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Internet reacts to Pakistani brand using Alia Bhatt`s AI images sans consent

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Internet reacts to Pakistani brand using Alia Bhatt`s AI images sans consent



Internet reacts to Pakistani brand using Alia Bhatt`s AI images sans consent

A controversy involving Alia Bhatt has sparked widespread debate online after a Pakistan-based fashion label allegedly used AI-generated images of the actor to promote its clothing collection without her consent. The incident quickly went viral, raising serious concerns about digital manipulation and the ethical use of celebrity likeness.

Alia Bhatt’s pictures used without her consent

The brand, identified as Wajayesha Official, shared a series of images on Instagram that appeared to show Alia modelling their latest “pure sheesha silk” outfits. The post featured the actor in multiple looks, ranging from rich burgundy and emerald tones to pastel shades and classic black. Alongside the images, the label wrote, “Even Alia Bhatt likes our pure sheesha silk collection!! Colour can be customised, book your order now,” implying an endorsement that did not actually exist.


Exclusive | Mini Mathur reacts to allegations that she took a dig at Alia Bhatt's hosting: I love Alia, it's all rubbish

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Exclusive | Mini Mathur reacts to allegations that she took a dig at Alia Bhatt's hosting: I love Alia, it's all rubbish


Did actor-host Mini Mathur take a dig at actor Alia Bhatt for her hosting stint at the recent SCREEN awards? The narrative has been spreading like wildfire on the internet, ever since a comment was left by Mini on a content creator’s Insta post.

Mini Mathur, Alia Bhatt
Mini Mathur, Alia Bhatt

The concerned video saw the content creator questioning why actors are asked to host award shows, taking Alia as an example. She also emphasised on the need for professional hosts, like how the West hires them for such events. On this, Mini, who has been a seasoned emcee, commented, “Thank you. Someone finally said it”.

However, when we reach out to Mini, she denies it outright, calling the speculation about shading Alia “rubbish”. She tells HT City, “To just create stories out of nothing is what the internet does. I will tell you why I commented… the creator had an interesting take on why award shows insist on using actors as hosts and then later complain about them falling short of their “expectations”. It is not their main skill set so why the expectations? It’s like asking a host to act at gunpoint. I only commented on that,” she says. As for the alleged beef with Alia, she continues, “It is all nonsense. I love Alia. On top of this, I have not even seen the show these people are talking about on the internet.”


EXCLUSIVE| The making of Aditya Dhar and Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar to release in theatres; more deets inside

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EXCLUSIVE| The making of Aditya Dhar and Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar to release in theatres; more deets inside


Filmmaker Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar (2025) and Dhurandhar The Revenge has broken several box office records and achieved new milestones in Indian cinema. Now, we have got to know that the film is set to get its hand on another first for the Indian film industry. HT City has exclusively learnt that the making of Dhurandhar will make its way to theatres, a first of its kind feat for any Indian film.

A still from Dhurandhar The Revenge
A still from Dhurandhar The Revenge

An insider source informs us, “The craze for Dhurandhar is so much that the makers have decided to turn even the making of the film into a spectacle. All the BTS footages and cast interviews together will be collated into a full-length feature film and will be unveiled as a theatrical release in the last quarter of 2026, and then eventually make it to the OTT platform as well on which the films will be streaming.”

The source further reveals the reason why the lead cast of the film isn’t doing any media interviews yet. “All the major players in the film including actors Ranveer Singh, Arjun Rampal, and even the director Aditya Dhar, are not doing any media interactions yet because their first interviews will be a part of this BTS film that will directly arrive in theatres. It is a first for any Indian film, and the makers are ensuring that no BTS footage goes out on social media before the release of the film,” the source adds.

Aditya has been sharing gratitude notes for his crew on social media for some time now, but interestingly, he has only been sharing pictures and not any videos. It is probably a hint that all the video footage of the film is being saved for now to be made part of the theatrical release of the film’s making.

We reached out to the team of Dhurandhar for a comment on the same, but received no response till the time of publishing.

More on Dhurandhar

Starring an ensemble cast of Ranveer Singh, Arjun Rampal, Akshaye Khanna, Sara Arjun, Rakesh Bedi, Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan and Danish Pandor among others, Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar became the highest grossing Indian film at the doemstic box office with over ₹800 crores collection. The sequel, Dhurandhar The Revenge, broke even that record, becoming the first Indian film to cross ₹1000 crore mark on the domestic box office itself. The film is still successfully running in theatres, with no signs of slowing down.


Why Negotiations With Iran Might Take a While

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Why Negotiations With Iran Might Take a While


The Iranians are notoriously slow negotiators. Our reporter David E. Sanger explains what the history of U.S.-Iran negotiations could mean for the latest round of talks.

By David E. Sanger, Alexandra Ostasiewicz, Nikolay Nikolov, Paul Abowd, Rafaela Balster and Jordan Gantz

April 21, 2026


Jack Quaid marries 'The Boys' co-star Claudia Doumit

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Jack Quaid marries 'The Boys' co-star Claudia Doumit


Jack Quaid marries 'The Boys' co-star Claudia Doumit in an intimate ceremony in Australia; Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan attend - PICS

‘The Boys’ stars Jack Quaid and Claudia Doumit are officially married!Jack, the son of Hollywood stars Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan, reportedly tied the knot with Claudia in a private ceremony in Australia. News of their wedding was first posted by the Daily Telegraph. As per the report, the couple tied the knot on Saturday at Mona Farm in Braidwood. The couple wed in an intimate celebration attended by close family and friends.Celebs attend Jack and Claudia’s weddingQuaid’s parents, who divorced in 2001 after a decade of marriage, were also in attendance at the wedding, along with Hollywood actors like Alec Baldwin, Tom Hanks, Kevin Costner and Henry Golding. Also joining the celebrations were ‘The Boys’ costars Karl Urban, Colby Minifie and Nathan Mitchell, along with actress Emily Browning and director Eddie O’Keefe.Bride and Groom stun in leaked wedding picsIn photos that were posted online by their guests and later deleted, Doumit was seen in an off-white satin wedding dress with a ruffled skirt and a matching floral headband. Jack, on the other hand, wore a Western-style red blazer with gold embroidery, as seen in images posted by news.com.au.The newlyweds are said to have shared their first dance to the song “Atlantis” by Donovan.First photos from wedding go viralLocal restaurant Smokey Horse Nepalese also shared glimpses from the wedding weekend on Instagram, posting photos of the couple alongside guests and a post that read, “Big congratulations to the newlyweds @jack_quaid and @claudiadoumit, what a beautiful couple you two make, we wish you boundless happiness and good fortune in the days ahead!!! It was an absolute pleasure to host you guys at ole #SmokeyHorse, and we trust your family and friends enjoyed their stay here in our beloved little hometown? … From #Hollywood to #Braidwood, #GiddyUp!!!”About Jack and Claudia’s roles in ‘The Boys’Quaid and Doumit began dating in 2022, after co-starring in ‘The Boys’. While Quaid played the role of Hughie Campbell, and Doumit played the role of Victoria Neuman. However, she exited the Prime Video series in 2024 after her character was killed off in the Season 4 finale.


Moody’s cuts India FY27 growth forecast to 6%, cites energy shocks and weaker consumption

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Moody’s cuts India FY27 growth forecast to 6%, cites energy shocks and weaker consumption


Moody’s cuts India FY27 growth forecast to 6%, cites energy shocks and weaker consumption

Moody’s Ratings has lowered India’s FY27 growth forecast to 6%, down from an earlier estimate of 6.8%, citing weaker consumer demand and slower industrial performance amid rising energy and input costs linked to the West Asia conflict.For FY26, the agency expects India’s GDP growth to be 7.6%, according to official estimates, as reported by ET.The report said higher energy prices are likely to increase import bills, weigh on economic expansion and raise pressure on government finances due to higher fuel and fertiliser subsidy spending. It also highlighted that the West Asia situation is adding strain on production networks and supply chains.“The country’s high dependence on Middle Eastern oil and gas imports raises near-term supply-disruption risks, although strategic petroleum reserves and commercial inventories will mitigate economic disruption over the next few months,” the report said, as cited by ET.Moody’s also flagged concerns over India’s reliance on the region for nitrogen-based fertilisers such as urea and ammonia, noting that any disruption in supply could drive up prices and pose risks to agricultural output and food security.The agency said persistent high energy costs could widen the trade deficit, slow growth and add to fiscal stress. It added that inflationary pressures and external account balances could also deteriorate if the situation continues.Oil marketing companies and energy-intensive sectors such as cement, chemicals and aviation are expected to face margin pressure due to limited ability to pass on higher input costs. In contrast, infrastructure and utility firms are seen as more stable, supported by regulated returns, access to domestic fuel sources and policy backing.Moody’s noted that continued infrastructure spending by the government and gradual easing of trade barriers will help support investment activity. It also said strong foreign exchange reserves and services exports will provide a buffer against external shocks.On external risks, the agency warned that prolonged instability in Gulf Cooperation Council countries could weaken remittance inflows. Combined with a larger trade deficit, this may put pressure on India’s current account and the rupee, potentially requiring central bank intervention. The Middle East accounts for more than one-third of India’s remittance inflows.Despite these challenges, Moody’s said India’s external position remains broadly steady, supported by robust foreign exchange reserves, low external debt and limited reliance on external financing.


David Dhawan to retire after Hai Jawaani Toh Ishq Hona Hai?

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David Dhawan to retire after Hai Jawaani Toh Ishq Hona Hai?



David Dhawan to retire after Hai Jawaani Toh Ishq Hona Hai?

Veteran director David Dhawan heaped praise on his son and actor Varun Dhawan while speaking about their collaboration in Hai Jawaani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, highlighting their strong bond and mutual respect, even as he hinted that this could be his final directorial venture.

In a conversation with ANI, the ace director talked about their relationship while working on the film, saying that the two share mutual respect both on and off screen.


Varun Dhawan's Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai is David Dhawan's last film? Director hints at retirement

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Varun Dhawan's Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai is David Dhawan's last film? Director hints at retirement


Over the years, Bollywood filmmaker David Dhawan has entertained audiences with his comedy films, and he is once again back with another romantic comedy, titled Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai. The film marks his fourth collaboration with his son Varun Dhawan. In a recent interview with ANI, David hinted at a possible retirement after this film.

Varun Dhawan with his father, filmmaker David Dhawan.
Varun Dhawan with his father, filmmaker David Dhawan.

David Dhawan hints at retirement after Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai

David spoke about how he and his son now share a strong understanding and said, “A director always wants a good actor, that’s the first priority. Meri uski tuning ho gayi… ye bhi nahi ghar ka bacha hai karega hi… vo bhi question karega hi, hak hai uska… 13–14 film kar chuka hai (He’s not just my son; he questions, he understands, and he has already done 13–14 films)… but we get along really well aur maine kaha jab tak bana raha hu to bete ke saath ek do picture chalti rahe acha hai (I said that as long as I am making films, it’s good to do one or two with my son).”

He added that their understanding helps them collaborate smoothly. He further revealed that he really liked Varun’s work in Border 2. Describing his role as emotional and moving, the filmmaker shared that his son made them laugh and cry with his performance.

In a candid revelation, the filmmaker hinted that Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai could be his final directorial venture. “I don’t think I should do more. Vo to chahta hi nahi main kaam bhi karu healthwise dekhkar (Varun doesn’t want me to work, considering my health). This might be my last film… after this, I’ll just be Varun’s father. I will look after you… look after your family. Main ghusunga nahi Varun ki picture main (I won’t be involved in his picture), but I’ll be there with him all the time.”

David also revealed that he had a health scare during the film’s shooting and was hospitalised. He shared that Varun took great care of him during that time and described him as a complete family man. Prior to this, Varun and David have collaborated on films like Main Tera Hero, Judwaa 2, and Coolie No. 1.

About Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai

Helmed by David Dhawan and produced by Ramesh Taurani, the film also stars Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde in lead roles, along with Rakesh Bedi, Rajesh Kumar, Mouni Roy, and Maniesh Paul, among others. The film was initially slated to release on June 4 but was postponed to July 12 to avoid a clash with Yash’s Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups. It is now scheduled to release in theatres on May 22.


Pro-Palestine legal aid requests stay high in 2025 amid US campus pressure | Donald Trump News

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Pro-Palestine legal aid requests stay high in 2025 amid US campus pressure | Donald Trump News


Washington, DC – Requests for legal support related to pro-Palestine advocacy remained high in the United States last year, as President Donald Trump threatened activists and universities with penalties.

In an annual report released on Tuesday, Palestine Legal, an organisation that “supports the movement for Palestinian freedom in the US”, said it received 1,131 queries for legal support in 2025.

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The figure is below the record 2,184 requests the group received in 2024, when pro-Palestine protests swept US campuses — and were regularly met with crackdowns from both school administrators and law enforcement.

Despite universities enacting new restrictions on protests across the country, the figures from 2025 show that pro-Palestine advocacy has persisted, according to Dima Khalidi, the executive director of Palestine Legal.

“Our 2025 year-end report shows that while universities have largely cowered and caved to coercive pressure from the Trump administration and its pro-Israel supporters, student activists for Palestinian and collective freedom remain a model of moral conviction and courage,” Khalidi said.

“Even when facing punitive consequences for speaking out, they are holding the line of dissent against injustice from the US to Palestine, because they understand the cost of surrender for all of us.”

Palestine Legal said that the “overwhelming majority of requests” for legal support came from university students and faculty in 2025, but a growing number, 122, were categorised as “immigration and border-related”.

The group received 851 requests from people or organisations targeted for their Palestine-related advocacy, as well as 280 more asking for legal guidance on conducting advocacy.

Despite the drop from 2024, the rate of complaints last year remained 300 percent higher than in 2022, the year before Israel began its genocidal war in Gaza on October 7, 2023.

Since then, at least 72,560 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza.

Pressure campaigns

In 2024, Trump campaigned for a second term in the White House in part on a pledge to crack down on the pro-Palestinian protest movement, which sought to shine a light on the human rights abuses unfolding during the war.

He has framed such protests as anti-Semitic, and since his inauguration in 2025, he has led a campaign to penalise schools that played host to pro-Palestinian activism.

To date, five universities have struck deals with Trump after he threatened to withhold billions in federal funding. They include Columbia University, where a pro-Palestine encampment and resulting police crackdown drew international attention.

Columbia eventually reached a $200m settlement with the Trump administration and moved to make several policy changes it said were aimed at combatting anti-Semitism.

Rights groups have condemned such policies as conflating pro-Palestine advocacy with anti-Jewish sentiment. They also warn that Trump’s actions risk dampening free speech, a protected right under the First Amendment of the US Constitution.

All told, nearly 80 of the students who took part in Columbia’s protests faced serious academic discipline, including expulsions, suspensions, and degree revocations, as of July 2025.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration used immigration enforcement to target pro-Palestine protesters and advocates, including scholars like Rumeysa Ozturk, Mohsen Mahdawi, Badar Khan Suri and Mahmoud Khalil.

To date, the deportation proceedings against Ozturk, who was in the US on a student visa, and Mahdawi, a US permanent resident detained at his citizenship hearing, have been abandoned.

Ozturk has since voluntarily returned to her native Turkiye after completing her doctoral studies at Tufts University.

The government is still proceeding with deportation efforts against Khan Suri, a Georgetown University researcher, and Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and permanent US resident.

Separately, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) raided five homes connected to pro-Palestine activists at the University of Michigan in April 2025, sparking outrage. Federal authorities seized properties, but no arrests were made.

Despite the restrictive climate across the country, Palestine Legal hailed a string of legal victories in 2025 that upheld the right to pro-Palestinian protest.

Last August, for instance, a federal court dismissed a complaint that sought to penalise UNRWA USA, a non-profit that supports the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), under the Antiterrorism Act of 1990.

A separate lawsuit launched by Palestine Legal and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) charged that the University of Maryland had tread on the free speech rights of students by banning Students for Justice in Palestine (UMD SJP). That case resulted in a $100,000 settlement.

Meanwhile, federal judges have sided with Harvard University and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), in their challenges to the Trump administration’s defunding efforts.

“The fights that Palestine Legal and our partners have waged affirm that the Trump administration, universities, and Israel advocacy groups cannot, without consequence, run roughshod over growing demands to respect and protect Palestinian rights,” Palestine Legal said at the conclusion of its report.

“The developments throughout 2025 made crystal clear that if we allow our right to stand for Palestinian freedom to be trampled, all of our fundamental rights will be in jeopardy in the face of an authoritarian slide.”


Kalki Koechlin on Earth Day: Change Starts With Simple Choices

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Kalki Koechlin on Earth Day: Change Starts With Simple Choices


On Earth Day, actor Kalki Koechlin reflects on her deep-rooted commitment to sustainable living, the small choices that shape a greener future, and the importance of leading by example in an increasingly fragile world. “Every day should be Earth Day for us,” she says, underlining how the idea goes far beyond symbolic celebration. “It’s really about the small, consistent choices we make in our daily lives—how we consume, what we throw away, and how mindful we are of our impact on the planet.”

Kalki Koechlin
Kalki Koechlin

She adds, “When I travel, I try to make mindful choices, like choosing homestays instead of big hotel properties. It’s not just more sustainable, but it also supports local communities and reduces the kind of large-scale impact that bigger establishments can have.”

While conversations around climate change have grown louder, she points out the gap between intent and action. “People are talking more, which is great, but awareness has to translate into action. The real work is in what you do every day.” When asked what she wishes would change, the actor says, “We need to have the right people in the right positions. For instance, when it comes to the environment, you need scientists and people who really understand these issues to be part of decision-making. They’re the ones who have the knowledge, and their voices should be leading these conversations.”

On whether social media plays an important role in spreading her voice to the masses, Kalki draws a clear line between expression and effort. “Social media can help spread awareness, but it’s not enough to just post about issues,” she says. “What matters is what you’re actually doing beyond that. Your daily habits are what really make a difference.”

The 42-year-old adds that her own efforts are rooted in small, practical steps. “I’ve done simple things like making and distributing cloth bags to reduce plastic use. It’s a simple thing, but it starts conversations and nudges people to think about alternatives. These small actions may seem insignificant, but collectively they can create impact.”

She further elaborates, “If I’m speaking about sustainable living, it’s because I’m trying to follow it myself. Otherwise, it doesn’t hold value.” Not only Kalki, but her daughter Sappho, 6, is also a huge supporter of sustainable living just like her mom. Kalki expresses how motherhood has further deepened her commitment. “When children grow up seeing certain habits, they absorb them naturally. Simple things like not wasting, reusing items, or being close to nature—these become a part of their thinking without forcing it,” she shares.

“We’ve also made simple toys and little cartoon-like figures using things lying around the house, birdhouses, and so much more. We use whatever is available, and she really enjoys that process. She’s made little designs on leaves and creates her own small, playful things—it’s very instinctive for her. It becomes a fun activity, but at the same time, she’s learning that you don’t always need to buy something new—you can make it.” Kalki notes that these small, creative exercises help build a natural connection with the environment. “Sappho loves the idea of sustainable living. When children are involved in making things, they value them more. And they start understanding the idea of reuse and not wasting without it being forced on them.”

Looking at the larger picture, Kalki hopes for a more conscious collective shift. “We need to take responsibility as individuals. It’s not just on governments or big organisations—real change happens when people start making different choices in their own lives.”

The actor is quick to bust the myth about sustainable living, calling it a better way of living and not an expensive one. “In many ways, sustainable living is actually about reducing consumption, which saves money. It’s not about buying expensive ‘eco’ products—it’s about reusing what you already have and being mindful. It’s really a shift in mindset.” Sharing her final thought, she says, “Start small, but stay consistent. Because if more of us begin to act, even in small ways, it can lead to a much larger change.”