent outlook on life. During a recent promotional interaction for her family drama ‘Maaman,’ the Kerala-born star opened up about why she no longer views marriage as a milestone for fulfillment. Having witnessed numerous relationships over her 34 years, Aishwarya confessed that few seemed to offer the genuine growth and happiness she prioritizes.

Aishwarya Lekshmi’s marriage views

Speaking with Cinema Vikatan about marriage, Aishwarya Lekshmi shared that her views differ from the traditional mindset. She said that she does not feel the need to get married. According to her, a relationship should be built on understanding, trust, and respect between two people. However, she opines that legal marriage is not the only thing that fortifies a relationship. Besides, she added that many people can survive ideally without marriage, and everything is a matter of personal decision. The ‘Maaman’ actress also noted that she is not against marriage but considers it a voluntary involvement. In the interview, she noted that some individuals might feel safe or even famous in a marital distance; someone might envision a life without companionship. “In my 34 years of life, I have witnessed numerous marriages. However, the number of couples among them who are truly and genuinely happy is quite low. It seems to me that, for many, there is a lack of personal growth within their lives. Consequently, I have no interest in marriage. In my youth, I harbored many dreams about marriage; however, as time passed, my perspective shifted, and I arrived at the conclusion that marriage is not an essential requirement for a fulfilling life,” the actress stated.“I have absolutely no intention of getting married. It is true that one desires a life partner. However, a situation where both individuals within a marital life lack peace and contentment should never arise. Therefore, I believe it is better to be in a relationship without entering into marriage,” the actress further revealed,

Aishwarya Lekshmi’s successful cinema journey

Aishwarya Lekshmi became popular for her character ‘Poonguzhali’ in the movie series ‘Ponniyin Selvan.’ She has acted in movies like ‘Jagame Thandhiram,’ ‘Captain,’ and ‘Gatta Kusthi,’ which the audience loved. Her previous work was ‘Thug Life,’ and she starred in another hit movie, ‘Maaman’ with Soori.Disclaimer: The quotes mentioned in this article have been translated for ease of understanding and readability.


Hit for 1st-ball 6, Ravindra Jadeja mocks Yashasvi Jaiswal’s ‘no sleep’ claim – Watch | Cricket News

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Hit for 1st-ball 6, Ravindra Jadeja mocks Yashasvi Jaiswal’s ‘no sleep’ claim – Watch | Cricket News


Hit for 1st-ball 6, Ravindra Jadeja mocks Yashasvi Jaiswal's ‘no sleep’ claim - Watch
Ravindra Jadeja mocks Yashasvi Jaiswal in RR nets (Screengrabs)

NEW DELHI: Rajasthan Royals have begun preparations for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 on a lively note, with a light-hearted yet impressive moment from training going viral. 24-year-old opener Yashasvi Jaiswal grabbed the spotlight by smashing a huge six off Ravindra Jadeja on the very first ball he faced in practice. What made it even more surprising was that Jaiswal had earlier told the veteran spinner that he hadn’t slept well, making his powerful shot even more unexpected.

Watch

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During the session, Jaiswal looked completely at ease despite his lack of rest, confidently taking on Jadeja and sending the ball into the stands. The reaction from Jadeja added to the moment, as he couldn’t believe what he had just witnessed.“Abhi keh raha tha neend nahi hui raatko. Room mei practice karke aaya hai yeh (He was just saying he hadn’t slept well at night. But he’s come after practicing in the room),” said Jadeja.Watch:The clip quickly spread across social media, with fans praising Jaiswal’s fearless approach and natural attacking ability, which has already made him a key player for the franchise.

Royals eye strong comeback

Rajasthan Royals will be hoping such signs translate into performances on the field after a disappointing IPL 2025 season, where they finished near the bottom despite Jaiswal scoring 559 runs. The team has made several changes, including bringing in experienced all-rounder Jadeja, while also dealing with the absence of Sam Curran due to injury.There is also excitement around young talent Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who impressed last season with his aggressive batting, including a record-breaking century. With a mix of youth and experience, Rajasthan Royals will be aiming to turn things around in IPL 2026, and moments like Jaiswal’s in practice offer early optimism for fans.

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Jaane Anjaane Hum Mile: Bharat Ahlawwat lay on real ice slab for jail track

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Jaane Anjaane Hum Mile: Bharat Ahlawwat lay on real ice slab for jail track



Jaane Anjaane Hum Mile: Bharat Ahlawwat lay on real ice slab for jail track

Zee TV’s popular show Jaane Anjaane Hum Mile, starring Bharat Ahlawwat (Raghav) and Aayushi Khurrana (Reet) in lead roles, is all set to showcase some daunting sequences featuring Raghav.

Bharat Ahlawwat lay on an ice slab for the upcoming track

In the upcoming episodes, viewers will witness Raghav being imprisoned after being accused of Kriti’s murder. The upcoming scenes promise to be hard-hitting, as Raghav is subjected to intense torture, including a sequence where he is made to lie on an ice slab while the police try to force him into confessing to the crime.

Although the scenes have turned out visually compelling, shooting them was both mentally and physically exhausting for Bharat, who performed on a real ice slab, exposing his bare body to extreme cold.

The actor said, “It was a very different experience for me. I’ve never done something like this before. The jail torture scene was quite new and challenging. When I first read it, I was excited as an artist to get the opportunity to perform something so different. The scene wasn’t very long, but the intensity was high. The most difficult part was lying on ice. He explains, “There was only a very thin sheet, which kept shifting with movement, and since the scene involved struggling and reacting to torture, controlling the body while maintaining modesty was quite tough.”

Bharat Ahlawwat on how the sequence impacted his body

Sharing his experience of shooting the sequence, Bharat revealed that at one point, it felt like his mind had stopped working.

After the shoot, it had a real physical impact; my skin turned red, and at one point, it honestly felt like my mind had stopped working because of the extreme cold and discomfort. But that’s part of the process as an actor. Overall, it was challenging, but I also really enjoyed doing it. The shoot has turned out very well, and I hope the audience connects with and appreciates the scene.”

The show is currently keeping viewers hooked with its gripping storyline. As Raghav stands accused of Kriti’s murder, questions arise, Is Kriti (Gouri Agarwal) really dead? And if she is alive, who is the mastermind behind trapping Raghav, Kriti herself or Sharda Bua (Jayati Bhatia)?

Watch all the drama unfold in Jaane Anjaane Hum Mile every day at 10:30 PM, only on Zee TV!


I didn’t know Epstein was a predator

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I didn’t know Epstein was a predator


Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit has told the country’s national broadcaster that she wishes she had never met late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, breaking seven weeks of silence after the extent of her contact with him emerged.

Mette-Marit made the comments in a 20-minute interview in which she was often on the verge of tears.

Seven weeks ago, Norwegians discovered that the crown princess had exchanged hundreds of emails with the disgraced financier between 2011 and 2014, and stayed in his Florida house when he was not there.

Read more on this story.


Shashi Tharoor slams ban on The Voice of Hind Rajab in India

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Shashi Tharoor slams ban on The Voice of Hind Rajab in India



Shashi Tharoor slams ban on The Voice of Hind Rajab in India

The Oscar-nominated film The Voice of Hind Rajab has run into obstacles in India, with its release reportedly stalled due to concerns over diplomatic ties with Israel. The film, directed by Kaouther Ben Hania, has received international acclaim for its powerful portrayal of a tragic real-life incident during the Gaza conflict, but its journey in India has hit a roadblock.

All about the docu-drama

The docudrama recounts the harrowing story of five-year-old Hind Rajab, who was killed in January 2024 while attempting to flee violence in Gaza along with her family. The film reconstructs her final moments, including her desperate calls for help to emergency responders, using real audio recordings to bring authenticity and emotional depth to the narrative.

Despite its global recognition and Oscar nomination in the Best International Feature category, the film has not been cleared for theatrical release in India. Reports suggest that concerns were raised about the potential impact of the film on India-Israel relations, which have strengthened in recent years.

According to the film’s Indian distributor, the project was submitted to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) with plans for a March release, timed around the Academy Awards. However, approval has not been granted, effectively stalling its release. The distributor reportedly questioned the reasoning, arguing that a single film would not affect diplomatic ties, highlighting the controversy surrounding the decision.

Shashi Tharoor reacts

The situation has sparked debate among filmmakers, political figures, and audiences, with many raising concerns about censorship and artistic freedom. Critics argue that cinema should serve as a platform for storytelling and dialogue, especially when it addresses humanitarian crises and real-life tragedies. 

Shashi Tharoor also reacted to this, sharing, “That’s pretty disgraceful. In a democracy, screening a film is a reflection of our society’s freedom of expression and has nothing to do with government to government relations. This practice of banning films or books because of the offence they might cause to foreign countries must stop immediately. It’s unworthy of a mature democracy.”

Internationally, The Voice of Hind Rajab has been widely praised for its emotional storytelling and bold narrative approach. The film has also drawn attention for its use of real-life audio, which amplifies the impact of the story and brings audiences closer to the human cost of conflict.

The controversy in India highlights the complex intersection of art, politics, and diplomacy. While the film continues to receive recognition on the global stage, its uncertain fate in India underscores the challenges faced by politically sensitive content in reaching audiences.

As discussions continue, the stalled release has only amplified interest in the film, with many now eager to see the story that has sparked both critical acclaim and political debate.




Iran says it will boycott hosts USA but not the World Cup

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Iran says it will boycott hosts USA but not the World Cup



Iran says it will boycott hosts USA but not the World Cup

Iran will “boycott the United States” but “not the World Cup”, Iranian football federation president Mehdi Taj said in a video released by the Iranian press agency Fars. Iran is currently scheduled to play its group matches in the US in this year`s tournament.

“We will be preparing for the World Cup. We will boycott the United States but not the the World Cup,” Taj said in the video released on Wednesday. Iran`s football federation has opened talks with FIFA about potentially relocating its matches from the United States, though the global governing body has so far maintained that the tournament`s schedule remains unchanged. 

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Tuesday that her country is prepared to host Iran`s first-round matches if required, due to the conflict in the Middle East. Iran`s participation at this summer`s finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico has been in doubt since the war began last month, with President Donald Trump warning that the safety of Iranian players would be at risk if they travelled to the US.

 Asked directly if Mexico was open to hosting the matches, Sheinbaum told a press conference on Tuesday: “Yes.” “Mexico maintains diplomatic relations with every country in the world, therefore we will wait to see what FIFA decides,” she added. FIFA president Gianni Infantino initially said that Trump had given assurances that the Iranian team — scheduled to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, followed by Egypt in Seattle — would still be welcome. 

But the Republican president then triggered uproar last week after stating that Iran`s football team should not travel to the tournament “for their own life and safety”. Iran hit back at Trump`s comments saying that “no one can exclude Iran`s national team from the World Cup”. 

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever


India’s forex kitty falls $7 billion to $709.76 billion

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India’s forex kitty falls  billion to 9.76 billion


India’s forex kitty falls $7 billion to $709.76 billion

India’s foreign exchange reserves declined by $7.052 billion to $709.759 billion in the week ended March 13, according to data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday.In the preceding reporting week, the country’s overall reserves had dropped by $11.683 billion to $716.81 billion. The reserves had earlier touched an all-time high of $725.727 billion in the week ended February 13 this year.Foreign currency assets (FCAs), the largest component of the reserves, fell by $7.678 billion to $555.568 billion during the reporting week, the central bank’s data showed.Expressed in dollar terms, FCAs reflect the impact of appreciation or depreciation of non-US currencies such as the euro, pound and yen that are part of the reserve holdings.Gold reserves, however, moved in the opposite direction, rising by $664 million to $130.681 billion, the RBI said.The Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) were lower by $23 million at $18.697 billion, as per the apex bank’s data.India’s reserve position with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) also declined by $15 million to $4.814 billion during the week under review, the data showed.


Laxman Sivaramakrishnan accuses BCCI of racism, forcing commentary retirement

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Laxman Sivaramakrishnan accuses BCCI of racism, forcing commentary retirement


Former India leg-spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan has retired from BCCI commentary, alleging racism and lack of opportunities during his 23-year stint. The 60-year-old made the announcement through a series of posts on X.

Sivaramakrishnan said he was consistently overlooked for key on-air roles like toss and presentation despite being part of the setup for over two decades. Responding to a user on X who suggested race could be a factor, he agreed, writing, “You are right. Colour discrimination.”

“I am retiring from commentary for BCCI,” Sivaramakrishnan wrote.

He questioned why he was not given opportunities that were handed to newer commentators.

“If I have not been used for tosses and presentation for 23 years and newcomers come in what do you think could be the reason,” he said.

He also hinted at deeper issues within the broadcast system.

“How does a company owning BCCI rights go down? Any guesses,” he added.

Sivaramakrishnan further pointed out that even during periods when established names like Ravi Shastri were part of the team setup, he was not given such responsibilities, suggesting a long-standing pattern.

He added that his decision to step away was not just about retirement, but also about raising questions around how production and role allocation works.

“My retirement is nothing great. But a story of TV production unfolds. Soon you will see the bigger picture,” he wrote.

WHO IS LAXMAN SIVARAMAKRISHNAN?

Laxman Sivaramakrishnan was one of India’s promising leg-spinners in the early 1980s.

He played 9 Tests and 16 ODIs between 1983 and 1987, taking 26 wickets in Tests with three five-wicket hauls, and 15 wickets in ODIs.

He made his Test debut during the 1983 tour of the West Indies and gained early attention after picking up seven wickets for two runs in a domestic game as a youngster.

One of his standout performances came in 1984 against England, where he took 12 wickets in a match.

He was also part of India’s 1985 World Championship-winning team in Australia, finishing as the leading wicket-taker in the tournament.

After retiring from cricket, he moved into commentary and soon became a prominent voice for over two decades, known for his technical analysis, especially on spin bowling.

– Ends

Published By:

Debodinna Chakraborty

Published On:

Mar 20, 2026 18:02 IST


Samantha Ruth Prabhu coos ‘babu’ as she shows off Ugadi pachadi to sceptical Raj Nidimoru: ‘Nuvvu chesava?’

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Samantha Ruth Prabhu coos ‘babu’ as she shows off Ugadi pachadi to sceptical Raj Nidimoru: ‘Nuvvu chesava?’


As part of the promotions for her upcoming film Maa Inti Bangaram, Samantha Ruth Prabhu tried her hand at making Ugadi pachadi. Director Nandini Reddy and anchor Suma joined her in this endeavour. When she showed off her freshly made pachadi to her husband and producer Raj Nidimoru, he seemed sceptical that she had made it.

Samantha Ruth Prabhu showed off her Ugadi pachadi to Raj Nidimoru over video call.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu showed off her Ugadi pachadi to Raj Nidimoru over video call.

Samantha Ruth Prabhu coos ‘babu’ as she video calls Raj Nidimoru

Samantha’s production house, Tralala Moving Pictures, posted a video on YouTube as part of Maa Inti Bangaram’s promotions. The video begins with Samantha asking Nandini and Suma to help her make Ugadi pachadi. When the anchor asks the actor whether she decorated her home, she says yes, much as she made the pachadi, which was mostly made by Suma.

Later, when Samantha picks a video call, Nandini tells Suma it’s from their ‘other producer’ Raj. “Hi babu,” coos the actor, smiling widely as she shows off the pachadi to her husband. When she tells him she made it, he responds sceptically. “Ugadi pachadi aa? Nuvvu chesava? (Ugadi pachadi? Did you really make it?)” he asks as she seems to admit she didn’t, cracking Suma and Nandini up. He later says, “Nuvvu chesi pedte tintanu le (I will eat if you make it),” as Samantha beams and says, “Okay, I will do that.”

Ugadi pachadi is made from raw mango, jaggery, neem flowers, tamarind pulp, salt and green chilly or pepper on the Telugu new year to represent the emotions of life – sweet, sour, bitter, salty, spicy, and tangy.

About Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Raj Nidimoru

Samantha was previously married to Naga Chaitanya, and Raj was married to Shhyamali De. It is unknown when Raj and Shhyamali divorced after their 2015 wedding, but Samantha and Chaitanya divorced in 2021 after their 2017 wedding. Chaitanya is now married to Sobhita Dhulipala.

Samantha and Raj first worked together in Raj & DK’s Prime Video web series The Family Man Season 2 in 2021. They also worked together in the 2024 series Citadel: Honey Bunny. The couple dated for a while before getting married on December 1, 2025, at the Isha Foundation in Coimbatore. Their wedding was a traditional Bhuta Shuddhi Vivaha ceremony before the Linga Bhairavi, a yogic ceremony instead of a Vedic one.

Samantha will soon star in Nandini’s Maa Inti Bangaram, which she has also produced with Raj. It will be released in theatres on May 15. The couple is also working together on Netflix’s Rakt Brahmand: The Bloody Kingdom.


CCI Snooker Classic: Pankaj Advani loses to Gurbaxani

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CCI Snooker Classic: Pankaj Advani loses to Gurbaxani



CCI Snooker Classic: Pankaj Advani loses to Gurbaxani

Legendary cueist Pankaj Advani (PSPB) saw his reign come to an end as he suffered a defeat at the hands of Kreishh Gurbaxani in the CCI Snooker Classic here on Thursday.

Gurbaxani pulled off a brilliant 4-2 (74-34, 38-68, 16-78, 76-14, 119-0, and 78-21) win in the summit clash of the Rs 13.5 lakh tournament.

Gurbaxani, who competes on the World Snooker Tour, started with a run of 41 to win the opening frame. The balls did not roll favourably for Advani, who seemed to be out of sorts. But, he still managed to win the next two with decent breaks of 52 and 45 to grab the lead.

Thereafter, Gurbaxani who was cool and composed and with clever tactical play won the subsequent three frames on the trot to script a deserving victory. The icing on the cake was a superb break of 102 in the fifth frame before snatching the sixth to close out the win.

India No. 2 Aditya Mehta (PSPB) was in complete control as he charged past I.H. Manudev 4-1 (52-43, 101-8, 69-6, 46-82, 60-63) to progress to the quarterfinals.

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever