Nobody expected Dhurandhar to become the biggest box office success of 2025. The Aditya Dhar film was released at the end of the year, with definite buzz, but cautious expectations from the trade. What followed was a tsunami of collections, unlike anything that Bollywood had seen in decades. That not only made Dhurandhar one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of all time, but also set up its sequel – Dhurandhar: The Revenge – as one of the most anticipated Indian films of recent years.
Dhurandhar 2: Ranveer Singh as a young Jaskirat in the teaser.
How Dhurandhar 2 trumps Part 1 in build-up
Dhurandhar, which stars Ranveer Singh as a spy, came as a surprise blockbuster. Most expected the film to do well, but were cagey about the degree of that ‘very well’. The film’s pre-release business reflects that. According to trade insiders, Dhurandhar did a pre-release business of ₹150 crore. Pinkvilla reported that its music rights, for instance, were sold for ₹20 crore. The fact that all the songs from the film eventually became chartbusters shows just how sweet a deal that was for Saregama. In contrast, Variety India reported that T-Series has bought the music rights of Dhurandhar 2 for a staggering ₹60 crore. Similarly, while Netflix paid ₹85 crore for Dhurandhar, JioHotstar paid ₹150 crore for the sequel, as per a Bollywood Hungama report.
Given the hype the film carries, the satellite rights are expected to have gone for a higher amount as well. Part 1 was sold to Star for ₹25-30 crore.
Is Durandhar 2 already profitable?
According to trade sources, the non-theatrical pre-release business of Dhurandhar 2 will easily cross ₹250 crore. Dhurandhar’s success has elevated the film’s stature. This was earlier seen in the case of the two Pushpa films. Part 1 sold all its non-theatrical rights for around ₹100 crore in 2021. But three years later, Part 2 did a non-theatrical business of over ₹400 crore.
Dhurandhar was earlier a single film made on a ₹400 crore budget. Since it was split into two parts, the production budget for Dhurandhar 2 is estimated at a little over ₹200 crore, including a few reshoots. The film is likely to have a landing cost of around ₹250 crore, after factoring in marketing and overhead costs. This means that the non-theatrical business alone will help the film break even. Add the distribution rights cost, and Dhurandhar 2 will turn a profit before selling a single ticket. Part 1 registered a profit of around ₹400 crore, and Part 2 hopes to emulate it, if not surpass.
All about Dhurandhar 2
Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar starred Ranveer Singh as an Indian spy in Pakistan. The film also stars Akshaye Khanna, R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, and Sanjay Dutt. The sequel – Dhurandhar: The Revenge – releases in theatres on March 19, with all the actors reprising their roles. Dhurandhar 2 will clash at the box office with Yash’s pan-India film, Toxic.
NEW DELHI: India’s Under-19 cricket team created history by winning their sixth ICC U-19 World Cup title with a commanding performance against England at Harare Sports Club on Friday. The victory extends India’s record in the tournament and showcased the exceptional talent of the young side.“India’s cricketing talent shines! Proud of our U-19 team for bringing home the World Cup. The team has played very well through the tournament, showcasing exceptional skill. This win will inspire several young sportspersons too. Best wishes to the players for their upcoming endeavours,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on X, congratulating the squad.
How India trained at Wankhede – massive sixes, intense chats and more
The standout performer was 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who smashed a breathtaking 175 off just 80 balls. His innings, filled with confident strokeplay and relentless aggression, set the foundation for India’s mammoth total of 412. India had a shaky start, losing an early wicket, but a second-wicket partnership between Vaibhav and captain Ayush Mhatre turned the momentum decisively in India’s favour.“Heartiest congratulations to India’s Young Champions on lifting the ICC U19 World Cup trophy in Harare, Zimbabwe. A truly historic achievement as India clinches the title for a record sixth time. Special appreciation to young star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for his record breaking knock,” wrote vice-president CP Radhakrishnan. “I extend my best wishes to Captain Ayush Mhatre and the entire team on this proud moment for the nation.”The team’s undefeated run and dominant performance earned praise from President Droupadi Murmu, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. “Congratulations to our young champs as Team India lifts ICC Men’s #U19WorldCup. Your blazing performance, setting the crowning record of winning the cup for the sixth time, thrilled young players with joy, enthusiasm, and motivation. The nation celebrates your victory,” penned Shah.“Heartiest congratulations to Team India on winning the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup 2026 for the record sixth time! Remaining undefeated throughout the tournament, the team has done the nation proud with its dominant performance. I wish the talented young players a very bright future ahead. I am sure that Indian cricket will go from strength to strength,” wrote Murmu.“In today’s Under-19 World Cup final match between India and England, Bihar’s cricketer Vaibhav Suryavanshi delivered a spectacular performance… I wish that Vaibhav creates new records for Team India in the future and brings glory to the nation,” Kumar said.With more than 400 runs on the board, England struggled to respond, leaving the Indian bowlers in a commanding position to seal a historic victory. The triumph reflects the confidence, skill, and maturity of India’s youngest cricketers on the world stage.
Actor Pankaj Tripathi has extended his support to singer Arijit Singh, days after his decision to quit playback singing. Speaking with NDTV, Pankaj stressed the importance of taking frequent breaks, “as being an artist is demanding.” He also said they are artists, not products.
Pankaj Tripathi talked about Arijit Singh and his decision to quit playback singing.
Pankaj Tripathi supports Arijit Singh’s decision to quit playback singing
Pankaj Tripathi highlighted that slowing down is necessary for an artist to be able to do something new. “You need a break to reinvent yourself. It’s important to take frequent breaks or slow down, as being an artist is a demanding job. Only then will an artist be able to do something new. We are not factory products,” the actor said.
“We aren’t like those 1,000 copies of matchboxes that a factory produces every day. We are artists, not products… Bahut bhaag-daud hai (There’s a lot of running around). Every actor has to struggle and sacrifice a lot to reach where they are today. You should be excited to go on set. And the motivation for that excitement keeps changing again and again,” added Pankaj.
What did Arijit say about quitting playback singing
Arijit’s decision to step away from playback singing left fans as well as celebrities in shock. Last month, Arijit announced that he would no longer take up new assignments as a playback vocalist, bringing an end to a “wonderful” journey.
In a message shared with his fans on Instagram, Arijit expressed gratitude for the love he has received over the years. “Hello, Happy New Year to all. I want to thank you all for giving me so much love all these years as listeners. I am happy to announce that I am not going to be taking any new assignments as a playback vocalist from now on. I am calling it off. It was a wonderful journey,” he wrote in his post.
More about Arijit
Arijit began his career on the reality show Fame Gurukul in 2005 and made his Hindi film debut with Phir Mohabbat from Murder 2 in 2011. Later, he went on to become a household name after Tum Hi Ho from Aashiqui 2 in 2013, continuing to release multiple hits.
India’s Under-19 captain Ayush Mhatre was delighted to carry forward the legacy of Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur as he guided the team to their sixth Under-19 World Cup title. India beat England by 100 runs in the final on Friday, February 6 at Harare Sports Club, Harare, as the nation completed a unique sweep of World Cups over the past two years.
India’s senior men’s team are the current holders of the T20 World Cup, having won the title in 2024 under Rohit Sharma’s leadership. Later, India’s Under-19 women’s team clinched the T20 World Cup in 2025 under Niki Prasad. Following that success, the Indian senior women’s team went on to win the ODI World Cup 2025 on home soil under Harmanpreet Kaur.
And now, with the Under-19 men’s team winning their sixth World Cup title, India have completed a remarkable sweep of World events across different age groups in both men’s and women’s categories, a feat unmatched by any other nation. Following the historic triumph, Mhatre said he was delighted to carry forward the winning legacy established by the senior teams.
“I can’t express my feelings, but it’s a memorable moment for us and an incredible journey. The boys have played really well, and the goals we set were executed perfectly. They played their natural game, and I’m really happy. We are happy that we have carried forward the legacy that Rohit Sharma also won the World Cup, Harmanpreet also, and now us. So we are proud to carry forward the legacy,” said Mhatre after lifting the trophy.
Mhatre also showered praise on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for his whirlwind innings in the summit clash, which completely blew England away.
“Yeah, he (Sooryavanshi) just kept at it. We have no words for him, what an innings he played. But we know he’s a fabulous batsman, and he showed in this match what he can do. This is the same attitude we should play with and how we have played here. We may not play together again in the same team, but we can carry forward this attitude and continue to play this type of cricket,” he added.
Sooryavanshi slams record-breaking century
Sooryavanshi slammed a 55-ball century and went on to play a record-breaking innings of 175 off just 80 balls, studded with 15 fours and as many sixes. Courtesy of his breathtaking knock, India posted a massive total of 411/9 in their allotted 50 overs. In reply, England were bundled out for 311 in 40.2 overs, despite Caleb Falconer’s sensational century of 115 off 67 balls.
RS Ambrish emerged as the pick of the bowlers for India, registering figures of 3/56 in nine overs, while Deepesh Devendran (2/64 in six overs) and Kanishk Chouhan (2/63 in 8.2 overs) scalped two wickets each.
Following India’s comprehensive victory, Sooryavanshi was adjudged Player of the Match for his belligerent innings and was also named Player of the Series after finishing as the second-highest run-scorer with 439 runs from seven innings, at an average of 62.71 and a strike rate of 169.49, including one hundred and three fifties.
Rasika Dugal has joyfully announced the end of filming for ‘Mirzapur: The Movie,’ with audiences eagerly awaiting its theatrical release on September 4, 2026. In an adorable farewell, she revealed behind-the-scenes snippets, such as a delightful wrap cake, as the project gears up for post-production.
Rasika Dugal has wrapped shooting for ‘Mirzapur: The Movie’ and marked the moment with a behind-the-scenes post on Instagram. The actor, who reprises her role as Beena Tripathi, shared a set of candid photos from the final days on set. The images offer small, personal details from the shoot and confirm that the film is now locked for post-production, with a theatrical release scheduled for September 4, 2026.The update gives fans their first clear sign that the big-screen expansion of the Mirzapur universe is moving ahead as planned. Dugal’s post also hints at the emotional close of a long shoot with the team that shaped the original series.
Rasika Dugal wraps Mirzapur movie shoot
Rasika Dugal shared the update on Instagram, posting a mirror selfie with her team followed by close-up shots from the set. The photos include what appears to be a script page tucked beneath a blue sari, stacked bangles, and a final wrap cake that read, “Wrap for Beena.” In her caption, she confirmed the shoot was complete and wrote that the film is “wrapped and announced,” with the release date set for September 4, 2026.She also reflected on returning to familiar ground, writing about reuniting with the “Tripathis” and working again with the same core creative team. Dugal tagged director Gurmmeet Singh and writer Puneet Krishna, both closely associated with the original Mirzapur series. It came across as a warm wrap message, not a teaser.
Mirzapur movie cast and franchise details
‘Mirzapur: The Movie’ expands the crime thriller universe that began as a streaming series and built a cult following for its brutal power struggles and shifting loyalties. The film is positioned as the franchise’s first theatrical outing and is backed by Amazon MGM Studios and Excel Entertainment. With filming complete, post-production is expected to begin next.The movie brings back key characters from the series, including Pankaj Tripathi as Kaleen Bhaiya, Ali Fazal as Guddu Pandit, and Rasika Dugal as Beena Tripathi. Shweta Tripathi also returns. Reports indicate that Divyenndu is set to reprise his role as Munna Tripathi, adding another layer to the film’s narrative.With the shoot wrapped and the release date confirmed, Dugal’s behind-the-scenes photos serve as a quiet signal that Mirzapur’s world is ready to move from streaming screens to movie theaters.
The latest Epstein files to be released in the United States have triggered a political storm in Norway after two high-placed figures were revealed to have close ties to the late convicted sex offender and financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The largest tranche yet of legal documents relating to the prosecution of Epstein for sex offences, including the trafficking of underage girls, includes some 3 million pages of documents, as well as 2,000 videos and 180,000 photographs, and was released a week ago.
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The documents were published under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which President Donald Trump signed into law in November after pressure from his supporters to make the files public, fulfilling his campaign promises.
As media, investigators and other interested parties continue to pore through this vast array of material, new revelations have been coming out throughout the week.
They have implicated many famous people, from princes to industry leaders, believed to have been in Epstein’s vast network, including Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, billionaire Elon Musk, Microsoft founder Bill Gates and the United Kingdom Labour politician Peter Mandelson.
In Norway, the revelation of emails between Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Epstein caused initial shockwaves.
Then, on Thursday this week, Norwegian police opened a criminal investigation into former Norwegian Prime Minister Thorbjorn Jagland on suspicion of “gross corruption” linked to gifts, loans and benefits he may have received from Epstein.
The latest Epstein files also included emails showing that Borge Brende, who was Norway’s foreign minister from 2013 to 2017, had several business dinners with Epstein.
Here’s what we know about the scandal in Norway:
Who is Thorbjorn Jagland, and what is he being investigated for?
Jagland, 75, is a senior politician within Norway’s Labour Party. He is being investigated for economic corruption.
He was Norway’s prime minister from 1996 to 1997 and, afterwards, served as foreign affairs minister from 2000 to 2001. He was also head of parliament (stortingspresident) from 2005 to 2009.
However, Jagland’s association with Epstein is linked to his time as secretary-general of the Council of Europe, formed to protect human rights on the continent, and his simultaneous leadership of the Nobel Committee.
He joined the Norwegian Nobel Committee as chairman in 2009. He was later demoted to ordinary member in 2015 after the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Chinese rights activist Liu Xiaobo, prompting outrage from China. His demotion was seen as a peace offering to Beijing.
During this time, Jagland was also serving as head of the Council of Europe – he completed two terms from 2009 to 2019. His critics at the time alleged he did not do enough to fight corruption and that he was overly friendly towards Russian President Vladimir Putin.
On Thursday this week, Norwegian police said it is investigating whether Jagland received gifts, loans and travel benefits while serving in those positions after emails between him and Epstein emerged in the released documents last Friday.
Authorities did not provide details as to whether Epstein or people in his network offered those benefits, but Pal K Lonseth, head of a special police economic crimes unit, Okokrim, told reporters that what was revealed in the files “provides a basis for investigating whether these are criminal offences”.
Several Norwegian publications have reported that the new files revealed plans Jagland made for a family visit to Epstein’s private Caribbean island in 2014, but say the trip was later cancelled.
Speaking to Norwegian state broadcaster NRK, Jagland’s lawyer Anders Brosveet denied the claims and said there was “no question” as to whether the politician received any benefits.
“Based on the information we have found so far, we believe it is quite simple to clarify that this is not a transfer of benefits,” he said.
Following the release of the Epstein files, Jagland stated via his lawyers that his contact with Epstein had been “unwise” and that he “never” related to Epstein around his private life or his “dealings with young girls”.
While Jagland enjoys immunity from criminal prosecution as a former Council of Europe head, the Norwegian police have asked the institution to revoke his protections.
US President Donald Trump gestures as he stands next to the President and CEO of the World Economic Forum Borge Brende, during the 56th annual World Economic Forum (WEF), in Davos, Switzerland, January 21, 2026 [Jonathan Ernst/Reuters]
Who is Borge Brende, and what do the Epstein files reveal about him?
Borge Brende, who was Norway’s foreign minister from 2013 to 2017, had several business dinners with Epstein and communicated with him via email and text message, according to evidence in these files.
Brende, 60, is the head of the World Economic Forum (WEF), which organises the annual business summit of the same name in Davos. He is part of Norway’s opposition Conservative Party.
The WEF said in a statement after last week’s revelations that a risk committee would probe communications between Brende and Epstein.
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Brende said he had only ever had limited contact with Epstein and that he had been unaware of his past or crimes.
He said he met Epstein in 2018 at a dinner and that the financier had been presented to him as an “American investor”.
“This gathering included several other leaders,” he said. “The following year, I attended two similar dinners with Epstein, alongside other diplomats and business leaders. These dinners, and a few mails and SMS messages, were the extent of my interactions with him,” he said.
Brende also said he regretted not doing more to look into Epstein’s history.
“I remain committed to learning from this experience and welcome the upcoming independent review, which I indeed requested,” he added.
What has the response been in Norway?
The revelations have prompted demands for further probes in parliament, which Jagland’s Labour Party dominates.
Foreign Affairs Minister Espen Barth Eide, also from Labour, said in a statement on Thursday that he had acted on a request from the police and reached out to the Council of Europe to remove Jagland’s immunity.
However, opposition parties, including the Conservative Party, which is the main opposition, are demanding that the government set up an independent investigation committee to probe the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“What everyone is questioning now is whether this is the tip of the iceberg. Whether this is a culture that exists at the top of Norwegian politics and the foreign service,” Sylvi Listhaug, head of the opposition Progress Party, said in parliament on Thursday, according to the NRK broadcaster.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, of the Labour Party, who has backed the police investigation, has, however, responded to the demand, saying an investigative committee is not “the right instrument to shed light on the matter”, NRK reported.
Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Princess Ingrid Alexandra attend the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony at Oslo City Hall in Oslo, Norway, December 10, 2025 [Ole Berg-Rusten/NTB/via Reuters]
How is Crown Princess Mette-Marit linked to Epstein?
Meanwhile, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, 52, is also in the spotlight over her alleged close relationship with Epstein as documented by emails included in the files released by the US Justice Department.
Her friendship with Epstein was already known. The latest tranche of documents, however, provides a much clearer picture of the nature of her relationship with him, with hundreds of messages sent over several years.
They included a 2012 email from Mette-Marit to Epstein in which she asked him: “Is it inappropriate for a mother to suggest two naked women carrying a surfboard for my I5 yr old sons wallpaper?”
Epstein then replied, “Let them decide,” and advised that the mother should “stay out of it.”
In a separate email, Epstein told Mette-Marit he was in Paris “on my wife hunt” but that “i prefer Scandinavians.”
In response, Mette-Marit said Paris was “good for adultery” but that “Scandis” were “better wife material”.
In a statement following the documents’ release, the crown princess said she felt “deep sympathy and solidarity” with the girls abused by Epstein.
She said she took responsibility for “not having investigated Epstein’s background more thoroughly” and also expressed regret for “having had any contact with Epstein at all. It is simply embarrassing.”
Separately, Mette-Marit’s eldest son, Marius Borg Hoiby, 29, whom she had referred to in her emails to Epstein, appeared in court this week on multiple charges, including rape and domestic violence.
He denied charges of rape and filming people without their consent in court on Wednesday, but admitted to transporting drugs and speeding while driving.
Hoiby was first arrested in August 2024 on suspicion of assault. His trial will continue until March.
Amongst the evidence against him, police say, are incriminating videos stored on his phone, including one that allegedly shows him assaulting a woman who was incapacitated at his parents’ Skaugum estate, west of Oslo, in December 2018. He is alleged to have raped four women.
Hoiby holds no royal title. He was born when Mette-Marit, a non-royal, was in a relationship before her 2001 marriage to the heir, Prince Haakon. He has previously spoken about mental health issues and a struggle with substance abuse.
ZEE Samvad with Real Heroes 2026: The fourth edition of the Zee Real Heroes Awards was held at Fairmont Mumbai. The event recognised and felicitated dignitaries for their immense contribution to innovation, business, healthcare, entertainment and arts.
The daylong event celebrated the ‘Real Heroes of India’ who have made an unparalleled impact on society. The event will bring together thought leaders, achievers, policymakers, and members of the media fraternity, fostering meaningful dialogue through the Samvad segment.
Sharing their excitement and gratitude for being part of Zee Real Heroes Awards 2026 event,
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Sonu Sood reflects on how the meaning of a “hero” changes with time
During a conversation with host Gul Panag, Sonu Sood, who carried out extensive humanitarian work during the COVID-19 pandemic, shared his understanding of what the term “hero” means to him. Reflecting on how the idea of a hero evolves over time, he said, “Mujhe lagta hai ki hero ek asia shbd hai jise hum sunkar bade hue hai, kayi baar film ke heroes hume acche lagte the, phir parents hume hero lagte the, humare father, mother and teachers hume heroes lagte the, humari zindagi me vo raasta dikhate hai jo shyd hume pata nhi rehta, lekin samaye ke saath jo hume unse seekha vo hume bade hokr pata chalta hai ki uske mayine kya the.”
Recalling his childhood and the values instilled by his father, Sonu spoke about growing up around acts of kindness and service. He shared, “Mujhe yaad hai ki mere father ki ek kapde ki shop thi aur hamesha shop ke bahar langar lagta tha, toh hum bhi bachpan me khade hote the, hum bhi baatte rehte the aur jbb hum dete the toh unko itni Khushi hoti thi jinko milta tha, vo bolte the ki ek puri aur de do, humne ek aur de diya toh vo bhout khush ho jata tha toh uss samaya lagta tha ki yrr kya khaas farak pada na ek extra puri dene se. Aaj vo mehsoos hota hai ki jab aap kisi anjaan insaan ki zindagi me judte ho, uski umeed bant ho fir aapko apke jeevan me Parivartan aata hai, uske bhout maayine rkhte hai. Toh mujhe lagta hai ki mere liye mere teachers, parents, vo ek kamaal ke heros rahe hai.”
Sonu Sood on joining Politics
When asked about the possibility of entering politics, Sonu shared his thoughts with clarity and honesty. He explained, “Dekhiye politician log bhout kamaal ka kaam krte hai, vo duniya alag hai, phir ek ye hota hai na ki aap uss duniya me kadam rkhe fir aap puri Tarah uss me ghus jaye. Aisa nahi hai ki mujhe political offers nahi aaye hai, sab states se aaye hai, acche acche audhe bhi offer hue hai prr mujhe ye laga ki shyd mai pura samaya na de pau, jo mujhe kursi di jayegi uske liye. Toh fir mai ek Actor jo humesha ek Actor hi rehta hai, toh abhi bhi actor jo zinda hai usko jeena zaruri hai, aur jo aap kaam kar rahe hai vo toh aap karte hi rahenge.”
He further added, “So I don’t have anything in case joining politics, but mujhe lagta hai ki samaye hai aur abhi jo kar paa raha hu I’m happy in that space too,” emphasising that while he is open-minded about the future, he is currently content continuing his work as an actor and humanitarian.
Sonu Sood talks about the Ghaziabad minor sisters’ suicide case
Talking about it, Sonu said, “Kuch samaya Pehle maine yeh mudda uthaya tha, kuyki ek age, like 14 years to 16 years se kum age ki bacche hai unko social media allowed nahi hona chahiye istemaal krna. Australia me aisa hua, Andhra Pradesh me they are taking their step, Goa me iske baare me vichaar chal raha tha. Abb log bolte hai arrey padhai kaise kare, Padhai ke liye technology zaruri hai, not for social media. Ab soche ki aapke bacche yaha par baithe hote hai, kahi younger generation aapke saamne baithenge, unko vo phone chahiye hi chahiye. Jaise aapne Ghaziabaad vale case ka example di, mujhe lagta hai ki kahi na kahi parents zimmedaar hai, abhi hum peeche baithe isi baare me baat bhi kar rahe the, ki parents ne apni zindagi asaan krne ke liye ki ‘chalo mai aaj bahar jari hu shopping ke liye, ya fir mai you know apna kaam kar rahi hu ki kyu na baccho ko phone de de, so kahi na kahi na kahi, I would say not 90%, 100 % parents zimmedaar hai, agar vo apne baccho ko iski lat lagate hai. Aur def kahi na kahi aane vale kuch samaya ke andar sarkaar kuch ispr kadam uthayegi jiske karan ek section of age se jo kum bacche hai unko social media istemaal krne ki izazat nhi hogi.”
About Zee Real Heroes Awards
The Zee Real Heroes Awards bring together thought leaders, achievers, policymakers and members of the media fraternity. Through its Samvad segment, the event encourages dialogue on leadership in times of transformation, innovation, and the role of authentic storytelling in shaping a progressive India.
Over the years, Zee Real Heroes has honoured prominent personalities, including Ajay Devgn, Anupam Kher, Kartik Aaryan, Pankaj Tripathi, and trailblazers like Paralympian Navdeep Singh, along with several changemakers from across the country.
The initiative reflects Zee Media’s commitment to nation-building journalism by celebrating real stories of perseverance and achievement that continue to inspire the nation.
When news of Bangladesh’s withdrawal from the ICC T20 World Cup hit, I was at the India-Bangladesh border, chatting to a BSF jawan. He was on his usual six-or-eight hour standingp duty, leaning languidly against the bamboo railings that marked the end of Indian territory.
Indian cricket team during practice in Mumbai on Friday. (PTI)
After that bamboo barrier – referred to on signage as IB (International Border) – a 20-odd meter patch of no man’s land begins. Another bamboo railing then marks the start of Bangladeshi territory. A short distance from the BSF jawan, the IB, the no man’s land, is a Bangladesh border guard. He sat on a lounger under a beach umbrella, backed up to his bamboo railing IB. Like the BSF jawan, he too was keeping a languorous eye on his fellow citizens.
Ignoring the uniforms, the signage, the IB-officiousness of it all flowed a river, the Jaintias of Meghalaya call Wah Umngot. When it heads southwards on turning left, the Bangladeshis call it the Shari-Goyain. The two soldiers had to keep track of whether any of their cheeky citizens for the purpose of selfies, were accidently wandering over the unmarked IB while casually wading through this ‘trans-boundary’ river. You had to laugh.
In the light of what was happening thousands of miles away, it seemed the right place for a global cricket summit. During which the officials of India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, the ICC including those two lightweight “heavies” – Cricket Australia and ECB – were required to take a dip into the river’s emerald waters. Maybe then they would acquire the clarity and humility needed to understand what their 2026 T20 World Cup looked like from the outside.
ICC T20 World Cups have been – how do we say this nicely without offending people – more egalitarian, more welcoming than its 50-over version. We pay full respect to Field Marshal Fifty due to its four-yearly significance. But also are trying to fathom which other sport deliberately reduces its World Cup numbers in the 21st century down to 10? The T20 World Cups however have kept growing: 12 to 16 and now 20. Every edition has always resembled a wild scramble over three-odd weeks, containing the delicious possibility of outrageous results and breakthrough performances.
At these T20 World Cups, the cricketosphere – players, officials, media, fans – run into distant friends and frenemies exchanging info, gossip, contacts, big reveals, telephone numbers, secrets, truths and falsehoods. We start out by bitching and moaning but as the event zips ahead, always find ourselves silenced by its awesomeness. By the time it’s over, we’re tripping over our vocabularies in praise and celebration.
For fans of T20Is over franchise cricket – I fight to be top of that queue – it’s the variety of champions that has always kept the World T20 bubbling. In its nine editions, its turnover of champions – India, Pakistan, England, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Australia – has been too darn good. This tenth edition had promised to be a hoot, with its mad Associates combo of Nepal, Italy, and Oman adding a dash of the unexpected. Now every Indian remembers the 2024 edition as a balm for the 2023 finale. And that there is a great chance that Surya’s Superheroes become the first team to defend their T20 World Cup title.
There is also a wider view of this event: This is cricket’s last pre-LA Olympics T20 World Cup. Played in the format in which the sport will return to the Games in 2028 after 129 years. (The 2028 T20 World Cup will be held in Australia-NZ after the Olympics). With that in mind, there couldn’t have been a better advertisement of the scale, vibrancy and passion of the game and for the game for the non-cricket world than this World Cup.
Of the 20 participating nations, originally six were from South Asia, with a combined population of approximately 2 billion people. The recently-released World Cup song Feel The Thrill ft Anirudh, offers all the feels that World Cup promos are meant to. Enough cricket action, plenty of international sightings, a catchy beat, earworm lyrics, the song sounds more global than the 2023’s 50-over World Cup mush called Jashan Jashan Bole.
But look where we are now.
It’s in that Feel the Thrill video where you first spot it. The consequences of the weeks gone by. The visible, physical erasure of Bangladesh from the video. The vanishing of Mustafizur, Litton, Taskin, Tanzid, the team itself and their raucous fans, painted faces, bouncy, stuffed tigers et al. This is a World Cup which couldn’t sort out a problem for a full-member team, which had already qualified due to its top eight finish in 2024. Due to which, the sport’s second-largest country has said it will not play a group match against the world’s biggest and richest country, to hell with the consequences.
Cricket world cups, outside of their crickety-ness, have always meant to me, a large, patchworked picnic blanket spread out over our minds for a few weeks. On which everyone, players, officials, fans, viewers indulgently sprawl themselves, partaking of whichever element of the picnic that suits them. Going from 12 to 20-teams has meant that more fabric has been added onto the blanket, of more colour and varying textures.
It was at the 2022 T20 World Cup, that Indian and Pakistani fans were recorded outside the MCG dancing and singing (tunelessly) to a hit song Pasoori. There’s parts of Feel The Thrill I’m sure would get Indians and Pakistanis dancing. Bangladeshis could be convinced to join no doubt, and as my Lankan friend Fidel Fernando reminds me, “Please understand that there is no beat that a Lankan would NOT dance to.” But at the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, we’ll have none of that, thank you. There are rents in the fabric and adding on new bits after tossing aside older parts is not going to make it wholesome.
A little distance away from that trans-boundary river in Meghalaya, is an India-Bangladesh land border crossing. Its signage says India-Bangladesh Friendship Gate.
Two groups of people stand on either side of barricaded mile-markers, which have India painted on the side I can see and no doubt, Bangladesh on another. Trucks are crossing over on both sides. The people staring at each other are separated by at most 20 feet. We’re waving and calling out. “I’m a journalist – from Sylhet” a man yells. “I’m also a journalist – from Bangalore.” Rueful grins are shared. Before I can say, ‘so sorry about the cricket’, he’s moved on.
Our zaniest, most multi-coloured, patchwork-quilted of World Cups now stands diminished.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) directly blamed the BJP government for the tragic death of a young biker after falling into a pit dug on the road in Janakpuri. Drawing parallels with last month’s Noida incident, in which a software engineer died after falling into a drain, the AAP said the biker remained lying in the pit overnight and died after prolonged suffering.
The party said that despite the family contacting several police stations across Delhi, no help was provided, and launched a scathing attack on the BJP, describing it as a complete failure of governance.
Addressing X, AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal said: “This was not an accident; it was a murder. The BJP has learned nothing even from the Noida incident. Gross negligence and a completely irresponsible approach have now become the defining characteristic of BJP governments, and it is the common people who are paying the price. May God give strength to the family who lost their child due to the government’s negligence.”
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Addressing a press conference at the AAP headquarters on Friday, Delhi state president Saurabh Bhardwaj said the Janakpuri incident should be seen in the context of the recent Noida case. He said, “A few days ago, due to the negligence of the administration and the BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh government, an engineer died tragically in Noida.”
Drawing a parallel, AAP’s Delhi unit chief said that a similar incident has now happened in Delhi, where a bike rider died after falling into a pit dug on the road in Minister Ashish Sood’s Janakpuri assembly constituency. Describing the incident as extremely sad, he commented, “Both the minister’s hoardings and road potholes are well-known in Ashish Sood’s constituency.”
Saurabh Bhardwaj further said that on Friday night a 25-year-old youth was found fallen under one of these hoardings. He told that the youth was working in HDFC Rohini call centre.
AAP’s Delhi state president said, “The pit was present for some time and RWAs had repeatedly demanded that it be closed. However, BJP’s ‘lying minister’ Ashish Sood reached there on Friday morning only to make excuses. At such a time, he should have said that a fair investigation will be conducted. Instead, he said that he has already conducted the investigation himself.”
Pointing out the apparent conflict of interest, Saurabh Bhardwaj said that Ashish Sood is the minister of the concerned department. He said, “The administrative department of Delhi Jal Board is urban development and Ashish Sood is its minister. Later he said that the chief engineer will form a committee to investigate.”
He further added, “But when the minister had already announced that everything was in order, it meant that the boy himself must have been ‘mad’ to jump into the pit with his bike and die.”
AAP’s Delhi unit chief said the government’s response was like the Noida case, where it was claimed that the victim was drunk and drove his car into a pit, giving the administration an opportunity to shirk responsibility. “Now, here also an attempt is being made to prove that the boy himself jumped into the pit with his bike, as if he had removed all the barricades and decided to jump,” he said.
He said neighbors and friends of the victim searched for him throughout the night. “They said that barricades and curtains were put up only after the police arrived in the morning. At night, there was nothing like that, only one side was covered and the other was left open,” said Saurabh Bhardwaj, calling it the height of shamelessness that minister Ashish Sood, who visited the site, had already given a clean chit to the department and also claimed that an investigation would be conducted.
Saurabh Bhardwaj said that the allegations against Police Commissioner Satish Golcha and his department are even more serious. He said, “On Thursday, Delhi Police threatened action against those spreading ‘rumours’, but said AAP is not afraid of such warnings. He said Delhi Police had claimed in a press release that it also files false missing complaints, which is why the numbers appear higher.”
However, Saurabh Bhardwaj highlighted that the biker’s friends said that 25-year-old Kamal left his Rohini call center at 11:53 pm and reached Janakpuri, after which he called home and said he would reach within 15 minutes, indicating that his residence was nearby.
“When he did not turn up even after half an hour, the family became worried. His elderly father, brother and friends went to police stations looking for him, but no complaint was filed. His friends said they went to six different police stations during the night, but no FIR was registered. They went to Rohini, Palam, Sagarpur, Mangolpuri, Dabri and Janakpuri police stations, but were told that reports would be filed later at 11:00 am. Will go.”
Saurabh Bhardwaj said that this shows the shamelessness of the police force which was patting itself on the back on Thursday. He said that the police’s argument that ‘this happens every year’ is even more shameful.
He further said, “If so many minor girls go missing every year, it means the police were as incompetent last year as they are this year. Despite visiting six police stations, no report was filed. If a report was filed, the police should show it, because the victim’s family says no report was filed.”
The senior AAP leader said that the revelation made by the victim’s friends is extremely worrying. According to him, around seven people, including the victim’s father, brother and five friends, kept searching the Janakpuri District Center area after the police told them that Kamal’s last known location was there.
He said, “The police had shared a location with them but later removed it immediately. The police had the location because the victim’s phone was ringing. It is possible that he was still alive at that time. It is unlikely that someone would die immediately after falling into such a pit. He may have fallen, but his death is likely to have occurred several hours later.”
Saurabh Bhardwaj said that seven members of the family searched the area and said that they saw the pit at around 1 am, but neither Kamal nor his bike were there at that time. He said, “This raises a serious question for Police Commissioner Satish Golcha: When the parents and friends were searching throughout the night, Kamal was not there, yet in the morning they were told that he was found in the same pit.”
He questioned why CCTV footage has not surfaced till now. Referring to the Noida case, Saurabh Bhardwaj said that when a young man drowned there, the police tried to prove that he had consumed alcohol by extracting CCTV footage from a restaurant. “CCTV footage of a dead person was found there, but no footage has been released yet,” he said. He said the police were withholding the footage to hide the fact that there was no barricade.
Saurabh Bhardwaj said AAP demands that Union Home Minister Amit Shah ensure that CCTV footage of all PWD roads and traffic crossings, which are otherwise used for issuing challans, is immediately made public.
He questioned what the police were trying to hide, and asserted, “The demand is that CCTV footage of the area be released immediately so that the truth comes out. If that is not being done, it clearly indicates that something is being hidden.”
He also questioned BJP Minister Ashish Sood and told that this site in Janakpuri is located very close to his residence. He asked whether Ashish Sood or his family did not see such a big crater just 100 or 200 meters away. Saurabh Bhardwaj said that as the Urban Development Minister, Delhi Jal Board comes under Ashish Sood.
“They have put up hoardings everywhere, but did not pay attention to the pothole,” he said. He said that Ashish Sood will have to explain why he reached the site only to engage in damage control. Saurabh Bhardwaj further demanded that Delhi Police explain why a missing person’s report was not filed despite the victim’s family visiting six police stations, while Police Commissioner Satish Golcha had certified a day earlier that Delhi Police files all missing reports immediately.
Saurabh Bhardwaj asked, “If the claim is true then why was the victim’s report not filed on Thursday itself? Why is there no CCTV footage and why was the location deleted?” These are the questions that AAP has asked the BJP government and Delhi Police and Saurabh Bhardwaj said that these should be answered.
Taylor Swift has dropped the official music video of her single, Opalite. Fans can stream the song on Apple Music and on Spotify Premium. The fun and quirky video sees Taylor play a woman dating a large rock. Actor Domhnall Gleeson also stars in it, as a man dating a cactus! Taylor took to her X account to share how she came up with the idea of the video on the hugely popular The Graham Norton Show!
Taylor Swift with Domhnall Gleeson in the music video of Opalite.
How the idea of Opalite was born
Sharing pictures from the music video, in which Taylor was seen with Domhnall and host Graham Norton, Taylor began: “My favourite part about writing is that first spark of an idea. It can happen at any time, for any reason. The idea for the Opalite music video crash landed into my imagination when I was doing promo for The Life of a Showgirl. I was a guest on one of my favourite shows, @TheGNShow.”
She went on to detail, “For those of you who aren’t familiar, it’s a UK late-night show where Graham Norton (the insanely charismatic and lovable host) invites a random group of actors, entertainers, musicians, etc to be on his show and we all sit there and chat like it’s a dinner party. They even serve wine. Anyway.”
Talking about the episode, she went on to add, “I remember thinking I got ridiculously lucky with the group I was paired with. Cillian Murphy, Domhnall Gleeson, Greta Lee, Jodie Turner-Smith, and @LewisCapaldi.All people whose work I’ve admired from afar.”
‘Like a school group project but for adults’
Taylor further added, “When we were all talking during the broadcast, Domhnall made a light-hearted joke about wanting to be in one of my music videos. He’s Irish! He was joking! Except that in that moment during the interview, I was instantly struck with an *idea*. And so a week later, he received an email script I’d written for the Opalite video, where he was playing the starring role. I had this thought that it would be wild if all of our fellow guests on the Graham Norton show that night, including Graham himself, could be a part of it too. Like a school group project, but for adults, and it isn’t mandatory.”
Concluding the note, she said, “To my delight, everyone from the show made the effort to time-travel back to the 90s with us and help with this video. You might even recognise some friendly faces from The Eras Tour. I got to work with one of my favourite people in the world, Rodrigo Prieto, again! I had more fun than I ever imagined – made new friends, metaphors, and fashion choices. It was an absolute thrill to create this story and these characters. Shot on film. The Opalite video is out now on Spotify & Apple Music.”
Taylor Swift’s marketing team, Taylor Nation, confirmed that the video is available to watch on Spotify Premium and Apple Music. It will drop on YouTube on Sunday, February 8.
