The former counter-terrorism head resigned on Tuesday over the war with Iran, saying the country posed “no imminent threat” to the US.
Former counter-terrorism head investigated by FBI over alleged leaks
Barcelona demolish Newcastle 7-2 to reach Champions League quarters
Barcelona stormed to a 7-2 victory over Newcastle on Wednesday to reach the Champions League quarter-finals, winning 8-3 on aggregate. Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha struck twice each for the Catalan giants as Eddie Howe`s side crumbled under a scintillating attacking display from the hosts at Camp Nou. Lamine Yamal, Marc Bernal and Fermin Lopez were also on target as Hansi Flick`s side ran riot and recorded a landslide last 16, second leg victory. The five-time champions are dreaming of lifting the trophy again, 11 years after they last won it, and showcased the attacking firepower which could make their ambition a reality. By contrast Newcastle were hoping to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in their history but the Premier League side departed bruised and battered.
“With the fans supporting us like that for 90 minutes it`s hard to beat us at home,” Raphinha told Movistar. Barca led 3-2 at the break after a thrilling first half but after Lopez netted early in the second they romped to victory. “The confidence that we got in the second half was good to see,” said Flick. After Joan Laporta was reelected president at the weekend, spirits were high around the club and they came out flying. They were outplayed in the 1-1 first-leg draw but pledged to improve back on home soil and claimed an early lead through Raphinha. Teenage star Lamine Yamal turned brilliantly away from Malick Thiaw in midfield, leaving the German defender on the turf and released the Brazilian winger to score. Barcelona are notoriously fragile defensively though and Newcastle quickly forced their way back into the game. The Catalan giants were carved open with just a couple of passes between Lewis Hall and Harvey Barnes, and Anthony Elanga timed his run right to stay onside and sweep past Joan Garcia.
Three minutes later Barca were back in front with 18-year-old midfielder Bernal turning home from close range after Gerard Martin nodded down Raphinha`s diagonal free-kick. Yamal was so often Barca`s hero on their run to the semi-finals last season but was guilty of a mistake which led to Newcastle`s second equaliser. The teenager attempted a backheel in his own final third and gave the ball away, with Elanga profiting at the back post as he turned home Barnes`s cross. Veteran Polish striker Lewandowski has had a tough season for Barca, looking shorn of confidence, and he spurned two fine chances for the hosts in the first half, with Yamal also blazing over from close range. The Spain international made amends from the spot to give Barca the lead at half-time when veteran defender Trippier pulled back Raphinha. Ramsdale got his fingertips to Yamal`s penalty, low to his left, but could not claw it out.
Procession
Raphinha sent Lopez through on goal to bag the fourth early in the second half and it broke Toon spirits. From that point on Newcastle gave up the ghost and Barcelona scored to their heart`s content. “Scoring the fourth goal quickly after coming out (for the second half) — that helped us be calm in the game,” added Raphinha. Lewandowski nodded home from a corner and celebrated joyously, taking off the mask he has been playing with due to an eye-socket fracture. The goal was liberation for him and the next chance he got he put away too, producing a lethal finish after a superb Yamal assist. “He`s very experienced player and in these matches he`s unbelievable, one of the best strikers in the box,” said Flick.
“I`m happy for him that he scored two goals today.” Jacob Ramsey put Barcelona`s seventh on a plate for the swaggering hosts, with a poor pass which Raphinha intercepted and dispatched clinically. Fans sent a Mexican wave around the stadium, celebrating the biggest win they have had at Camp Nou since it reopened. “Our performance dropped (in the second half) that was quite clear,” said Howe. “The two set plays (conceded), those are unforgiveable because you know how good they are in the other aspects of their play.” Howe said his players were affected “psychologically” by conceding a penalty just before half-time and then by Fermin`s goal early after the break. “When the game was effectively over we didn`t react well to that either, so it became a very difficult second half,” he added.
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Hollywood embraces AI as actor Val Kilmer returns digitally after death
A year after the passing of actor Val Kilmer, a digitally recreated version of him is set to appear in an independent film. Production company First Line Films announced that Kilmer will feature posthumously in the movie As Deep as the Grave. According to the producers, Kilmer had originally agreed to act in the project but was unable to do so because of his declining health.
Val Kilmer`s daughter approves AI-version of her father
Kilmer`s estate granted approval for the creation of a digital likeness and is being compensated for its use. Kilmer’s daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, shared that the role felt meaningful to her father. She noted that he embraced new technologies and viewed them as tools that could expand storytelling possibilities, adding that the film honors that forward-looking spirit and his deep connection to the project.
Kilmer passed away last April at 65 due to pneumonia. Years earlier, in 2014, he had been diagnosed with throat cancer and underwent two tracheotomies. After losing his natural speaking voice, he collaborated with an AI company to recreate it digitally. His final on-screen appearance was in Top Gun: Maverick (2022), where his voice was technologically modified.
AI use in cinema
Artificial intelligence has become one of Hollywood’s most debated developments in recent years. Some companies have increasingly explored AI-generated performers. For instance, Xicoia introduced a fully AI-created persona named Tilly Norwood last year and recently released a music video featuring the digital character.
Filmmaker Coerte Voorhees and producer John Voorhees said they complied with SAG regulations. They emphasized that the production aims to demonstrate an ethical model for using AI, particularly when working with a deceased actor’s estate and family.
The film, previously titled Canyon of the Dead, was shot years ago but remained in postproduction. Inspired by real events, it tells the story of archaeologists Ann and Earl Morris, whose excavations in Arizona revealed important Native American history.
In the film, Kilmer’s AI recreation portrays Father Fintan, a Catholic priest with Native American spiritual ties. The ensemble cast also includes Abigail Lawrie, Tom Felton, Wes Studi, and Abigail Breslin.
Voorhees explained that Kilmer—who identified as part Native American—felt a strong cultural and spiritual connection to the project when he joined it five years ago. Producers are now seeking distribution and hope to release the film this year. He added that while Kilmer’s health prevented him from performing the role in person, the team is honored to work with Mercedes Kilmer, whose filmmaking experience has helped bring the character to life as originally envisioned.
Three weeks, three challenges: Inside India’s battles as Middle East explodes | India News
The last day of February was meant to be routine — travel plans, a turn of the calendar, the quiet anticipation of a new month. Instead, a long-simmering conflict boiled over as the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran under what has been referred to as Operation Epic Fury.The escalation took a dramatic turn with the reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a development that marked a decisive and unprecedented shift in the conflict’s trajectory. What began as a targeted military action quickly spiralled into a wider regional confrontation. Iran retaliated, not with direct strikes on US or Israeli territory alone, but by targeting their military assets across the Middle East, widening the theatre of tension.Within days, the conflict’s ripple effects were global. Energy markets felt the strain as supply chains were hit, shipping routes became dangerous, and diplomatic lines became complicated. Countries far from the battlefield found themselves pulled into its orbit; not as mere participants, but as stakeholders in an increasingly volatile and fragile world order.For India, like many other countries, the stakes were immediate and multi-layered, requiring the government’s involvement in ensuring the safety of its citizens across the Middle East, managing the risks of energy supply uncertainties, and carefully calibrating its diplomatic stance between competing global powers.Three weeks into the crisis, as the situation continues to evolve, let’s dive deep into how India is managing the chaos, a complex web of balancing security, economics, and diplomacy in the midst of a rapidly shifting geopolitical situation.
Bringing lakhs of Indians back
The first signs of strain came from the ground. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confirmed that five Indian nationals have been killed and one remains missing in the conflict zone. Over 2.2 lakh Indian nationals have returned to India since February 28, as the Gulf crisis escalated, marking the first major sign of the direct impact on Indian citizens.
In its latest briefings, the MEA said Indian missions in Iran, Israel and across West Asia are operating “round the clock”, maintaining contact with nationals and coordinating with local authorities. Dedicated control rooms have been set up in New Delhi as well as in embassies in the region to respond to distress calls.
“We have five Indians who have lost their lives and one who is missing in an earlier incident. Our missions in Oman, Iraq, UAE remain in touch with the concerned authorities regarding the missing Indian national and for early repatriation of mortal remains of the deceased after completing requisite formalities,”
Additional secretary (Gulf) Aseem Mahajan (during a public briefing)
So far, the government has not announced a full-scale evacuation operation, but has facilitated case-by-case movement of Indian nationals through available commercial routes. Officials have indicated that airspace restrictions and security conditions have limited large-scale evacuation planning at this stage.The Ministry of Civil Aviation has also been monitoring the situation, with airlines adjusting schedules and routes in response to airspace closures over parts of West Asia. While no dedicated evacuation flights have been formally declared, authorities have said they are prepared to scale up operations if required.According to a senior Indian government official, around 2,20,000 Indian nationals have returned to the country so far, travelling on 45 flights expected to land on Monday from major Gulf transit hubs including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar. These flights are being coordinated with host governments and civil aviation authorities as airspace disruptions and closures continue to affect schedules.The earliest returns originated from Iran, where evacuations were complicated by border closures and limited air corridors. MEA Joint Secretary (Gulf) Aseem Mahajan told reporters that 550 Indian nationals have crossed into Armenia via land routes from Iran, and have since flown to India. Additionally, 90 Indians crossed into Azerbaijan from Iran just this week, with diplomatic and logistical assistance provided by the Indian embassy in Tehran.According to the govt officials, 284 people were in Iran on pilgrimage, part of the broader group now moving toward repatriation. “Our embassy in Tehran, in spite of difficulties, continues to be fully functional,” said the additional secretary (Gulf) Mahajan , adding that staff had relocated students from Tehran to safer cities before facilitating their onward travel.Students have been among the most visible returnees. On Sunday, nearly 70 Indian students, primarily from Jammu and Kashmir studying medicine in Iran, landed at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport after a multi‑stage journey that took them from Iran to Armenia, then Dubai and finally to New Delhi. Many paid for their own return tickets after booking one‑way flights home; fares reportedly climbed sharply under emergency demand, with one student saying a ticket that normally costs around Rs 25,000 was priced near Rs 55,000 in the crisis.For many returnees, the ordeal did not end at arrival. Students spoke of “anxiety and uncertainty” in Iran, disruptions to academic schedules and examinations, and communication challenges due to intermittent internet access. Some classmates still in Iran were relocated to Qom, which officials say is comparatively calmer.Meanwhile, the repatriation process continues in the Gulf. The MEA briefing reiterated that Kuwait’s airspace remains closed, though plans are underway for special non‑scheduled flights. Transits from Bahrain and Iraq are being facilitated via Saudi Arabia, as authorities seek to continue safe movement despite evolving security conditions.On the ground, evacuation has so far been selective and incident-driven. In one such case, 15 Indian crew members were moved to safety after a vessel was hit near Iraq, with the MEA confirming coordination with regional authorities to secure their exit.
Officials have stressed that any broader evacuation will depend on “feasibility and evolving security conditions”, particularly access to safe corridors. With an estimated 8–9 million Indians living across the Gulf region, the government’s current approach remains cautious, focused on assistance, monitoring, and preparedness rather than immediate mass evacuation.
The energy & oil crisis
India’s energy supply chains have been under intense pressure in the three weeks since conflict escalated in the Middle East, with the narrow Strait of Hormuz emerging as a focal point of risk for crude and gas shipments. The strait, just about 33 kilometres wide at its narrowest point, is the conduit for roughly 20 per cent of the world’s seaborne oil trade. For India, it is particularly vital: the country imports over 50 per cent of its crude oil and a significant portion of its LPG through this route, primarily from Gulf nations such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Any disruption in transit through Hormuz can therefore directly impact domestic fuel supply, industrial production, and cooking gas availability for millions of households.
Despite sustained geopolitical tension, Indian energy imports have continued to make it home, albeit in a strained context. The Indian crude oil tanker “Jag Laadki” arrived at Mundra Port in Gujarat on Wednesday, by literally sailing the conflict. This vessel was loading at UAE’s Fujairah port which came under attack. The ship, while unharmed and its crew safe, crossed the region the next day. This marked the third vessel in recent days to successfully transit the Strait of Hormuz and deliver crude to Indian shores despite the conflict environment. Officials said the tanker navigated the sensitive waters safely.Earlier, two Indian‑flagged LPG carriers. Shivalik and Nanda Devi, also cleared the strait with nearly 92,700 tonnes of LPG between them and reached Gujarat facilities, providing a measure of relief to the domestic cooking gas market that heavily relies on imports from West Asia.
In the broader region, however, the picture remains challenging. According to the Ministry of Shipping’s own data cited in reporting today, around three lakh tonnes of LPG across six Indian‑flagged ships remain stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, with their arrival delayed amid security and transit bottlenecks.New Delhi’s diplomatic efforts to secure movement are ongoing, but the government has been careful to clarify that there is no blanket arrangement with Tehran guaranteeing automatic passage for Indian vessels; each transit requires case‑by‑case permissions and clearance, according to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.The Indian government is also monitoring hundreds of Indian seafarers and ships still in the region and has boosted maritime security oversight through the Directorate General of Shipping, which has issued enhanced advisories and 24×7 monitoring protocols for vessels in the Gulf amid missile, drone and other threat reports.At the same time, disruptions have not just been physical but economic. Indian refiners and importers are contending with surging freight and insurance costs, as global risk premiums spike with the wider disruption around Hormuz and the Gulf. When the Middle East conflict began following US-Israel strikes on Iran, 28 Indian-flagged vessels were in the strait: 24 on the west side and four on the east. Over the past week, two vessels from each side have safely reached open waters, leaving three ships on the east side after one more Indian-flagged ship joined them.and 22 on the west.“All 611 seafarers on 22 vessels (on the west side of the Strait) are safe,” he told a news briefing.
Additionally, Industry sources say many shipping firms are reluctant to quote rates for large tankers amid uncertainties, adding a cost dimension to the logistical strain.In this volatile environment, India’s strategy has been to keep key supplies moving while managing risk, rather than attempt an abrupt rerouting away from the Strait of Hormuz. The outcome so far is mixed: key cargos are arriving, several remain delayed, and the broader supply chain is under heightened geopolitical pressure. There are no signs yet that flows have collapsed entirely, but their continuity is far from assured.
Walking the diplomatic tightrope
As the conflict in the Middle East raged into its third week, India’s diplomatic posture has been shaped by a careful effort to balance competing interests in an increasingly divided geopolitical landscape.In its official briefings, the Ministry of External Affairs has repeatedly emphasised India’s core priorities: calls for de‑escalation, restraint and a return to dialogue while urging that civilian lives be protected. New Delhi has avoided taking explicit sides, sticking to messaging that reflects India’s broader foreign policy of pursuing its national interests through engagement rather than confrontation.
At the same time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been actively engaging world leaders to reinforce this posture. In recent days, he spoke by phone with the President of the United Arab Emirates to strongly condemn attacks on UAE territory, stressing India’s solidarity with the Gulf state amid ongoing hostilities.India has also maintained communication channels with Tehran. PM Modi spoke to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, expressing deep concern over escalations and urging immediate de‑escalation and dialogue, while thanking Iran for its cooperation in the safe return of Indian nationals earlier in the crisis.These engagements reflect India’s broader multi‑alignment strategy, where ties with the United States, Israel, Iran and Gulf partners are calibrated to protect energy imports, expatriate welfare and strategic interests — all without overtly siding with any hostile bloc. The diplomatic challenge has extended into India’s role as chair of the BRICS grouping in 2026. With the bloc including countries with divergent positions on the Middle East conflict, attempts to issue a unified BRICS statement on the crisis have so far been unsuccessful, posing an early stress test for India’s leadership of the grouping. Tehran, in particular, has signalled expectations that New Delhi use its BRICS presidency to condemn the US‑Israel strikes on Iran — demands that India has been hesitant to endorse in explicit terms given its multi‑directional diplomacy.Even as the government maintains its calibrated stance, voices from the political opposition have called for a more assertive diplomatic role. In a latest Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, joined opposition’s call on March 18, urging New Delhi to take a “proactive lead” in demanding a ceasefire and pushing for peace.The Middle East conflict highlights the core tension of India’s foreign policy today, as the country navigates advocating for peace and multilateral engagement while simultaneously protecting its strategic, economic, and diaspora interests in a rapidly shifting regional landscape.”
A three-front crisis, still unfolding
Three weeks into the conflict, India is not dealing with a single crisis but a layered one. There are confirmed casualties among its citizens, partial but fragile continuity in energy flows, and a diplomatic environment that is becoming more polarised.Each strand is being managed, but none is fully under control. And as long as the situation around Hormuz remains unstable, all three challenges – evacuations, energy security and diplomacy— will continue to move together, shaping India’s response in real time.
India Energy Data National Security: Gulf crisis: Government classifies energy data as national security matter; seeks real-time updates across oil, gas sector
The Centre has classified key energy data as a matter of national security and directed all entities across India’s oil and gas value chain to submit detailed operational information, as the government moves to tighten oversight of supplies disrupted by the ongoing Middle East war.The oil ministry has issued the Petroleum and Natural Gas (Furnishing of Information) Order, 2026, requiring refiners, LNG importers, pipeline operators, city gas distributors and petrochemical firms across both public and private sectors to regularly report granular data to the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC), in some cases on a daily basis.
New order seeks real-time view of India’s energy supply chain
The March 18 gazette notification mandates disclosure of data such as production, imports, stock levels and consumption patterns.The order is aimed at creating a centralised, real-time information system that would allow the government to respond faster to supply disruptions, prioritise critical sectors such as power, fertilisers and household LPG, and make better procurement decisions during crises.Officials cited by news agency PTI said that the initiative is designed to improve India’s ability to monitor supply chains, manage inventories and reduce vulnerability to geopolitical shocks.
Move comes amid war-driven supply stress
The order comes against the backdrop of heightened energy security concerns after the war in the Middle East disrupted gas and LPG supplies.India imports around 88 per cent of its crude oil, 50 per cent of its natural gas and 60 per cent of its LPG.Before the conflict, more than half of India’s crude oil imports came from Saudi Arabia, Iraq and the UAE via the Strait of Hormuz. 85-95 per cent of LPG imports and about 30 per cent of gas supplies also moved through the strait.With the Strait effectively shut due to the war, India’s energy flows have been hit.While crude oil disruptions have been partly cushioned through alternate sourcing from Russia, West Africa, the US and Latin America, gas and LPG supplies to industrial and commercial users have been curtailed because of shortfalls from Gulf suppliers.
Who must report and what data must be shared
The order has a wide scope and applies across the petroleum and natural gas ecosystem.According to PTI, it covers crude oil producers and importers, oil refining companies, oil marketing firms, storage and terminal operators, natural gas producers, LNG importers and terminal operators, gas pipeline operators, gas marketers, city gas distribution entities, petrochemical plants using gas or petroleum products as feedstock, and any public or private entity forming part of the oil and gas supply chain.The notification states, “Every entity engaged in the production, processing, refining, storage, transportation, import, export, marketing, distribution or consumption of petroleum products or natural gas… shall furnish to PPAC, information relating to production, imports, exports, stocks, storage, allocation, transportation, supply, consumption and utilisation of petroleum products or natural gas, aggregated or disaggregated by geography, time or consumers as may be specified”. The government has also left the reporting format flexible.“The information shall be furnished in such form, manner, electronic platform and periodicity as may be specified by the Central government or by PPAC and may include daily, weekly, monthly or other periodic returns,” the order said.
Confidentiality clauses will not apply
One of the most significant parts of the order is that it overrides confidentiality protections.The notification makes it clear that companies cannot refuse to share information by citing commercial sensitivity or proprietary concerns.“The obligation to furnish information under this order shall apply notwithstanding anything contained in any contract, agreement, commercial arrangement or confidentiality obligation and no entity shall refuse to furnish information required under this notification on the ground that such information is commercially sensitive or proprietary,” the order said.
Legal backing under Essential Commodities Act
The ministry has invoked powers under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 to issue the order.The law allows the central government to require any person producing, importing, exporting, stocking or dealing in an essential commodity to provide information on production, supply, distribution, stocks or utilisation.The government said it considers the new system necessary in the public interest to build a centralised institutional mechanism for the systematic collection, compilation and analysis of petroleum and natural gas data for effective monitoring of the supply chain.
Tighter compliance burden for industry
Industry players will now have to upgrade their internal data systems and reporting processes to comply with the tighter framework.The order signals a broader shift in how the government is approaching energy security. Beyond securing alternate supplies, the Centre is now placing equal emphasis on real-time visibility across the chain, from imports and storage to allocation and final consumption, as it prepares for prolonged volatility in global energy markets.
Emotional Raj Arjun recalls how daughter Sara Arjun took care of him like a Dhurandhar: ‘Ab voh mujhe sambhal rahi hai’
Actor Sara Arjun, daughter of actor Raj Arjun, is currently garnering praise for her performance in Dhurandhar: The Revenge. Speaking about fatherhood and his bond with Sara at Spoken Fest in Mumbai, Raj delivered an emotional speech, sharing how her birth changed his life and how deeply proud he feels of her.
Raj Arjun talks about how Sara Arjun changed his life
Raj Arjun spoke about arriving in Mumbai with dreams of becoming an actor, but said that repeated rejections shook his confidence. However, he revealed that his daughter’s birth in 2005 changed everything. He shared that he had often heard that daughters are a blessing and has now experienced it himself. Raj recalled that soon after Sara was born, he landed his first lead role. Although the film got stuck, his determination remained strong. He added that if Sara hadn’t come into his life, he wouldn’t have become the person, or the artist, he is today.
He went on to describe how, year after year, his films got stalled, and he struggled to find a way forward as his daughter grew up. He said, “Main tut nahi sakta tha, main bhaag bhi nahi sakta. Isliye main thehr gaya. Lekin us therav main bhi darr tha kyunki jebein halki thi aur aaina bhi kum poochne laga tha kyunki usse bhi ab samajh aagya tha kis isse ab kya hi poochen yaar. Fir bhi uski chamakti hui aankhen mujhe roz kehti thi, khade rehna papa, mujhe abhi aapki zarurat hai. Voh mujhe sambhal rahi thi Dhurandhar ban kar (I couldn’t break, and I couldn’t run away. So I stayed. But even in that stillness, there was fear, my pockets were empty, and even the mirror had stopped questioning me, as if it too understood what was left to ask. Yet, her shining eyes told me every day, ‘Stand strong, Papa, I still need you.’ She was the one holding me together, becoming the strong one, the Dhurandhar).”
Raj further recalled how, in 2016, when he took Sara to Mukesh Chhabra’s office, she walked in and came out holding his hand, almost dragging him outside, a moment that once again changed his fate. Soon after, he bagged Secret Superstar, which went on to become a blockbuster, collecting ₹900 crore worldwide.
He described Sara as the light in his life and said, “Yeh kabhi samjhati thi, kabhi thaam leti thi, meri behetar ki andheri deewaron pe aapni roshni ka kalam likh jaati thi aur aaj vahi beti kab Dhurandhar bankar duniya main aapni chamak bekhar rahi hai, tab bhi, aapni roshni ka kuch hissa mere naam kar rahi hai (She would sometimes guide me, sometimes hold me together. On the dark walls of my struggles, she would write lines of light with her own pen. And today, that same daughter has become a Dhurandhar, spreading her shine across the world, yet still dedicating a part of her light to me).”
He concluded by calling Sara his strength, saying, “Kabhi main usse sambhalta tha, ab voh mujhe sambhal rahi hai. Log kehte hain betiyan baap ka haath pakadkar aage badhti hain, meri kahani mein, main aapni beti ka haath pakadkar aapni manzil tak pahuncha hoon. Aur iss sachai ke iss ehsaas main, mujhe ek khamosh sa fakr feel hota hai (Once, I used to support her; now, she is the one supporting me. People say daughters move forward holding their father’s hand—in my story, I have reached my destination holding my daughter’s hand. And in this realisation, I feel a quiet sense of pride).”
About Raj Arjun and Sara Arjun
Raj made his Bollywood debut with Black Friday in 2004 and went on to appear in supporting roles in films like Rowdy Rathore, Raees and Thaandavam. However, he received widespread recognition for his performance in the 2017 film Secret Superstar. He later featured in films such as Thalaivii, Shershaah, Article 370, Razakar and Dear Comrade, among others.
Sara, on the other hand, began acting before the age of six. She first gained acclaim for her performance in Deiva Thirumagal and later appeared in films like Saivam, Ek Thi Daayan, Jai Ho and Jazbaa as a child artist. She recently made her debut as a female lead in Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar: The Revenge and has won hearts with her performance. The film has emerged as a major success, collecting ₹1,300 crore worldwide at the box office.
Tanvi Sharma, Anmol Kharb advance; Srikanth crashes out
India`s Kidambi Srikanth crashed out in the first round of the men`s singles event while Anmol Kharb and Tanvi Sharma entered the round of 16 in women`s singles event of the Orleans Masters Super Badminton tournament, here on Wednesday.
Srikanth, a former world No.1, lost 12-21, 10-21 against Magnus Johannesen of Denmark whereas Kharb recorded a compelling 21-12, 21-16 victory against Turkey`s Neslihan Arin.
Tanvi also progressed to the next round after defeating Supanida Katethong of Thailand after the latter conceded the match 21-18, 14-12 due to an injury.
Elsewhere, Rakshitha Ramraj lost 9-21, 15-21 in the first round against Manami Suizu of Japan.
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
Ranveer Singh has built ‘next level’ connect with Telugu audience with Dhurandhar 2: Bellamkonda Sreenivas
Dhurandhar 2 has been released in theatres today (March 19). Viewers have thronged to theatres nationwide to catch the film on the first day itself. The spy thriller directed by Aditya Dhar and starring Ranveer Singh in the lead has been receiving positive reviews so far. Many actors from across industries have praised the film, including Vijay Deverakonda and Allu Arjun. Now, Telugu star Bellamkonda Sreenivas has praised the film and hailed Ranveer’s performance. (Also read: ₹100 crore opening, beats Jawan with morning shows”>Dhurandhar 2 review, release live updates: Ranveer Singh film eyes ₹100 crore opening, beats Jawan with morning shows)
What Bellamkonda Sreenivas wrote
Sreenivas took to his X account and wrote, “Watched #DhurandharTheRevenge last night, what an absolute ride! High on intensity, emotion, and goosebumps @RanveerOfficial brother.. you just owned every frame! (fire emoticon) The connect you’ve built with Telugu audience is next level.”
He added, “We need your films hitting our screens regularly from now on! Big shoutout to @ActorMadhavan garu & total team for delivering solid depth. @AdityaDharFilms garu, outstanding vision and execution. Total theatrical high.”
About Dhurandhar 2
The film is set in Lyari town of Karachi, an area known for its history of gang wars and violent turf battles. The Aditya Dhar film revolves around covert intelligence operations against the backdrop of geopolitical and terror events. Dhurandhar 2 revolves around the psychological and physical transformation of Ranveer Singh’s character Jaskirat Singh Rangi into the spy Hamza Ali Mazari.
Dhurandhar 2 had the widest paid preview screening for an Indian film, with 9,000 shows across 6,000 screens in India alone. This gave the film domestic net earnings of ₹44 crore ( ₹52.50 crore gross), a new all-time record. Despite several dubbed shows being cancelled or postponed, and reports of glitches and delays in Hindi shows as well, Dhurandhar 2 managed to beat the existing record by a mile. The overall India record was reset, with Pawan Kalyan’s OG ( ₹25 crore) moving to second place.
An excerpt from the HT review of the film read, “What really saves the film is everything after the interval. The interval point hits well, and from there, the second half is far more engaging, building up nicely to a climax that lands exactly as it should.
Aditya, the director, also shows some good restraint. He doesn’t rely on obvious callbacks or flashbacks from the first film just to get cheers. The story moves forward instead of looking back, which works in its favour. Where the film does feel a bit heavy-handed, though, is in how often it praises the government in power. It starts to feel a little too deliberate, and you do wonder if it was needed.”
Ravindra Jadeja bowls to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in Rajasthan Royals nets: This happens next
The beauty of the Indian Premier League will always be its ability to help unlikely individuals cross paths, diversifying cricket and growing the sport with every passing year. Even within the context of Indian cricket, it offers the opportunity to the stars of tomorrow to rub shoulders with the heroes of today – and for Rajasthan Royals, that is exactly what is on offer, as Ravindra Jadeja marks his return to the Sawai Mansingh Stadium and shares the dressing room with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
The hard-hitting left-handed 15-year-old is one to watch in IPL 2026, expected to open the batting alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal for RR. With the players heading to training camps and preparing with just over a week to go for the IPL, first pictures were shared from the RR training camp – with Sooryavanshi facing batting practice, Ravindra Jadeja bowling at him.
In a piece of priceless experience, Sooryavanshi faced open practice from a player with over 600 international wickets to his name. Not only did Jadeja play party to the young man, but also showed that there were seeds of a great bond and teammate relationship being formed.
In a short clip shared by the RR social media channels, Jadeja can be seen bowling and sharing smiles and laughs with Sooryavanshi, even giggling after the southpaw launched a big hit off his bowling. On one instance, Jadeja fired a flat ball wide of off-stump, and Sooryavanshi was adamant it was a wide, saying “Paaji, bahaar hai (it’s outside).”
Can Jadeja-Sooryavanshi recreate 2008 RR success?
The fun battle saw plenty of big hitting but joy for Jadeja as well, as on one particular delivery he ran off celebrating after inducing a mishit from the young man.
Sooryavanshi left his mark on the IPL with a record-breaking, scintillating century in the previous edition, and has set the Under-19 and A-level tours on fire since the year since – with Jadeja’s expertise, as a player who has seen it all on this stage, Sooryavanshi could be one of the most impressive batters in this year’s tournament.
Jadeja joined RR after being traded away from Chennai Super Kings, where he had become part of the furniture. But Jadeja knows a thing or two about being a young superstar in the RR environment, having started off under Shane Warne’s wing in the 2008 victorious tournament. With RR still hunting for their next success, Jadeja might want to recreate that relationship, and see a little bit of Sooryavanshi in himself.
PM Narendra Modi's scenes 'Dhurandhar 2' make crowds whistle, clap
As ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’ hit the screens, director Aditya Dhar requested the audiences to not give out spoilers on social media. However, fans can’t keep calm really and have been gushing about moments from the film, making some clips viral. Audiences watching the film were taken by surprise by a couple of unexpected moments woven into the narrative. These scenes feature Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose on-screen presence has quickly become one of the film’s most talked-about elements.The sequel incorporates real footage of the Prime Minister during two significant moments in recent Indian history. One clip is from his 2014 swearing-in ceremony, while the other revisits his televised address announcing demonetisation in 2016. Both sequences are presented within the film in a broadcast format, blending real-world events with the storyline.Dhurandhar: The Revenge Movie ReviewThe response inside theatres has reportedly been electric each time Modi appears on screen. Videos circulating on social media capture audiences cheering loudly, whistling, and even chanting slogans during these moments.“As soon as Modi ji makes his entry in Dhurandhar, the entire theatre erupts whistles, claps, hooting everywhere. That moment says it all his popularity isn’t just real, it’s unstoppable (sic),” one user wrote on X. Another agreed, saying, “Fully agree! Huge claps yesterday (sic).”
Ahead of its release, the film had also sparked some controversy, with reports claiming that the Central Board of Film Certification suggested several cuts before awarding it an ‘A’ certificate.‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’ carries forward the story of the 2025 blockbuster ‘Dhurandhar’, led by Ranveer Singh. The ensemble cast also includes Rakesh Bedi, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, and Sara Arjun in key roles. The original film went on to become a massive success, reportedly earning over Rs 1,300 crore worldwide and emerging as one of Bollywood’s biggest hits.See More: ‘Dhurandhar 2 The Revenge’ Movie Review and Release Live Updates: Ranveer Singh starrer mints over Rs 50 crore from preview shows
