‘Jagadhatri’ actor Farman Haider shares how he is following roza and shooting during Ramadan. “It can be physically demanding during long shooting hours under the lights. There are moments when my energy dips, but I believe roza gives me inner strength and mental clarity,” says the actor.
Former Royal Challengers Bangalore batter AB de Villiers has backed Virat Kohli as a key figure in the franchise, saying his role goes beyond runs and continues to influence the team.RCB will begin their IPL 2026 campaign on March 28 against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The team will enter the season after winning their first title last year.
“Virat definitely is still the heartbeat of the franchise. Not only through his performances and the consistency he has achieved with the bat over the years, but also through his presence and the energy he brings to the squad. The way he conducts himself on and off the field, always fighting for the team, stands out. He brings that energy and makes the youngsters believe that they can ultimately go on and win the trophy, which RCB did last year,” de Villiers told JioHotstar, as cited by news agency IANS.De Villiers said the difference last season was the contribution from multiple players instead of relying on a few.“What I liked about last season, yes, he was one of the main run-scorers in the team, as openers usually are, but there were other players who stepped in. In the past, RCB were often guilty of relying on just two, three, or four players performing consistently. This time, I felt the entire team chipped in,” he added.Referring to the IPL 2025 final, where RCB won their first title, he pointed to the role played by others in the batting line-up.“The final is a great example, with Virat scoring 43 runs off 35 balls. But it was actually Patidar, Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma, and Romario Shepherd who scored at a high strike rate and helped the team post 190-plus, ultimately winning the game. Krunal Pandya also chipped in with the ball.”He said the team now has better support around Kohli.“That’s my point, players contributing like that throughout the season, and the bowling attack stepping up. Virat can feel that; he can sense that he is not the only one carrying the load anymore. He has a squad of fighters around him, all gunning to win the trophy. I think they are in a really good place. It’s a similar squad, they didn’t have to change much, and they have good reason to believe they can go all the way again this coming season,” he said.
It is hoped Charles H Bennett and Gilles Brassard’s work will make digital communications secure for decades ahead.
Paris Saint-Germain snuffed out any chance of a Chelsea comeback with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia among the scorers in a clinical 3-0 victory at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday which took the holders through to the Champions League quarter-finals 8-2 on aggregate. The Georgian`s early opener was soon followed by a brilliant Bradley Barcola strike, quickly ending Chelsea`s hopes of turning around their 5-2 deficit from the first leg of the last-16 tie last week.
Substitute Senny Mayulu then fired in PSG`s third in the second half, as Luis Enrique`s men march on to a last-eight tie next month against either Liverpool or Galatasaray — the Turkish side go to Anfield with a 1-0 first-leg advantage on Wednesday. PSG`s dream of retaining the Champions League title remains very much alive, a year after winning the trophy for the first time in their history.
The Qatar-backed side`s comprehensive victory in this tie gives them revenge for their loss to the Blues in last July`s Club World Cup final, and indicates that they might be finding their very best form again at just the right time. “It is amazing. To score three goals away against Chelsea is good and the important thing is that we continue to play very well, so we have to keep going like this,” Kvaratskhelia told broadcaster Canal Plus.
This was their fourth win in a two-legged knockout tie against Premier League opposition since the start of last year, but while that record is impressive, Chelsea looked a long way short of the level required in Europe`s elite club competition. Liam Rosenior`s team never really appeared to believe they could come back from their collapse six days ago at the Parc des Princes, when they conceded three late goals to go from 2-2 to 5-2 down. “A tough night. We knew it was a tough ask and then we started the game in the manner that we did,” Rosenior told TNT Sports.
Their attention will now turn back to the fight to qualify for the Champions League again next season, after a miserable week in which two defeats against PSG have come either side of a loss at home to Newcastle United in the Premier League. “When you go through a difficult run, you have to make sure your habits are right,” Rosenior added. “We have a really difficult game at Everton (on Saturday) and we have to be at our best to get a result there.” Robert Sanchez started in goal here, as he had done at the weekend, after Filip Jorgensen replaced the Spaniard and was at fault for PSG`s crucial third goal in the first leg.
PSG, meanwhile, gave a start to Kvaratskhelia after he came off the bench to score a late double in Paris which swung the tie decisively his team`s way. The Parisians also made the trip undoubtedly feeling fresher after their scheduled weekend Ligue 1 game against Nantes was called off to aid their preparations. Within six minutes here they were ahead as Mamadou Sarr — making his Champions League debut — misjudged a long kick downfield from PSG goalkeeper Matvey Safonov and Kvaratskhelia outmuscled the young Chelsea defender before beating Sanchez. The second goal came on the quarter-hour, with Warren Zaire-Emery supplying Achraf Hakimi on the right and the Moroccan finding Barcola who controlled on the edge of the box before sending a superb strike into the top-left corner. The tie was as good as over at that point, and home fans began flooding for the exits when the third goal arrived just after the hour mark.
Kvaratskhelia did the spadework this time down the left before his ball into the middle fell to Mayulu — the 19-year-old, who replaced Joao Neves at half-time, gave Sanchez no chance with a lethal first-time strike. That was the 65th goal Chelsea have conceded this season, and a miserable evening for them was then compounded when Trevoh Chalobah was stretchered off late on, leaving the hosts to finish the game with 10 men as they had used all their substitutes. Rosenior said the defender had a sprained ankle and that he was “praying it`s nothing too serious.”
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NEW DELHI: India is deploying additional warships in the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman to ensure safe passage for its fuel and LPG carrying vessels as tensions escalate around the Strait of Hormuz, Bloomberg reported citing sources.The Indian Navy has positioned more than half a dozen warships, including logistics vessels, as a precautionary measure.
The ships will remain east of the Strait of Hormuz and will not enter the sensitive waterway. Their primary role will be to escort Indian vessels to safer waters in the northern Arabian Sea, the people familiar with the matter told the agency.The deployment comes as India anticipates that Iran may allow more fuel tankers to exit the strait. In recent days, New Delhi has already secured safe passage for two state-owned LPG tankers and is in talks with Tehran to facilitate movement of more vessels.
The Strait of Hormuz has effectively been shut since US-Israel airstrikes on Iran in late February, triggering supply disruptions. India, which relies heavily on the region for energy imports, has been particularly affected, with about 90% of its LPG imports sourced from the Middle East.India has not directly responded to US calls for allied naval participation in securing the strait. External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the issue was not discussed with Washington “in a bilateral setting.”The current deployment is part of Operation Sankalp, launched in 2019 to safeguard Indian merchant shipping and maritime interests in the Gulf region.According to government data, 22 India-flagged vessels remain stranded in the Persian Gulf, carrying critical energy supplies. These include LPG carriers, LNG tankers, crude oil ships, and other cargo vessels.Earlier in the day, the shipping ministry spokesperson, Rajesh Kumar Sinha said that, “India’s 1.67 million tonnes of crude oil, 3.2 lakh tonnes of LPG and about 2 lakh tonnes of LNG are stuck on the 22 Indian-flagged ships stranded in the Persian Gulf, waiting to transit through the Strait of Hormuz.” He added that all 611 seafarers onboard these vessels are safe. Efforts are underway to secure safe passage for the ships.The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow but vital link between the Persian Gulf and open seas, handles nearly one-fifth of global oil shipments. Its closure has disrupted global energy flows, with nearly 500 tanker vessels currently stranded in the region.India imports around 88% of its crude oil, 50% of its natural gas, and 60% of its LPG. A significant portion of these supplies, up to 95% of LPG and about 30% of gas, typically pass through the strait.While crude oil disruptions have been partly offset by alternative sources such as Russia, West Africa and the US, supplies of LPG and gas have been hit, especially for industrial and commercial users.Earlier, under the watchful eyes of the Indian Navy, two Indian-flagged LPG tankers belonging to Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), Shivalik and Nanda Devi, have successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz and reached India. Another Indian-flagged oil tanker, Jag Prakash, which is carrying gasoline from Oman to Africa, has also set sail from east of the Strait of Hormuz.
The song Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke from the upcoming Kannada film KD: The Devil has sparked a controversy over its alleged vulgar lyrics. It triggered outrage on social media and elsewhere and has now disappeared from the official YouTube page. Now, singer Mangli, who has sung the song, took to social media to issue an apology. She also said that a revised version of the song would be released.
Mangli took to Instagram and wrote in her post, “Out of respect for public sentiment, the song has been removed from all platforms. I sincerely apologise to each and every one of you for the unintended mistake. It was never meant to hurt anyone’s sentiments, and we truly regret the oversight.”
She further added, “The corrected version of the lyrics has now been updated, and the revised version of the song will be released today evening. We assure you that such a situation will not arise again. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the makers of the film and music director Arjun Janya sir, for whom I have the highest regard.”
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Bollywood actor and performer Nora Fatehi on Wednesday finally broke her silence on the controversy. In a post on Instagram alongside a long video, Fatehi said she was thankful for the backlash as it pushed the makers to finally remove the song from social media. She said she had already flagged that the Hindi lyrics were problematic. Fatehi urged the media and social media pages to hold filmmakers accountable when controversies around songs or content arise, rather than directing attention solely at the artists involved.
The song has faced criticism from several public figures, including actor-politicians Ravi Kishan and Kangana Ranaut, as well as singer Armaan Malik.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued a notice to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry and the Censor Board, which in turn said it had nothing to do with the matter since the song was released on YouTube. Its action came after it received a complaint alleging that the lyrics of “Sarke Chunar” contain “vulgar, sexually suggestive, and double-meaning” words, which are inappropriate for public consumption, especially for children, according to the proceedings of the case on Tuesday.
Virat Kohli is all set to return in Royal Challengers Bengaluru colours, with excitement building after his last appearance in January during the ODI series against New Zealand. The seasoned batter has looked in excellent touch in the format since stepping away from Tests and T20Is, continuing to anchor innings with authority. As one of the league’s biggest draws, his comeback always carries added buzz. Kohli currently sits on 8,661 runs from 267 matches, including eight centuries and 63 fifties, and will have a major milestone in sight, becoming the first player in IPL history to breach the 9,000-run mark.
Anil Kumble, who has led RCB in the past, reflected on Virat Kohli’s deep-rooted bond with the franchise, highlighting how the franchise’s identity has revolved around him for over a decade. He also pointed to the unmatched fan loyalty in Bengaluru, underlining Kohli’s lasting legacy with the team.
“Yes, RCB’s identity is still built around him. If you look back at RCB over the last 10-12 years, it has always been about someone like Virat Kohli. Once he took over the captaincy in 2013, it has been about his presence with the franchise. Of course, AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle received a similar kind of support. I was fascinated when AB walked in to play his 100th Test match at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, you could see the kind of reception he received even while representing South Africa. That shows the kind of love people of Bengaluru have for RCB and for Virat. Like we speak about MS (Dhoni) and CSK, Virat and RCB will always be synonymous, and I don’t think that will change. That legacy will remain,” Kumble said on Star Sports’ IPL Today Live.
The Indian batting maestro enjoyed another prolific campaign last season, amassing 657 runs in 15 innings while maintaining an average of 54.75 and striking at 144.71. With eight fifties in the tally, he stood out as RCB’s most consistent performer and ended up among the top three run-scorers in the competition.
Kumble spoke about the mindset that defines elite players like Kohli, stressing how constant evolution is key to staying ahead. He hinted that Kohli could unveil new strokes this season, much like AB de Villiers once did.
“Great players always look to improve, they are never satisfied. Every season, you want to make corrections, not just for the team but also for your own growth and to challenge yourself. Don’t be surprised if he comes into this season with a different outlook, perhaps trying something like the scoop shot or the reverse scoop. We have seen AB de Villiers do that consistently over the years, and Virat could add that to his batting repertoire as well. Great players like him are constantly looking to evolve, improve, and challenge themselves,” he added.
Filmmaker Mohit Suri has revealed whether his next film will feature actor Ranbir Kapoor after reports emerged that they are all set to collaborate on a project. Speaking with Variety India, Mohit clarified that the reports aren’t true but added that he “genuinely” wants to work with Ranbir.
Mohit also praised Ranbir Kapoor, calling him ‘a great star.’ He said, “Ranbir Kapoor is not in my next film. I genuinely want to work with him, and I hope he feels the same way about me. I went to meet him to discuss and intend to work together. Meanwhile, it’s been in news that we are already doing a film together. Ranbir and I know each other as he’s been following my career right from the beginning.”
“He’s one of the few actors and such a great star who appreciates a film like Awaarapan even though it flopped when it was released. He keeps telling me it’s one of my best films. Normally, actors just talk to you about your highest-grossing film and say that’s your best film. While Ranbir is talking about a flop film of mine,” he added.
Mohit said Ranbir has what he wants in the hero of his film. He said that Ranbir “has the depth and layered nuances that my kind of films need.” He added that “there is no Ranbir Kapoor in my film, at the moment. I wish there was.”
Mohit is known for films such as Aashiqui 2, Malang, Awarapan, Ek Villain, Zeher, Murder 2, Kalyug, Woh Lamhe, Raaz: The Mystery Continues, Crook, Hamari Adhuri Kahani, Half Girlfriend, and Ek Villain Returns.
His latest directorial release is Saiyaara, which emerged as one of the biggest blockbusters of last year. Saiyaara starred Ahaan Panday in his Bollywood debut. It also featured Aneet Padda. The film received praise for the fresh casting, gorgeous music, and the performance of its two leads.
Fans will see Ranbir playing Lord Ram in Nitesh Tiwari’s much-awaited two-part epic Ramayana along with Sai Pallavi, Sunny Deol, Ravi Dubey, and others. Ramayana Part 1 is set to release on Diwali 2026, while the second instalment is set for release in Diwali 2027. He also has Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s directorial Love and War. It also stars Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal. The film was officially announced in January 2024.
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has said that it doesn’t certify content on digital platforms. In a statement to news agency PTI, the CBFC said it had not received any application to certify the song Sarke Chunar from the upcoming Kannada film KD The Devil.
“This is to clearly state that CBFC has not received any application seeking certification for the song Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke from KD The Devil Film. It is to be noted clearly that content on digital platforms is not certified by CBFC. There is often confusion about this, and CBFC is unnecessarily dragged into matters that are not connected,” CBFC said in a statement.
The board, headed by lyricist-writer Prasoon Joshi, said they are “a responsible and responsive” body with committed members who take portrayal of women in cinema sensitively and, through sincere effort, shifted the needle from controversy to constructive dialogue. “In the case of this particular song, all queries should be directed to the platform and the makers of the song,” the statement further stated.
The song, which released on YouTube earlier this week, raked up a major controversy with its sexually explicit lyrics. It has since been pulled down from the video-sharing platform. The song, which features Nora Fatehi and Sanjay Dutt, was released on YouTube recently and quickly went viral for its shock value and lyrics that almost describe a sexual act, as per news agency PTI.
The original Kannada version is penned by the movie’s director, Prem, while its Hindi version is credited to Raqeeb Alam, who has distanced himself from the track in the wake of the controversy.
Earlier in the day, Nora Fatehi also issued a clarification, saying she shot the song in Kannada, a language she doesn’t understand, and was shocked to learn about the lyrics of the Hindi version, like everyone else.
The song has faced criticism from several public figures, including actor-politicians Ravi Kishan and Kangana Ranaut, as well as singer Armaan Malik.
Produced by Venkat K Narayana under KVN Productions and presented by the same banner, KD The Devil is a period action entertainer inspired by real events from 1970s Bangalore. The movie features Dhruva Sarja in the titular role alongside Sanjay Dutt, Shilpa Shetty Kundra, Ramesh Aravind, Reeshma Nanaiah and V Ravichandran. The film is scheduled for a theatrical release on April 30.
NEW DELHI: Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations triumph has been thrown into controversy after the Confederation of African Football overturned the final result and awarded the title to Morocco months after the match.The decision has sparked outrage in Senegal, with the government rejecting the ruling and demanding accountability.The original final saw Senegal beat Morocco 1-0 after extra time, despite chaotic scenes late in normal time when Senegal players briefly walked off the pitch to protest a penalty decision. Although they returned and went on to win, CAF later ruled that their temporary exit violated competition rules.
Explaining the reversal, CAF cited regulations stating that any team that leaves the field without permission should forfeit the match 3-0. However, Senegal strongly disagreed. Government spokesperson Marie Rose Khady Fatou Faye said, “By calling into question a result achieved at the end of a match that was properly played and won in accordance with the rules of the game, the CAF seriously undermines its own credibility”. She added, “Senegal unequivocally rejects this unjustified attempt at dispossession” and called for “an independent international investigation into suspected corruption within the CAF’s governing bodies”.
Senegal’s football authorities have confirmed they will challenge the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The federation stated, “The Senegalese Football Federation condemns this unjust, unprecedented and unacceptable decision, which brings African football into disrepute”.Meanwhile, Morocco’s football body maintained that its appeal was only about enforcing rules, saying it “was never intended to contest the sporting performance” but to ensure regulations were followed.The controversy stems from a tense ending to the match, including a late penalty awarded after a VAR check and crowd trouble that disrupted play. Sadio Mane had helped calm the situation before the game resumed.With both sides standing firm, the final outcome of the tournament now depends on legal proceedings, leaving one of Africa’s biggest football events under a cloud.
