Anurag Kashyap has given Indian cinema one of its finest films, like Gangs of Wasseypur and Black Friday, to name a few. However, during his recent conversation with Sit with Hitlist, the filmmaker shared how he never thought Gangs of Wasseypur could be the ‘masterpiece’ he always dreamt of making.
The filmmaker also got candid about a few controversies attached to his name, such as the Epstein Files mention and the IT raid at his home.
Anurag Kashyap reacts to the Epstein Files mention and IT raid
When asked about his name being mentioned in the controversial Epstein Files, he promptly says, “In a mail. In a random mail,” before adding, “We get invitations from Harvard, Yale, everywhere. I don`t know. I have never been to Beijing. I have been to Shanghai in China once before 2014, I did a recce for Bombay Velvet.”
He further jokes that he thinks to himself, “Wow! What a company I have.”
Further talking about the IT raid at his house in 2021. He shared, “It had more to do with Phantom Films, because we got out and we split, and the valuation. What was there? What wasn`t there? Who has it? Who doesn`t have it? All that kind of thing happened.”
Further talking about the producing films phase of his career, he reveals, “I was the happiest when I was not a producer.” He adds, “I know how to spot people. I do that today as well, but I send them to places, people who I know will make the films.”
He further shares, “My weak point is handling money, for which I am always dependent on somebody else. And that somebody else has always let me down. So, instead of constantly being let down, it is better to work as a director.”
Anurag Kashyap opens up about the failure of Nishaanchi
The filmmaker also opened up about making a masterpiece. When pointed out that he had already made a masterpiece in Gangs of Wasseypur, the filmmaker says he didn’t know that when making the film. He adds that in his head Bombay Velvet was a masterpiece, and not Gangs of Wasseypur.”
Kashyap adds, “I love making films. I never had the end result in mind. I never thought what would be made. I just wanted to honestly make a film.”
Talking of his recent release, Nishaanchi, he says, “I have sat on Nishaanchi for 8 years to do it the right way, thinking I am doing something for myself, and this film as a whole is going to be a masterpiece.”
He further adds, “By the time it came out, nobody wanted to see the film. They wanted to speed it up. After the film was released, I was talking to my producer that ‘Do you think I should just sit down and try and make a faster cut for today`s generation?’ But that is not how I wanted to make this film.”
With MS Dhoni already 44, fans have been wondering about his role within the Chennai Super Kings setup for IPL 2026. Many fans wondered if he would feature more in the dugout as a mentor, due to Sanju Samson’s arrival. Samson can also don the gloves. But it looks like he will be an active player in the upcoming season and will play all matches, according to CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan.
MS Dhoni will be featuring as an active player during IPL 2026. (AFP)
The CSK veteran has also been training in Chennai since the first week of March. Reportedly, he began his preparations in Ranchi last month.
“He will play the matches, all matches,” said Viswanathan, while speaking to reporters.
‘A cricketing decision’
When asked if Dhoni would be used as an Impact Player, he said, “I can’t say. That’s a cricketing decision which will be taken by the cricketing staff, not by the administrative staff. They will decide whether he is going to play as a batter, or a wicketkeeper-batter or as an Impact Player.”
Dhoni is no longer the CSK captain, but his experience still comes in handy for the franchise during matches. He has captained CSK to the IPL final on ten occasions, winning it five times (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021 and 2023), a record jointly shared with Rohit Sharma. He has also led CSK to two Champions League T20 titles in 2010 and 2014.
Other than Dhoni, CSK also retained Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brewis, Shivam Dube, Urvil Patel, Noor Ahmad, Nathan Ellis, Shreyas Gopal, Khaleel Ahmed, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Mukesh Choudhary, Jamie Overton, Gurjapneet Singh, and Anshul Kamboj. Samson was traded in from RR, with Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran going the opposite direction.
Meanwhile, during the auction, they broke the bank for uncapped players Prashant Veer ( ₹14.20 crore) and Kartik Sharma ( ₹14.20 crore). They also spent big on international players Akeal Hosein ( ₹2 crore) and Matthew Short ( ₹1.5 crore).
Packing for a trip can often turn into a last-minute scramble—chargers go missing, toiletries are forgotten, and suitcases are packed in a rush. Entrepreneur Anshula Kapoor, however, appears to have found a simple solution that keeps travel preparation organised and almost effortless.
Anshula Kapoor
The “travel bin” idea
One of her most useful habits is maintaining a “travel bin”. This is a container where she stores items that are only used while travelling. Rather than pulling products from her everyday bathroom shelf, she keeps a ready-to-go toiletry kit and a small collection of travel essentials inside the bin.
When it is time to leave for a trip, she simply transfers these items into her suitcase. Because everything already has a designated place, it reduces the chances of forgetting important items like adapters, chargers or basic medicines.
And the most important tip? A running checklist on her Notes app, adding items that need to be restocked after each trip so the travel bin is always ready for the next getaway.
What goes inside the bin
Her travel kit includes a mix of practical and comfort items. Basic health essentials such as medicines, masks, nasal sprays and electrolyte sachets help deal with fatigue or motion sickness during long journeys.
She also carries a few items that make hotel stays easier. A small mirror, portable fan and travel steam iron can make a room feel more convenient during longer trips. Entertainment items such as a portable speaker or an extra Fire TV Stick are also packed so that downtime in the hotel feels more relaxed.
Technology is another important part of the kit. Extra power banks, charging cables, universal converters and luggage trackers like Airtags help ensure devices stay powered and bags are easy to locate.
Cleaning essentials like wet wipes and hand sanitiser are also always included, especially when travelling through busy airports and flights.
How to create your own travel bin
The easiest way to build a similar system is to keep duplicate items. A second set of chargers, cables and small toiletries can stay in the bin permanently so they are always ready for the next trip. Keeping a luggage weighing scale in the same container can also help avoid last-minute surprises at the airport.
Finally, it helps to maintain a simple checklist on your phone. After returning home, note anything that needs replacing so the bin stays ready for the next journey.
Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir reacted to former skipper MS Dhoni`s congratulatory post following India`s T20 World Cup win in Ahmedabad. Dhoni congratulated the players and added a special message for Gambhir, saying, `smile looks great on you`
Gambhir, known for his serious demeanour, has been a source of banter among fans and players alike. During the World Cup celebrations, Arshdeep Singhposted a video with Gambhir asking him to smile more.
Gambhir reacted to MS Dhoni`s message and lauded him for posting after India`s historic win. The former Indian opener added that the pressure of representing the country in major events makes it difficultforhim to express his emotions
“It`s very difficult to be in a situation where people have not been. But good on him that he posted on that, honestly, but I feel that when you`re in a dugout, there is so much at stake. There is always so much expectation from the Indian team that even if you want to laugh, you can`t laugh. Especially when you play a tournament like the World Cup. Because in India, unfortunately, losing is not an option, but it can happen. Because if losing was not an option, then India would have won all the World Cups. But that doesn`t happen,” Gambhir Gambhir said
MS Dhoni`s message for the Indian team after the T20 World Cup win
In a rare appearance on Instagram, former Indian skipper MS Dhoni posted a picture congratulating the Indian team for their historic World Cup triumph. The former World Cup-winning captain had a special compliment for coach Gambhir as he wrote, “smile looks great on u, intensity with smile is a killer combo”.
“History gets created at Ahmedabad, big congratulations to the team and support staff and to all the fans of the Indian Cricket Team worldwide. Such a pleasure to see all of u play. Coach Sahab smile looks great on u, intensity with smile is a killer combo, very well done. enjoy guys(BUMRAH ke baare mein kuch na likhoon tou hi acha hai. CHAMPION BOWLER),” MS Dhoni said in his Instagram post.
India defeated New Zealand by 96 runs in the final of the T20 World Cup to win back-to-back titles. This was also Team India`s third T20 World Cup title, the most in the history of cricket.
The United States is set to release 172 million barrels of oil from strategic reserve, the energy department said on Thursday. This came after US President Donald Trump said that he would tap into strategic reserves to reduce prices amid Iran war.“Right now we’ll reduce it a little bit and that brings the prices down,” Trump said in an interview with Local 12 television, when asked if he was going to tap the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve.The International Energy Agency’s announcement that member countries would release a record amount of oil from strategic reserves failed to calm supply fears, as crude prices climbed and global equities largely declined. The move followed warnings from Iran that it was prepared for a prolonged war of attrition that could “destroy” the global economy, after it fired on two commercial ships and threatened vessels belonging to the United States and its allies. The agency said member states would release about 400 million barrels of oil from emergency reserves to offset supply disruptions linked to the conflict and the impact on shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran has been retaliating against US and Israeli strikes launched on February 28 by targeting sites across the oil-rich Gulf and effectively shutting down the strategic waterway, through which nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil normally passes to global markets. Despite the IEA’s move, oil prices surged by more than four percent.
On March 8th, actor Kinshuk Vaidya stepped into a new phase of life as he welcomed a baby boy with his wife, Diksha Nagpal. Sharing his excitement about becoming a dad, Kinshuk admits that the reality of fatherhood still hasn’t fully sunk in. “Everything is moving so fast. We’re still trying to process these new feelings because the baby is keeping us on our toes. We’re learning new things every minute now. It’s a surreal feeling. No amount of words can do justice to it,” says Kinshuk.
Holding my baby boy for the first time was such a surreal feeling: Kinshuk Vaidya
Sharing an update about wife Diiksha and the baby’s health, he states, “Diksha got discharged yesterday. Both the baby and she are healthy. It was expected to be normal, but at the very last minute, it became a C-section. The good thing is Diksha is recovering well. Right now, that’s all that matters to us.”
Calling the moment incredibly special, the 34-year-old adds that the atmosphere around them has been filled with joy. “It’s a beautiful, healthy baby boy. I had always wished for a boy, while for Diksha, it was just about the baby being healthy. Friends and loved ones had even turned guessing the baby’s gender into a light-hearted game. The environment around us right now is very special and full of energy.”
When asked if things have been different since Diksha got pregnant, Kinshuk shares how becoming a father has made him rethink his work-life balance. “Now that I’ve become a father, I’d like to work fewer hours. I don’t want to be the kind of father whose child doesn’t see him because he’s always working. I’m currently shooting but have taken a small break to be with Diksha. Once I resume work in a few days, I’ll be cutting down on my working hours from maybe 12 hours to 8 hours a day, and not more than that,” says Kinshuk.
While the actor isn’t against introducing his kid to his fans, he says they’ll prefer to follow certain traditions and keep things private for now. “In many families, newborns are kept indoors for the first few weeks, and photographs are limited during that time. We don’t plan to share his pictures for now; we’ll decide when the time is right. I feel the more you keep something away from people, the more curiosity it creates. We’ll introduce him to social media when the right time comes.”
Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim praised India’s performance after their T20 World Cup 2026 triumph, saying the team proved its dominance despite criticism about pitches or alleged advantages. India successfully defended their title by defeating New Zealand by 96 runs in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, continuing their strong run in global tournaments.Some critics had earlier suggested that conditions favoured India during the tournament, but Wasim dismissed those claims and said the pitches were fair for all teams.
Ishan Kishan responds to Kirti Azad’s criticism | T20 World Cup
According to him, there were even moments when the conditions did not favour India, yet they still performed strongly throughout the competition.“We always hear people saying that umpires favour India or that they prepare spin-friendly pitches, but you have to agree that in this tournament, the pitches were very well balanced. Sometimes, the conditions were even against India, but they still managed to deliver a dominating performance,” Imad said on a Pakistani TV show.Wasim added that instead of questioning India’s success, other teams should acknowledge how well they played. He said their consistent results show how strong they currently are in international cricket.“So, we should not always nitpick or claim that India are looking for an escape route. As a cricketing nation, we have to praise them for their performance and accept the fact that in terms of cricket, they are bigger than us (Pakistan) and many other teams,” he added.India’s victory also made history as they became the first men’s team to retain the T20 World Cup title. The Suryakumar Yadav-led side also became the first host nation to win the tournament and the first team to lift the trophy three times.
Nikki Glaser returns to host of the 84th Annual Golden Globe Awards. Her return to the stage in 2027, will be the comedian’s third consecutive year hosting the awards show. An official post on the Globes’ social media handle read, “@NikkiGlaser returns to host the 84th Annual #GoldenGlobes! LIVE Sunday, January 10, 2027.“
Nikki Glaser announced as host of Golden Globes 2027
“We are thrilled to welcome Nikki back to the Golden Globes stage in 2027. Her comedic precision, authenticity, and ability to command the room is unmatched, and we can’t wait to see what she has up her sleeve for next year’s show,” said Golden Globes president Helen Hoehne in a statement to Variety.
Nikki Glaser reacts to announcement
“I’m thrilled to host the Golden Globes for a third time, not only because it’s the greatest gig I’ve ever had, but because my sister has three kids and now we will be equal in the eyes of my parents and the Lord,” Glaser said, according to Variety.She also previously expressed her desire to return to the stage and host the event for a third time. Speaking to the portal she said, “The hosts that really made their mark on the show, like Ricky [Gervais] and Tina [Fey] and Amy [Poehler] did it three or four times each. I want to be in the conversation with them! You can do anything once, but doing it twice is a feat. I’ll probably want to do it a third time.”
Nikki Glaser returns to host for third time
The morning after this year’s telecast, executive producers Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss lauded Glaser for her performance and immediately told the outlet that they hoped she would make it a three-peat on stage next year.“Nikki is such a great talent, and I think she really, truly found her place here. I think she’s a perfect host for us. And I will say this, that she is one of the hardest working people I’ve met in this industry. She really cares about what she’s doing. She goes out, she practices sets, things changed right up till when we went on the air from our first rehearsal to the last. And I’ve got to give her major props for not just how funny she is, but how hard she works and what a great person she is for this role,” Weiss told Variety on Monday morning, just hours after wrapping the live telecast.
Nikki Glaser’s work slate
Glaser will next be seen in the Hulu standup special ‘Good Girl,’ which premieres April 24. Her previous special, HBO’s ‘Someday You’ll Die,’ received Emmy, Grammy, Golden Globe and Critics Choice nominations and a WGA win. The star recently made her hosting debut on ‘Saturday Night Live’ and has upcoming projects including a role in Eva Longoria’s Netflix comedy ‘The Fifth Wheel.’
Meerut/Agra/Prayagraj/Kanpur Amid concerns over the escalating conflict in West Asia, fears of imminent cooking gas shortage have triggered a huge wave of panic buying and booking across Uttar Pradesh, even as officials said on Wednesday that stocks are adequate as of now.
On Wednesday, there was a queue of people to book LPG cylinder at a gas agency in Prayagraj. (PTI photo)
Gas agency operators said the government’s rule of allowing new LPG booking only after 25 days of the last refill has caused widespread panic. As a result, thousands of consumers attempted to book cylinders simultaneously, slowing down the company’s servers.
With online booking services temporarily disrupted, worried consumers have started visiting gas agencies in person. Confusion over domestic LPG availability has prompted many consumers to approach agencies to reactivate gas connections that have been dormant for years. According to agency operators, this unexpected demand has further increased the load on company servers, slowing the process of restoring those connections.
Panic over domestic LPG availability has spread in parts of Meerut after the implementation of the rule allowing consumers to book a new cylinder only after a gap of 25 days. The surge in bookings led to gas company servers crashing, long queues at gas agencies and complaints from residents about delays in cylinder delivery.
However, officials have denied any shortage of domestic LPG in the district and urged residents not to hoard cylinders.
Crowds have been reported at around 80 LPG agencies as consumers rush to make bookings. Many residents said that even after successfully booking the cylinder, they are facing delay in delivery. Anita, a housewife, said she is struggling to get her LPG cylinder despite completing the booking process.
Namoh Jain, president of Meerut Gas Dealers Association, dismissed concerns of any shortage. He said domestic LPG supply remains uninterrupted and adequate. According to him, panic among consumers is leading to unnecessary and repeated bookings, putting pressure on the system.
He said that due to the current global situation there has been increased fear among residents, even though the supply chain remains stable and the situation is under control.
District Magistrate VK Singh urged residents not to fall prey to rumors about LPG shortage. He said there was no shortage of domestic gas in the district and warned of strict action against anyone found indulging in black marketing or hoarding.
The DM said, “There is no shortage of gas anywhere. Consumers will continue to get LPG cylinders at the fixed price. Both gas agencies and the public will have to avoid unnecessary hoarding.”
However, there is an acute shortage of commercial LPG cylinders, forcing many hotels and restaurants to work under pressure as allegations of black marketing have emerged across the state.
Many hotel and restaurant operators in Prayagraj claim that commercial cylinders are being sold. ₹2,500- ₹Rs 2,600 in the open market.
A dhaba owner in George Town said he requested his gas agency’s delivery staff for a commercial cylinder on Tuesday morning. The worker reportedly said it could be arranged ₹2,500. “I needed it urgently for my business, so I agreed,” he said.
People trying to book domestic LPG cylinders in Sangam City are also facing delays. Sonam, a resident of Shivakuti, said that she is not able to book refill from her phone. When she visited a gas agency in Teliarganj, she was told that the next booking would be available only after 15 days.
Ruby Srivastava of Pritam Nagar had to face a similar problem. “My husband and I tried booking from our phones, but the call did not connect. When he visited the agency, he was told the supply was slow and refills would be available only after 10 days,” she said.
Similar complaints are coming from across the district. As news of the situation spread, crowds gathered outside several gas agencies to secure refills.
District Magistrate Manish Kumar Verma said, “There is no shortage of domestic gas in the district. Adequate stock is available as per demand and no citizen will face inconvenience. Monitoring teams have been formed to ensure strict action against black marketing.”
Harjinder Singh, president of Prayagraj Hotel and Restaurant Welfare Association, said the crisis has not yet seriously affected businesses, but problems may emerge soon.
“Commercial supplies have been stopped. Some people started selling cylinders after the news spread on Monday.” ₹2,500- ₹2,600. Some businesses have taken stock, but that will only last for two or three days,” he said.
To stop black marketing of LPG, petrol and diesel, the district administration has formed three monitoring teams. District Supply Officer Sunil Kumar Singh said that contact numbers of the teams have been issued so that people can report illegal selling/hoarding.
He urged citizens to book LPG refills only through the official smart booking app and avoid purchasing cylinders from unauthorized persons. He said that the next refill booking can be done only after 25 days.
There was panic buying of LPG in Kanpur also due to fear of supply disruption, while the district administration says that the supply of domestic gas is sufficient.
At a review meeting on Wednesday, District Magistrate Jitendra Pratap Singh said petroleum companies have assured the administration that the domestic LPG supply chain is functioning normally and adequate stock is available in the district.
According to officials, there are more than 11.44 lakh active LPG consumers in Kanpur, including 7.15 lakh connected to Indian Oil, 2.21 lakh to Bharat Petroleum and 2.07 lakh to Hindustan Petroleum, and cylinders are being supplied regularly.
However, rumors of shortages triggered panic booking at many gas agencies. People stood in line for hours to get cylinders at an outlet in Gujaini. A young woman waiting in the queue reportedly fainted, leading to a commotion among customers. Similar scenes were witnessed from Marble Market area of Kidwai Nagar where people gathered in large numbers to make bookings.
The uncertainty has also destabilized the city’s food and hospitality sector, which depends heavily on commercial LPG cylinders. Traders said the supply of commercial cylinders has slowed over the past two days, forcing restaurants and sweet shops to seek alternatives such as diesel and coal-fired furnaces.
According to trade bodies, Kanpur’s food sector includes more than 5,000 restaurants and sweet shops, around 200 hotels and around 1,500 guest houses, which handle almost daily business. ₹50 crores.
“With the wedding season and Navratri round the corner, the sudden disruption has put us in a difficult situation. Most establishments now operate modern kitchens built around gas systems. It is not easy to switch to coal or diesel in a short time,” said Rajkumar Bhagtani, general secretary of the Kanpur Guest House, Sweets and Restaurant Owners Association.
Vijay Pandit, president of the Hotel and Restaurant Association, said the industry is stuck without any preparation. “We respect the government’s decision, but such changes require time. At least two weeks should have been given to allow businesses to make alternative arrangements,” he said.
The Indian Industry Trade Delegation, led by its state president Gyanesh Mishra, also submitted a memorandum to the district administration, warning that prolonged disruption in commercial LPG supply could push thousands of food establishments towards closure.
However, officials reiterated that domestic LPG supplies remain stable and warned of strict action against black marketing.
In Varanasi, disruption in commercial gas supply has severely affected the corrugated packaging industry.
Rajesh Bhatia, president of UP Corrugated Box Manufacturers Association, Varanasi, said around 50 corrugated packaging units operating here, which fall under the micro and small scale industries category, are facing closure due to non-availability of gas.
He said that Varanasi’s packaging industry is not limited to the local market; Packaging boxes are supplied to various industries throughout Purvanchal and large parts of Bihar and Jharkhand.
Disruptions in commercial gas supplies have halted production, putting the jobs of hundreds of workers at risk. Disruption in the supply of packaging boxes is likely to impact the supply chains of pharmaceuticals, food, electronics, agricultural products and many other industries.
They demanded that the administration consider the packaging industry as an essential industrial activity and immediately restore the supply of commercial gas cylinders.
District Supply Officer KB Singh said that there is no shortage of domestic gas cylinders. Online booking and home delivery is available for the general public.
Additional District Magistrate (Civil Supplies) Amit Kumar Bhartiya said that uninterrupted domestic gas cylinder supply is being ensured and there is no crisis of LPG in the district.
As far as supply of commercial cylinders is concerned, the situation is being monitored, he said.
The three kitchens of Kashi Vishwanath Temple are working as usual. Temple administration officials said its Bhogshala (kitchen for preparing divine offerings) is also functioning normally.
Temple sub-divisional magistrate Shambhu Sharan confirmed this, saying, “All three kitchens are running normally. There is no shortage of cooking gas.”
Confusion over the new delivery rules and rumors of possible shortage of LPG remained rife in Bahraich as well.
District President of LPG Association Mohammad Ashfaq said that a major reason for this is the temporary interruption in the supply of commercial cylinders. As a result, many hotels and restaurants have been forced to either close operations or switch to domestic cylinders, leading to increased demand for domestic LPG cylinders.
Another major challenge, especially for rural consumers, is the mandatory OTP verification system introduced for cylinder delivery. Under the new rule, the delivery person will not deliver the cylinder until the consumer confirms the OTP sent to his registered mobile number. Ashfaq said many people in the villages either do not have mobile phones or change SIM cards frequently, or do not keep their numbers recharged, making it difficult for them to get OTP and get their cylinder.
District Supply Officer (DSO) Narendra Tiwari dismissed the possibility of any shortage of LPG. He clarified that there are 71 petroleum dealers in the district and none of them is facing supply crisis.
He acknowledged that there was some pressure on supplies due to the temporary stoppage of commercial cylinders, but said it was not a long-term issue.
Panic spread among consumers due to black marketing and hoarding of domestic LPG cylinders in Agra.
Shishir Bhagat, who runs a major food outlet, is worried as he has already closed one kitchen and has commercial gas only for a day. “We have stopped serving ‘thali’ for lunch and dinner and are running only fast food outlets for now,” he said.
ADM (Civil Supplies) AN Singh said there was no restriction on supply of commercial gas and complaints of shortage were being dealt with. He said that apart from the domestic sector, priority has been given to supply of commercial gas to hospitals, schools and jails.
Rajeev Saxena, president, Tourism Guild of Agra, said, “Due to the ongoing tensions in West Asia, difficult days are ahead as the stock available in hotels, restaurants is depleting. Star category hotels have boilers that run on gas and any shortage will affect them badly. Switching to induction plates in cooking will increase power consumption.”
Meanwhile, following a slight drop in the supply of LPG cylinders in Gorakhpur division, people were seen gathering outside gas agencies since morning.
District Magistrate Deepak Meena deployed nodal officers at the distribution centres, while police personnel were also deployed to maintain order.
According to officials, against the daily demand of around 30,000 LPG cylinders in Gorakhpur district, currently only 20,000 cylinders are being supplied through 85 gas agencies.
District Supply Officer Ramendra Pratap Singh said that there is no need to panic, officials are closely monitoring the supply situation. He said 23,000 cylinders were sent to the city on Wednesday to ease the shortage.
In Deoria, DSO Sanjay Pandey said the supply was temporarily affected due to Holi, which slowed down the delivery. However, he assured that all the 77 gas agencies in the district are currently functioning properly and the backlog will be cleared soon. (Input from Gorakhpur and Bahraich)
