Oscar-nominated actor Antonio Banderas has opened up about the ethnic typecasting he faced early in his career, revealing that he was once told he could only play “bad guys” because of his Hispanic heritage.
Despite this, Banderas has built a career that spans both live-action and animated films, proudly breaking out of the restrictive roles he was initially offered.
As per Deadline, in a recent interview, Banderas recounted, “They said, you are here, like the blacks and the Hispanics, to play the bad guys. The problem was a few years later I had a mask, hat, sword and cape and the bad guy was Captain Love, who was blond and had blue eyes. Even more important is Puss in Boots, because it`s for young kids. They see a cat that has a Spanish, even an Andalusian accent and he`s a good guy.”
Banderas` reflection highlights the significance of his iconic roles as Zorro in The Mask of Zorro (1998) and The Legend of Zorro (2005), and as the swashbuckling feline Puss in Boots, first introduced in Shrek 2 (2004).
He reprised the voice role in Shrek the Third (2007), Shrek Forever After (2010), and in the Puss in Boots spin-offs Puss in Boots (2011) and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022).
In an earlier interview, Banderas addressed his absence from the upcoming Shrek 5, set to premiere on June 30, 2027.
“I`m not so far, and I`m not being called for that,” he said, adding,”Puss in Boots did very well. Number two got a nomination for the Oscar, and the movie behaved beautifully at the box office. But I am totally satisfied with the five Puss in Boots that I did. I don`t know what is going to happen in the future. Maybe they [will] call me tomorrow,” as quoted by Deadline.
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Lucknow: “He leads by example and his form at the top of the order has been superb”–This has been the well-defined belief of everyone regarding Australian batter Mitchell Marsh, who has transformed himself into a batting pillar for any side.
Team LSG practice session ahead of IPL 2026 at Ekana International Stadium, Lucknow on 23rd March 2026 Photographs By : Sandeep Shetty / LSG
There were doubts about Marsh’s participation in the Indian Premier League last season because he was in rehab due to a back issue. When this all-rounder arrived at Lucknow Super Giants last season as a player in recovery, not as a guaranteed match-winner, a condition was set that he wouldn’t bowl to avoid further injury.
So, Marsh looked like any other player for LSG at the beginning of that season, but by the end of IPL 2025, the Australian all-rounder had turned himself into one of LSG’s most important batters. This proved that value in T20 cricket is not always defined by how many skills you use, but by how well you use the one that matters most on the day.
Marsh’s IPL career has always carried a sense of untapped possibility. A powerful striker of the ball and a useful medium-pace bowler, he entered the league with the reputation of a genuine all-rounder, but injuries and form often interrupted his progress. Across his IPL career so far, he has played 55 matches, scored 1,292 runs and taken 37 wickets — numbers that show both impact and inconsistency equally.
The 2025 season, however, changed the tone of the conversation. Marsh was cleared to play only as a specialist batter because of a back issue, and LSG accepted the restriction rather than forcing a compromised version of the player. That decision brought clarity to his role and freedom to his batting.
Once he settled at the top of the order, he became the kind of opener every franchise wants in the IPL: aggressive without being reckless, calm without being passive, and capable of taking a game away in a brief burst. The numbers reflected the transformation. Marsh finished IPL 2025 with 627 runs in 13 matches at an average of 48.23 and a strike rate of 163.71, easily the strongest season of his IPL career.
He also struck his maiden IPL century, a blazing 117 against Gujarat Titans, a knock that underlined how completely he had adapted to life as LSG’s designated power source at the top. For a team needing equal measures of stability and punch, Marsh became both.
Marsh’s recent T20 World Cup campaign added another layer to his reputation. He led Australia as captain and carried the responsibility of a senior figure who was expected to set the tone with the bat and his voice. Though Australia failed to qualify for the Super Eight stage after losing to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, he gave the side a brisk start in the tournament, including a half-century against Oman, and remained an influential presence even as the side’s campaign hit turbulence.
What stood out was not just the runs, but the composure; Marsh spoke like a leader, backed his team publicly, and kept the focus on collective responsibility rather than individual excuses. That leadership quality matters for IPL 2026 as well.
LSG have retained Marsh, and reports from the franchise’s camp suggest he is settled, positive and fully aligned with the dressing-room environment under Rishabh Pant. His back-to-back half-centuries, studded with huge sixes in the two practice matches here at the Ekana stadium last week are good enough to suggest his form.
Marsh himself has spoken warmly about Pant’s captaincy and has signaled that he wants to be a supportive senior in the squad. That is important because it hints at a clear future role: not as a part-time bowler trying to prove fitness, but as a front-line overseas batter entrusted with driving the innings from ball one.
“Pant has been a ‘terrific young leader’ who communicates well and fosters a winning team culture. Pant is highly receptive to ideas and input from other experienced players, promoting a team-first environment,” he said about Pant, adding, “As a senior player, my goal is to support Pant’s leadership and maintain consistency for the team’s success. The atmosphere at Lucknow Super Giants, under Pant, is positive and welcoming.”
For IPL 2026, the roadmap is straightforward. If Marsh stays fit, he should remain one of LSG’s most valuable batters, and perhaps one of the tournament’s most dependable power-play threats. His best season in 2025 showed that the IPL can still be a stage where experienced players reinvent themselves, and Marsh’s reinvention may yet continue.
Rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh performed at the MMRDA Grounds in Bandra on Saturday, March 28. The show was part of his My Story – India Chapter tour. Visuals from his Mumbai concert are now going viral on social media. However, the videos are not of Singh’s performance but rather of unruly moments in the crowd. A clip showing a woman attempting to climb over a locked gate and hurling abuses at security guards has surfaced online.
Woman climbs gate at Honey Singh`s concert
At the concert, the woman was seen trying to climb over a locked gate, with security intervening to stop her. Reportedly, several fans were locked out of the venue for arriving late. Some claimed that the woman was trying to get closer to the stage, an area her ticket did not permit access to.
The video quickly went viral and drew mixed reactions. Several attendees also complained about poor crowd management at the concert. Many alleged that people without platinum tickets were allowed into restricted areas without wristbands, leading to confusion and chaos.
Honey Singh later shared the video on his Instagram Stories, captioning it, “Sherni fan of mine.”
The rapper began his My Story World Tour in Dubai on February 6, 2026. The tour marks an important phase in his career, showcasing his evolution from one of India’s biggest hitmakers to an international live performer.
The tour celebrates his musical journey, from the streets of West Delhi to global fame, highlighting the music, memories, and milestones that have shaped his career.
Speaking about the tour, Honey Singh said, “This tour is personal. Every song, every performance will tell a part of my story, where I come from, what I’ve learned, and what music means to me. Launching this journey in Dubai, the city that first gave my music an international stage, feels like life has come full circle. With the ‘My Story World Tour’, I’m ready to take my artistry to the next level and connect India to the global stage.”
It has been a milestone year for Honey Singh, marked by creative reinvention and major successes. From launching his luxury lifestyle line Yo Yo Watches to releasing his multi-artist album 51 Glorious Days, embarking on the Millionaire India Tour, and unveiling his documentary Yo Yo Honey Singh: Famous, the artist has cemented his position as a global cultural force.
Born in West Delhi, Yo Yo Honey Singh is credited with popularising Punjabi rap and hip-hop in India’s mainstream music industry. From hits like Brown Rang and Lungi Dance to Blue Eyes and Desi Kalakaar, his music has defined a generation.
Guwahati’s weather looms large over the IPL 2026 opener between Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings, with rain forecasts casting doubt on the match. Both teams, aiming for a fresh start after poor seasons, feature significant player and leadership changes. Sanju Samson moves to CSK, Ravindra Jadeja to RR, and Riyan Parag captains the Royals, while Ruturaj Gaikwad leads CSK.
Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings are set to usher in a new phase of their IPL journeys on Monday, but the weather in Guwahati threatens to take centre stage even before a ball is bowled.The IPL 2026 opener between the two sides comes with renewed narratives after both teams hit the reset button following bottom-place finishes last season. However, multiple weather forecasts have cast doubt over how much action fans will witness. While BBC Weather has predicted “thundery showers” through the scheduled match hours, Weather.com has also indicated consistent rain from early evening until midnight. AccuWeather, in contrast, offers a more optimistic outlook, suggesting the rain could clear before the toss, although high humidity is expected to persist.
Watch
CSK host fan engagement event at Chepauk ahead of IPL 2026
Beyond the uncertainty in the skies, the contest marks a significant shift in personnel and leadership. Sanju Samson will turn out for CSK after leading Rajasthan Royals until last season, while Ravindra Jadeja has moved in the opposite direction, returning to the franchise where he began his IPL career in 2008. The trade, which also involved Sam Curran, has reshaped both squads.Riyan Parag will lead Rajasthan Royals in a new role, while Ruturaj Gaikwad takes back the Chennai Super Kings captaincy after his 2025 campaign was cut short by injury. CSK will also be without MS Dhoni for the opening phase due to a calf issue, and Dewald Brevis has been ruled out of the first game.
Poll
Who do you think will perform better in this match?
On paper, Rajasthan Royals appear to have addressed their balance issues. The addition of Jadeja alongside Ravi Bishnoi gives them greater control in the middle overs, while their pace attack, featuring Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger and Adam Milne, offers variety and pace.Chennai Super Kings, however, have questions to answer, particularly with the ball. The absence of Nathan Ellis leaves a gap in the death overs, with the attack largely made up of bowlers who are more effective in the powerplay. Noor Ahmad is expected to handle the middle overs, but the closing stages remain a concern.Also Read: RR vs CSK Live Score
Bollywood action star Akshay Kumar says he wants to return to raw, real-action films, rejecting the industry’s growing reliance on VFX and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for stunts. In a recent interview, the 58-year-old actor emphasised that he wants to perform his own stunts rather than rely on computer-generated effects.
Akshay Kumar says he wants to make an action film without using VFX.
Akshay wants ‘real action’ back
Akshay began his career as a bona fide action star, earning the nickname “Khiladi” for his work in the popular franchise of the same name. He delivered hits like Mohra, Suhaag, Elaan, and Jaanwar. In recent years, he led action entertainers such as Holiday, Gabbar is Back, and Sooryavanshi, his most recent full-fledged action outing.
“There is a huge difference in the way action films are being made today. Earlier, the action would be real; now, everything is done in VFX. It’s not fun as it feels fake. I want to make a film, which is real,” Akshay told news agency PTI.
Akshay, who is trained in martial arts including Karate, Muay Thai, Taekwondo, and Kudo, said, “If I’m jumping, then I’m jumping for real and not using VFX, or if I’m kicking, then I’m kicking for real, not like 15 people helping me kick people. I want to make an action film without the use of VFX. I’m saying this in the era of AI, and people may think what they wish to, but I want to do an action film that is a real action film. The audience can feel how much effort is being put in, unlike the efforts taken with the help of AI or computer.”
Currently, Akshay has expressed his desire to return to practical, physically performed stunts that offer audiences a visceral, authentic thrill. He likened his approach to action cinema to creating a painting: there is a clear difference between a real, hand-made painting and a printed, digital one. While the printed version may appear perfect, the hand-made work carries subtle flaws that give it authenticity. The choice, he suggested, ultimately lies with the audience. Akshay expressed his desire to create a “real painting” through physically performed stunts in his films.
Akshay’s career shift from action to comedy and patriotic themes
Over the past decade, Akshay’s career has shifted from full-on action to a more diverse mix of comedy and patriotic films. He has become a familiar face in ensemble comedies like the Housefull series, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, and Good Newwz, while also tackling the patriotic genre through a string of nationalistic films, frequently portraying army officers, intelligence agents, or individuals driven to serve and protect the country. Some of his notable patriotic projects include Airlift, Baby, Holiday, Kesari, Mission Mangal, and Sky Force, all of which showcase his consistent focus on stories of courage, duty, and patriotism.
Akshay’s upcoming roles
Akshay has joined the cast of the fifth instalment of the popular Golmaal franchise, directed by Rohit Shetty. He will join co-stars Ajay Devgn, Arshad Warsi, Tusshar Kapoor, Sharman Joshi, Kunal Kemmu, and Shreyas Talpade. He is also awaiting the release of his next film, Bhooth Bangla, directed by Priyadarshan, scheduled to hit theatres on April 10.
TVK president Vijay with party candidates during their introduction, ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly polls, in Chennai on March 29, 2026.
| Photo Credit: PTI
In its debut electoral contest, the party has fielded 24 women candidates. Prominent TVK functionaries, who have been given the ticket include its general secretary N. Anand from T. Nagar, treasurer P. Venkataramanan from Mylapore, and other functionaries Aadhav Arjuna from Villivakkam, K.A. Sengottaiyan from Gopichettipalayam, Arun Raj from Tiruchengode, and former AIADMK MLA J.C.D. Prabhakar from Thousand Lights.
In Tiruchi East constituency, Mr. Vijay is set for a high-stakes electoral contest against Inigo S. Irudayaraj of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam(DMK) and K. Rajasekaran of the AIADMK. Meanwhile, in Perambur constituency, the TVK president is in fray along with R.D. Shekar of the DMK and M. Thilagabama of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), an ally of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).
Here’s the complete list of TVK candidates for 234 constituencies in Tamil Nadu Assembly elections:
Perambur – C. Joseph Vijay (TVK president)
Tiruchi East – C. Joseph Vijay (TVK president)
T. Nagar – ‘Bussy’ N. Anand (TVK general secretary)
Villivakkam – Aadhav Arjuna (TVK general secretary, election campaign management)
Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh was disappointed by Ajinkya Rahane`s captaincy against the Mumbai Indians. Harbhajan believed that Rahane should have used Sunil Narine early in the innings against Rohit Sharma, given his good record against the MI opener.
KKR bowlers took a thrashing on Wankhede Stadium as MI chased down 221 runs comfortably. Rohit Sharma starred with 78 runs off 38 balls, along with his opening partner, Rickleton, who scored 81 off 43 balls. The opening pair scored 148 runs in 72 balls to set the platform for a comfortable chase for the hosts.
Speaking about KKR`s approach towards defending their total, Harbhajan Singh showed his disappointment over the use of Sunil Narine. Narine was brought into the attack after the power play when Rohit and Rickleton were both set.
“The best match-up was to bowl Sunil Narine in the powerplay, at least one or two overs to target Rohit Sharma early. That was their best chance to pick wickets and put Mumbai under pressure. Instead, Narine didn`t even complete his full quota, which shows the captaincy wasn`t up to the mark. Credit to Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton. They batted with ease and never let the bowlers settle, but KKR could have handled that phase much better,” Harbhajan told JioStar.
Harbhajan and Irfan Pathan heap praise on Shardul Thakur
Harbhajan Singh and Irfan Pathan heaped praise on Shardul Thakur, who took three wickets in the first innings. The duo praised Shardul`s wholeheartedness and confidence while bowling difficult overs.
“He`s not a bowler who gets intimidated, even when batters are attacking. He keeps coming at you. What stands out is how he uses his variations,” Pathan said. “Every time he starts his run-up, he`s already changing his grip, whether it`s for a slower ball, cross-seam, or even a scrambled seam delivery. He`s always trying to make something happen.” Pathan added.
Irfan Pathan further added that Shardul constantly experiments with his bowling and is reaping the rewards now.
“He invites batters to go for big shots and thrives on that. He doesn`t have express pace or big swing, but he`s constantly experimenting with different lengths and speeds, and that`s why he keeps picking up wickets,” Pathan concluded.
Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty ended the last trading session of the 2025-26 financial year sharply lower on Monday, as the ongoing war in West Asia and rising crude oil prices kept investor sentiment under pressure.Weak cues from Asian markets and continued foreign fund outflows further dragged domestic equities.Extending losses for the second straight session, the 30-share BSE Sensex plunged 1,635.67 points or 2.22 per cent to settle at 71,947.55. During the day, it dropped 1,809.09 points or 2.45 per cent to 71,774.13.Here are the top gainers and losers of the day:
Nifty50 top gainers:
Hindalco (2.05%)
Coal India (1.22%)
ONGC (0.96%)
Power Grid (0.21%)
Nifty50 top losers:
Bajaj Finance (-5.01%)
Kwality Wall’s (-4.79%)
SBI (-3.94%)
InterGlobe Aviation (-3.81%)
Bajaj Finserv (-3.72%)
Axis Bank (-3.65%)
Jio Financial Services (-3.64%)
Adani Enterprises (-3.53%)
Shriram Finance (-3.51%)
Kotak Bank (-3.49%)
BSE Sensex top gainers:
BSE Sensex top losers:
Bajaj Finance (-5.01%)
Kwality Wall’s (-4.79%)
SBI (-3.94%)
InterGlobe Aviation (-3.81%)
Bajaj Finserv (-3.72%)
Axis Bank (-3.65%)
Kotak Bank (-3.49%)
Bharti Airtel (-3.34%)
HDFC Bank (-3.26%)
Trent (-3.06%)
The broader market also reflected the sharp sell-off, with 3,563 stocks declining, 876 advancing and 154 remaining unchanged on the BSE.The 50-share NSE Nifty slumped 488.20 points or 2.14 per cent to close at 22,331.40.“The downturn was primarily driven by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which dashed hopes of de-escalation and pushed crude oil prices higher, raising concerns over inflation and macro stability for oil-importing economies like India.“Weak global cues, including declines across Asian and US markets, coupled with continued foreign institutional outflows and a weakening rupee, further weighed on sentiment,” Ajit Mishra, SVP, Research, Religare Broking Ltd, said, PTI quoted.Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, jumped 2.18 per cent to $115.1 per barrel. In the last two trading sessions, the Sensex has fallen 3,325.9 points or 4.41 per cent, while the Nifty has dropped 975.05 points or 4.18 per cent.For the full 2025-26 financial year, the Sensex declined 5,467.37 points or 7 per cent, and the Nifty fell 1,187.95 points or 5 per cent.Broader markets also came under pressure, with the BSE MidCap Select index falling 3.13 per cent and the SmallCap Select index declining 2.14 per cent.All sectoral indices ended in the red, with auto, FMCG, consumer durables, capital goods, realty, private banks and PSU banks dropping between 2 per cent and 4 per cent.The BSE PSU Bank index plunged 4.60 per cent, followed by MidSmall Private Banks Quality Tilt (3.96 per cent), Bankex (3.80 per cent), Financial Services (3.46 per cent), Private Banks (3.43 per cent), BSE Top 10 Banks (3.40 per cent), Telecommunication (3.09 per cent) and Realty (3.03 per cent).“Banking stocks were among the key laggards following the RBI’s new restrictions on banks’ foreign exchange positions aimed at stabilising the rupee, which led to sharp declines across major private and public sector lenders.“While valuations now appear more favourable after the recent correction, the trajectory of earnings revisions remains the key determinant of market direction. Continued volatility in oil prices and rupee weakness may exert pressure on input costs, increasing the risk of near-term earnings downgrades,” Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Limited, said.Meanwhile, the rupee gained 7 paise in a volatile session to close at 94.78 (provisional) against the US dollar, after hitting an all-time intra-day low of 95.22.In Asian markets, South Korea’s Kospi and Japan’s Nikkei 225 plunged nearly 3 per cent, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index also ended lower. Shanghai’s SSE Composite index closed in positive territory.Markets in Europe were trading marginally higher, while US markets had ended sharply lower on Friday, with the Nasdaq Composite down 2.15 per cent, the Dow Jones Industrial Average losing 1.73 per cent and the S&P 500 declining 1.67 per cent.“Indian equities extended their decline, with benchmark indices falling over 2 per cent, underscoring a deepening sell-off sentiment driven by persistent global uncertainties and rising crude oil prices,” Hariprasad K, Research Analyst and Founder, Livelong Wealth, said.Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth Rs 4,367.30 crore on Friday, while Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) bought stocks worth Rs 3,566.15 crore, as per exchange data.Foreign investors have pulled out Rs 1.14 lakh crore (about $12.3 billion) from domestic equities in March, marking the worst monthly outflow, amid escalating tensions in West Asia, a weakening rupee and concerns over elevated crude oil prices.
TVK chief, actor-politician Vijay will contest from two seats in the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly polls for his party, Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK). On Monday, Vijay filed his nomination to contest Assembly polls from Perambur constituency in Chennai and appealed to the people to give an opportunity to his party TVK and vote for the party’s whistle symbol on April 23.
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and actor Vijay campaigns after filing his nomination papers for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections from the Perambur constituency, in Chennai. (Handout via PTI Photo)(PTI03_30_2026_000182B) (PTI)
What Vijay said
He addressed thousands of supporters from his open-top campaign vehicle, saying that he is here for the people, and went on to reiterate his allegation that the DMK was an evil force. He said, “We have to save Tamil Nadu. Who is responsible for this plight? The evil force DMK is the reason for this situation, Stalin sir is the reason. This is a selection for the next generation. I have come here only because of you. I have thrown away my rich life and come here only to repay you. I will never lie, never deceive you.”
He continued, “Do you want Stalin, who runs an anti-people government? Or do you want Vijay, who loves people? Please give an opportunity and vote for the whistle symbol. This should be a whistle revolution election. Is there safety in the regime of this evil force DMK? Did children have safety? Did you live peacefully? What can be done with this evil force, the DMK government, which offers no security and no employment? Shall we throw it away? Next, they will have piles of money and won’t know what to do with it, so they’ll give it to all of you, dreaming of winning somehow. As I said before, take everything. Take it and blow the whistle in their ears and send them away.”
More details
The two seats of Vijay will be Perambur and Trichy East. Vijay will face DMK’s sitting MLA RD Shekar, who will contest from Perambur. He is also pitted against the sitting MLA and DMK candidate Inigo Irudayaraj in Trichy East. Elections to 234 Assembly segments in the state will be held on April 23. Counting is scheduled for May 4, while the assembly’s current tenure ends on May 10.
Vijay announced a series of key election promises, stressing his vision for a drug-free and self-reliant Tamil Nadu. He also assured that all government examinations will be conducted on time without delays. Highlighting youth welfare, Vijay announced a monthly assistance of ₹4,000 for graduates and ₹2,000 for diploma holders.
