Actor Preity Zinta’s team is having a dream run in the Indian Premier League (IPL) this season. Her team, Punjab Kings (PBKS), led by Shreyas Iyer, delivered a majestic batting performance against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Sunday evening. While her team shone on the field, the actress had a reunion with one of her Bollywood co-stars in the stands. She was spotted with actor Arjun Rampal, who is currently riding high on the success of Dhurandhar.
Preity Zinta and Arjun Rampal’s reunion evokes nostalgia
Arjun Rampal was seen seated with Zinta, supporting and cheering for her team. He wore a red polo T-shirt, matching the team’s colours. Their appearance together sparked a wave of nostalgia, as the actors had shared screen space in the film Dil Hai Tumhaara. Many fans shared then-and-now collages of the duo, revisiting memories of the 2002 film.
A few kilometres away in Kolkata’s port area, another BJP candidate, Rakesh Singh, stages a similar spectacle. Dressed for effect and flanked by party workers, he hoists a fish repeatedly as he moves through early-morning crowds, taking on the city’s mayor Firhad Hakim in one of the state’s high-profile contests.
A short video from the recent trailer launch of Ginny Weds Sunny 2 has set social media abuzz, with many viewers assuming that veteran actor Sudhir Pandey walked off stage following an uncomfortable moment. The clip quickly led to speculation about a possible disagreement or lack of respect from the film’s team.However, Pandey has now addressed the chatter, making it clear that the situation was far from what it appeared online.Setting the record straight, the actor dismissed all rumours of any awkwardness at the event.“There was nothing like being disrespected. I was launching the trailer with the team, I wanted to be there. I went to the stage with everyone, and was sitting in the front row before that. Whoever has shot this video may not have noticed that. When the announcement was made, I went up with everyone,” he told Hindustan Times.
‘The reason you see me walking off…’
According to Pandey, the now-viral moment has been taken out of context. He explained that his early exit was purely due to prior work commitments.“The problem was I was in great urgency, because my shoot for another project is going on. So, I came to attend this trailer launch in the middle of the shoot. In fact, I had told the production house for Ginny… that I will come with a little urgency. The reason you see me walking off is going to the other shoot, I was getting messages,” he said.
‘I have a fantastic role in GWS 2’
Despite his packed schedule, Pandey emphasised that he made a conscious effort to attend the launch, underlining his commitment to the film.“I have a fantastic role in GWS 2 and it’s a good film. That’s why I got permission from the other film’s team. I am thankful to them for allowing it.”
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Viral clip takes on a life of its own
The actor admitted that he was initially unaware of the online discourse and only discovered it later through social media reactions.“I didn’t even know what happened, I saw later on social media. The kind of reactions I have received from concerned people. I suddenly feel that yes, people have noticed my work and I am quite relevant in their memory.”
‘It has been 50 years’
The renewed attention has also brought focus back to Pandey’s long career, with memorable work in shows like Buniyaad and films such as Tees Maar Khan and Toilet: Ek Prem Katha.Reflecting on his journey, he said, “There has been no secret. I have been very sincere to my work. I came to this industry in 1976. It has been 50 years.”Even today, his approach remains unchanged.“Even today in 2026, I keep working with the same passion. I will not say that I did a lot of work, but whatever I did, I did it very honestly. It was registered.”
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The Universe of “Patis” a.k.a. “Pativerse” Is Back with Triple The Trouble and Chaos
The makers of Pati Patni Aur Woh Do, T-Series and B R Studios have dropped the teaser of their much-anticipated comedy drama, promising a rollercoaster of laughter, confusion, and full-blown chaos.
Pati Patni Aur Woh Do teaser out
Revisiting the classic drama of the ‘pati-patni-aur-woh’ dynamic, the teaser of Pati Patni Aur Woh Do serves a nostalgic dive into the universe of “patis” a.k.a. “pativerse”, leading to the introduction of the latest film with a new twist. Ayushmann Khurrana leads the madness as the hilariously flustered Prajapati Pandey, whose life quickly unravels when he finds himself caught between not one, not two, but three women, played by Sara Ali Khan, Wamiqa Gabbi, and Rakul Preet Singh. As the confusion snowballs into an all-out comedy of errors, Vijay Raaz enters as a cop, dialling up the chaos even further.
More about Pati Patni Aur Woh Do
The film was slated to release on March 3, but the makers officially announced that it has been postponed to May 15. As per reports, the shoot of a song had not been completed, and post-production work was remaining.
On April 8, Rakul shared an update on social media, revealing that she has commenced the dubbing for Pati Patni Aur Woh Do. She took to the stories section of her official Instagram handle and posted a photo of herself from the dubbing session.
In February, Rakul gave users an exciting glimpse of her rehearsal for one of the songs from the drama. Her story on Instagram had her getting ready to practise those graceful moves with her choreographer, while an upbeat number played as the background score.
The text, along with the still, went like this, “Jab `woh` do ho jaaye…tab asli story shuru hoti hai…Dubbing for Pati Patni Aur Woh Do (sic)”.
Gulshan Kumar, B R Chopra and T-Series present, a T-Series Films and B R Studios Production, Pati Patni Aur Woh Do, directed by Mudassar Aziz, produced by Bhushan Kumar, Renu Ravi Chopra, and Krishan Kumar and creatively produced by Juno Chopra. Mark your calendars for a joyride of emotions all set to hit the big screen on 15th May 2026.
Indian workers are putting in fewer hours weekly compared to pre-pandemic levels, with self-employed individuals seeing the steepest decline. This trend, alongside modest real earnings growth, suggests lower aggregate demand and a recovery driven by a select few. Women’s increased labor force participation, particularly in rural agriculture, indicates distress-led employment.
NEW DELHI: Indian workers put in fewer working hours in a week in 2025 than they did prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, data analysed from the latest Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) showed.Weekly working hours for self-employed people, which consist of own-account workers and helpers in household enterprises and constitute nearly 56% of the workforce, have seen the steepest decline to 39.6 hours in Jan 2025–Dec 2025 from 46.6 hours in the July 2018–June 2019 period. Casual and salaried workers also saw their weekly working hours decline during this period to 41.2 hours and 48.8 hours from 43.1 hours and 50.2 hours, respectively. Experts said the decline in working hours reflects lower aggregate demand in the economy following the pandemic, with recent recovery being driven by a small section of highearning individuals and large enterprises.Amit Basole, professor at Azim Premji University, said that a vast number of own-account enterprises have suffered a decline in demand in recent years, leading to low earnings, so they have no incentive to work longer hours. “It’s a self-feeding loop. If we look at casual workers too, they are not finding many takers for their services either. This reflects that the recovery in the labour market is not along the lines suggested by the headline unemployment rate, which signals a steady decline,” he said. Data on real monthly earnings showed that a self-employed individual earned Rs 7,617 in 2025, slightly up from Rs 7,336 in the 2018–19 period. Real monthly earnings for a salaried worker stood at Rs 11,634, up from Rs 11,289 during the same time, whereas daily real earnings for a casual worker rose to Rs 232 from Rs 198.
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Disaggregated data showed that both men and women have seen a decline in their weekly working hours. Men worked 45.9 hours in 2025, down from 48.9 hours in 2018–19, while women worked 34.1 hours, down from 39.4 hours.Women in rural areas have seen the highest decline to 32.6 hours in 2025 from 38.2 hours in 2018–19, even as their labour force participation rate (LFPR), which reflects their willingness to work, has nearly doubled to 34.6% in 2025 from 18.2% in the July 2017–June 2018 period.Labour economist Santosh Mehrotra said that this rise in female LFPR in the aftermath of Covid-19 is primarily driven by their engagement in agriculture. According to Mehrotra, this is a sign of distress-led employment, as they are being forced to work to augment household income rather than finding jobs based on their skills.
Veteran actor Mumtaz has expressed deep emotion over the fate of Rajesh Khanna’s iconic bungalow, Aashirwad, calling it a “monument” and admitting that its loss still affects her.In a recent chat with Vickey Lalwani, Mumtaz spoke about her close bond with Khanna, her frequent visits to the bungalow, and the memories attached to it.
‘This was my hero’s house’
Recalling Aashirwad, Mumtaz said the place still holds immense emotional value for her.“It did hurt me. Even today, when I see that building, I say, ‘This was my hero’s house.’”She added, “It was such a big landmark—it was like a monument.”Mumtaz revealed that her own residence, which she bought from Meena Kumari, was located very close to Aashirwad.“The house we stay in on Carter Road—that was Meena Kumari’s. It was very close to Rajesh Khanna’s bungalow. I used to go there very often.”She fondly remembered the warmth she received from Khanna and his then partner Anju Mahendru.“When Anju was with him, she would call me over and make me sit. Even when I got engaged to Mayur, I would take him along.”“Kaka and Anju would take such good care of us—‘Have this, eat that.’ People in the film industry are very large-hearted.”
‘That was the dream—to turn it into a museum’
Speaking about what happened to the bungalow, Mumtaz said she had heard about plans to preserve it.“That was the dream—that it would become a museum after his passing. But after he passed away, I don’t know why it was sold.”She refrained from speculating further.“I heard there were some internal issues, but I don’t know the details. When you don’t know the truth, you shouldn’t comment.”Calling herself deeply emotional, Mumtaz said her bonds in the industry have always been lasting.“I’m a very emotional person. When I love someone or become friends, it’s forever. I was very close to Anju and Kaka.”
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‘I knew he would come late, but finish his work’
Alongside personal memories, Mumtaz also opened up about working with Rajesh Khanna on set, including his well-known habit of arriving late.“No, because he would come and complete his work. With Rajesh Khanna, we had an understanding. I knew he would come late, but he would finish his work.” She added that she adapted her schedule accordingly.“Yes, we had arguments sometimes. But I adjusted a lot. The director would take my solo shots first. I would even ask, ‘Should I perform this at a high pitch or low?’ and do it accordingly.”“Then when he came, we would do the combined shots. After that, my pack-up was done. I used to tell him, ‘My close-ups are done, you do your part now. You came late—I’m leaving.’”
Stand-up comedian Samay Raina recently opened up about the severe financial and emotional toll he faced following the controversy surrounding his show India’s Got Latent. In a candid conversation, he revealed how the backlash not only impacted his professional life but also left him fearing a complete financial collapse something he compared to the struggles once faced by Amitabh Bachchan.
Samay Raina recalls fearing bankruptcy
Recalling the aftermath of the controversy, Raina said he “lost everything” almost overnight. Several upcoming episodes of his show were scrapped as collaborators grew hesitant, and sponsors began pulling out. “People were scared and didn’t want their episode to be uploaded. I lost the sponsors of those episodes,” he shared, explaining how the sudden withdrawal created a domino effect on his finances.
Singer faces first-degree murder and additional charges that could lead to life without parole or the death penalty.
Singer D4vd has been charged in the United States with murder in the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a 14-year-old girl who was last seen alive nearly a year ago.
The 21-year-old musician, whose legal name is David Burke, faces first-degree murder and additional charges, including lewd acts with a minor and mutilation of a body. D4vd pleaded not guilty on Monday.
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The prosecutor said Rivas Hernandez’s dismembered and decomposed body was discovered in September inside an apparently abandoned Tesla linked to the singer.
Authorities said the case includes special circumstances – lying in wait, committing crime for financial gain and the alleged killing of the witness in an investigation – making Burke eligible for life without parole or the death penalty.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said prosecutors would decide later whether to seek the death penalty.
Burke was arrested at a home in Hollywood on Thursday and was being held without bail.
The witness he is alleged to have killed is Rivas Hernandez, who could have given testimony about the sex crime allegations.
Rivas Hernandez had disappeared in 2024, when she was 13. That was her age when, according to an allegation in a criminal complaint, the singer engaged in continuous sexual abuse of her for at least a year from September 2023 to September 2024.
Hochman said authorities believed the girl went to D4vd’s Hollywood Hills home on April 23, 2025, and “was never heard from again”.
Burke’s lawyers said on Monday that the evidence would show he is innocent.
“The actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and he was not the cause of her death,” they said. “We will vigorously defend David’s innocence.”
Court documents outline secret probe
The singer had been under investigation by a Los Angeles County grand jury looking into the death.
The probe was officially secret, but its existence, and his designation as its target, was revealed in February when his mother, father and brother objected in a Texas court to subpoenas demanding they testify.
The 2023 Tesla Model Y was registered in the singer’s name at their address, according to court filings. Authorities did not publicly acknowledge him as a suspect until his arrest.
Police investigators searching the Tesla in a tow yard found a cadaver bag “covered with insects and a strong odor of decay”, court documents said.
Detectives partially unzipped a bag and found a head and torso.
Investigators from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office removed the bag and “discovered the arms and legs had been severed from the body”, according to court documents.
A second black bag was found under the first, and dismembered body parts were inside it. No cause of death has been publicly revealed, and police got a judge to block the release of details of the autopsy.
The court order was expected to be lifted after the charges.
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell walks past an image of Celeste Rivas Hernandez [Damian Dovarganes/AP]
Rising to fame
D4vd gained popularity among Gen Z for his blend of indie rock, R&B and lo-fi pop. He went viral on TikTok in 2022 with the hit Romantic Homicide, which peaked at number 4 on Billboard’s Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart.
He then signed with Darkroom and Interscope Records, and released his debut EP, Petals to Thorns and a follow-up, The Lost Petals, in 2023.
When the body was discovered, the singer continued his North American tour, but when reports of his possible involvement spread widely, he cancelled the final two shows and a European tour that was to follow.
In March, Shark Tank India judge, entrepreneur and Emcure Pharmaceuticals Executive Director Namita Thapar shared a video explaining the health benefits of namaz. The post sparked backlash online, and Namita has now addressed the criticism, revealing that she has been facing abuse for the past three weeks while also clarifying her stance.
Shark Tank India’s Namita Thapar hits back at trolls abusing her for making video on health benefits of Namaz.
Namita Thapar hits back at trolls abusing her for video on health benefits of Namaz
On Monday, Namita took to X and shared a video addressing the hate towards her Namaz video. She said, “Peeche teen hafte se mujhe log r***i bula rahe hain non stop aur meri darling mom ko bhi gande gande naam de rahe hain for what? For making a reel on health benefits of Namaz? I am a healthcare professional. Maine itne saare Hindu religions par reel banayi hai, unke health benefits par…har Yoga day pe asanas, specially Surya Namaskar ke reels banati hoon, tab toh kisi ne kuch nahi kaha (For the past three weeks, people have been calling me a prostitute non-stop, and even my dear mother has been subjected to abusive name-calling. For what? For making a reel about the health benefits of namaz? I am a healthcare professional. I’ve made several reels on Hindu rituals and their health benefits as well… every Yoga Day, I share videos on asanas, especially Surya Namaskar, and no one said anything then).”
She added, “Mujhe sikhaya gaya hai R for Religion means R for respect, and this is how you respect? Especially to women? Reservation bill pass nahi hua toh sab bol rahe hai lekin jab women ki aisi disrespect hoti hai toh fir silence kyun? I have learnt long back, aap ke liye koi nahi hain, you have to speak up for yourself. So, for all my trolls, please continue, but remember Hinduism has a concept called Karma, and I am a proud Hindu (I’ve been taught that ‘R for Religion’ means ‘R for Respect’—is this what respect looks like, especially towards women? When the reservation bill didn’t pass, everyone spoke up, but when women are disrespected like this, why the silence? I learnt long ago that no one will stand up for you; you have to speak up for yourself. So to all my trolls, please continue, but remember, Hinduism has a concept called karma, and I am a proud Hindu).”
She concluded, “Continue at your own discretion because god’s watching you all. And for all proud, educated Hindus who believe religion means respect, especially for women, negative reels meri bahut viral hogyi, ab yeh waali viral karke dikhaao (Many of my negative reels got viral, now make this go viral).”
She captioned the video saying she had left for Bombay at 6:30 am and briefly stopped at 7 am to record the reel, adding that she has learnt silence is not a virtue and one must speak up against disrespect. She said people should raise their voices against anything that violates basic human rights and clarified that while she is used to personal trolling over the past five years since Shark Tank India, the purpose of her video was to urge Indians to speak up when they witness wrongdoing, out of humanity and patriotism. She ended the note with “Jai Hind”.
Why Namita Thapar faced backlash
In the video in question, Namita spoke about the health benefits of namaz. She described it as a full-body exercise that improves flexibility, supports joint and knee health, and enhances blood circulation. She also said it benefits mental health due to its repetitive and meditative nature. Additionally, she noted that the posture of Vajrasana, which is part of namaz, aids digestion and provides a pause from daily chaos. However, a section of social media users criticised the entrepreneur for discussing the health benefits of namaz.
Singer D4vd pleaded not guilty Monday to a murder charge in the death of a 14-year-old girl who was last known to be alive nearly a year ago and whose dismembered and decomposed body was found in September in his apparently abandoned Tesla.The charges revealed key details and were among the first concrete public moves made in a grisly and horrific case that had been under a largely secret investigation in the seven months since the body of Celeste Rivas Hernandez was found. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said the 21-year-old D4vd, whose legal name is David Burke, was charged with first-degree murder, lewd and lascivious acts with a person under 14 and mutilating a body. His attorney entered not guilty pleas on his behalf to all counts, and the judge said he would continue to be held without bail.The girls’ parents were in court for Burke’s first appearance in the case Monday. Burke appeared behind glass in a custody area of the court, dressed in black.
Alleged child sex abuse during a career on rise
Authorities alleged the Houston-born alt-pop singer killed Rivas Hernandez to protect a career on the rise after she threatened to report their sexual relationship. His debut album, “Withered,” was released just two days after they said she was last known to be alive. She was reported missing by her family in 2024, when she was 13. That was her age when, according to allegation in a criminal complaint, the singer engaged in continuous sexual abuse of her for at least a year from September 2023 to September 2024. California law penalizes abuse of a child under 14 especially harshly. Authorities, who described her Monday as a “runaway,” said she was 14 when she was killed with a sharp object on or around April 23, 2025, and was headed to the singer’s house in the Hollywood Hills. Prosecutors allege Burke mutilated her body about two weeks later.The murder charges included special circumstances – lying in wait, committing crime for financial gain and murdering the witness in an investigation – that could carry the death penalty. Prosecutors haven’t announced whether they will seek it.The witness he is alleged to have killed is Rivas Hernandez herself, who could have given testimony about the sex crime allegations.
Defense says D4vd ‘did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez’
“We believe the actual evidence will show David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez,” lead defense attorney Blair Berk said. “We would like to have the evidence come into the light of day.”Berk told the judge that after media reports of months of secret grand jury proceedings, she would like a public preliminary evidentiary hearing to take place as soon as possible.Burke is entitled under California law to a public preliminary hearing, where a judge decides whether there’s enough evidence for trial, within 10 court days of his arraignment. Nearly all defendants waive their right to have it happen that fast, but he didn’t. A hearing to work out what will happen next was scheduled for Thursday.Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman, the lead prosecutor, said, “We’ll be very happy to put on the evidence that we’ve collected.”Burke was arrested at a home in Hollywood Thursday.
A missing child and the grisly discovery of a body
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman called the case “a parent’s nightmare.” “Celeste, a 14-year-old at that time, went to Mr. Burke’s house in the Hollywood Hills. She was never heard from again,” Hochman said at Monday’s press conference. The long-dead body of Rivas Hernandez was found inside a Tesla that was towed from the Hollywood Hills on Sept. 8, when Burke was on tour in support of his album. It was a day after she would have turned 15. Her family had reported her missing from her hometown of Lake Elsinore, about 70 miles (112 kilometers) southeast of Los Angeles. The singer had been under investigation by an LA County grand jury looking into the death. The probe was officially secret, but its existence – and his designation as its target – was revealed in February when his mother, father and brother objected in a Texas court to subpoenas demanding they testify. The 2023 Tesla Model Y was registered in the singer’s name at their address, according to court filings. Authorities did not publicly acknowledge him as a suspect until his arrest. Police investigators searching the Tesla in a tow yard found a cadaver bag “covered with insects and a strong odor of decay,” court documents said. Detectives partially unzipped a bag and found a head and torso. Investigators from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office removed the bag and “discovered the arms and legs had been severed from the body,” according to court documents. A second black bag was found under the first, and dismembered body parts were inside it. No cause of death has been publicly revealed, and police got a judge to block the release details of the autopsy. The court order was expected to be lifted after the charges.The family of Rivas Hernandez has remained private and has not made any public statements on her death or the case.“I had the chance to meet with some of the family members of Celeste and their grief in incalculable as to what happened to their daughter,” Hochman said.
D4vd was a social media-savvy singer making breakthroughs
D4vd, pronounced “David,” gained popularity among Gen Z for his blend of indie rock, R&B and lo-fi pop. He went viral on TikTok in 2022 with the hit “Romantic Homicide,” which peaked at No. 4 on Billboard’s Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. He then signed with Darkroom and Interscope Records and released his debut EP “Petals to Thorns” and a follow-up, “The Lost Petals,” in 2023.The Associated Press confirmed that D4vd was dropped by Interscope last year.When the body was discovered, the singer continued his North American tour, but when reports of his possible involvement spread widely, he canceled the final two shows and a European tour that was to follow. On April 11, about two weeks before the killing, he made his debut appearance at the Coachella music festival, where he talked to the AP. “I was such an internet kid. The internet is really what I claim as my home,” he said. “My neighborhood was Instagram and the society was the internet.”
