Month: June 2025

The much-awaited second season of the popular spy thriller Special Ops is set to release on July 11 on JioHotstar.

Directed by Neeraj Pandey, the series returns with more action and drama, continuing the story of R&AW officer Himmat Singh, played by Kay Kay Menon.

Ahead of the release, filmmaker Neeraj Pandey opened up about whether he feels the pressure of audience expectations after the success of the first season. Pandey shared that he and his team try to keep the process light and enjoyable.

“We realized quite early on that pressure of this type doesn’t help, and we like to enjoy our work. I can speak on behalf of my friends that the more fun we can have on set while doing our work, that’s the key to it,” Pandey told ANI.

Actor Vinay Pathak, who returns as Abbas Sheikh, also teased what’s in store for fans this time. He said viewers should be ready for a lot more in the new season.

“Unexpected, it’s bigger, larger, and better, I feel. Huge. It’s going to be a big one. And I’m very, very excited.”

The upcoming season stars Kay Kay Menon, Prakash Raj, Vinay Pathak, Karan Tacker, Saiyami Kher, Muzammil Ibrahim, Gautami Kapoor, Parmeet Sethi, and Kali Prasad Mukherjee.

Special Ops 2 is a direct sequel to Special Ops (2020) and also builds on the events from the spin-off Special Ops 1.5 (2021). With Himmat Singh once again at the center of a high-stakes mission, fans can expect more suspense, action, and drama when the show hits screens this July. (ANI)

The much-loved crime drama ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’ turned 13 on Sunday, June 22.

Directed by Anurag Kashyap, the two-part film was released in 2012 and quickly became a cult hit. With its sharp dialogues and powerful performances, it changed the face of Indian cinema.

As the film clocked 13 years, actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who rose to fame with his role in the film, took to Instagram to share a special picture with director Anurag Kashyap. The photo shows the two standing near a tree. Nawazuddin stands quietly while Kashyap is seen smoking a cigarette.

“Celebrating 13 years of Gangs Of Wasseypur,” Nawazuddin wrote in the caption.

Take a look

The post caught the attention of fans who dropped their reactions in the comment section.

One fan wrote, “Unbeatable combo. Ek aur jalwa dikhao.”

Another commented, “Adha ciggerate ke liye intejar karta hua nawaj vai.”

“Lagta hai kuch bada aane wala hai. Tabahi I mean Gangs of Wasseypur 3,” wrote a third user.

Actor Manoj Bajpayee, who played Sardar Khan in the film, also marked the day with a heartfelt post.

He wrote, “Hazraat, Hazraat, Hazraat! 13 years ago, Wasseypur redefined Indian cinema. A saga of coal, crime, and cult dialogues that still echo across screens and streets. More than a project, this became a moment in history, one that shaped Indian cult cinema forever.”

Take a look

Gangs of Wasseypur was released in two parts — the first on June 22 and the second on August 8, 2012. The story covered nearly seven decades, from 1941 to 2009, focusing on coal mafias, crime families, and the endless fights for power in Dhanbad.

Besides winning hearts and earning critical praise, both parts of the film turned into box office successes. Today, ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’ continues to enjoy a huge fan base, with many calling it one of the best Indian films ever made. (ANI)

The legendary Bollywood epic ‘Sholay’ will receive a special 50th anniversary tribute with the world premiere of its fully restored, uncut version at the Il Cinema Ritrovato Festival in Bologna, Italy.

The screening will take place on June 27 at the large open-air Piazza Maggiore, known for hosting memorable film events.

Originally released in 1975, Sholay became a cult favourite in Indian cinema, thanks to its powerful story, characters, and action scenes. Directed by Ramesh Sippy, the film featured Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Jaya Bhaduri, and Amjad Khan, and went on to become a cultural phenomenon.

The restored version is the result of a three-year collaboration between the Film Heritage Foundation and Sippy Films Pvt. Ltd. For the first time, viewers will be able to see the film with its original ending and previously deleted scenes that were missing from the version that was widely shown in theatres.

As per a press release, Amitabh Bachchan, while sharing his thoughts said, “Some things in life remain permanently etched in your mind. Sholay is one such film. Shooting for the film was an unforgettable experience, but at the time I had no idea that it would be a watershed for Indian cinema. Its dramatic change in fortunes from being declared an unsuccessful venture, to its record-breaking box office run was an emotional rollercoaster for all of us. It’s wonderful that the Film Heritage Foundation has restored “Sholay” and that they have managed to locate and include the original ending as well as some deleted scenes in the restoration.I hope that even 50 years later, the film will capture the imagination of new audiences across the world.”

Dharmendra said, “Sholay is the 8th wonder of the world. I am thrilled to hear that the film is being restored and I am sure it will have the same success as it had 50 years ago. Who can forget the dialogues of Salim-Javed and the direction of Ramesh Sippy? So many scenes have gone down in the history of Indian cinema and every character became a star. But the real hero was the coin. Few people know that I was offered the role of Gabbar and Thakur, but I was clear that I wanted to play the role of Veeru as he is so much like me. I had so much fun on the shoot. My favourite scenes were the tanki scene, the scene in the temple, and so many others, but the most powerful scene I feel was the death of Jai, which is still etched in my mind.”

The restoration project involved working with rare materials found in film archives in Mumbai and London, and the final version was created with the help of experts in Italy and support from the British Film Institute.

The film will be shown in a 2.2:1 aspect ratio, with restored sound and visuals. (ANI)

Sister of Sunjay Kapur, Mandhira Kapur has penned an emotional tribute following the industrialist’s sudden death due to a heart attack.

Mandhira, in an Instagram post, shared a series of childhood pictures along with a note in which she opened up about how she and her brother had not spoken for the past four years and that a “silly sibling squabble” kept them apart emotionally.

“My brother and I may not have spoken for the last 4 years; a silly sibling squabble escalated to crazy levels due to egos and natural bullishness. However, that will never take away what we were and what we had,” read a part of her post.

“He always looked after me and my sister, a true big brother and a friend. What happened towards the end has been both horrible and pointless. I will never have my moments with him again. We will never be ‘us,’ and it is devastating that we didn’t fix what had become broken. And so now, my heart is the same. I am sure he knew, despite our recent estrangement, that I loved him. In my soul, I am sure he shared the same hope as I–that one day we would be as amazing as we were for the first 47 years. Of this, I am sure, and take some small comfort,” she said.

Read the full post here.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DLNPUo-yE1P/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Kapur, a prominent figure in the automotive sector and Chairman of Sona Comstar, reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest while participating in a polo match in England.

Kapur’s final rites were performed at the Lodhi Road Cremation Ground (Dayanand Muktidham) on June 19, with family and close associates present. According to a statement from family friend and actor Suhel Seth, a bee sting incident during the match may have triggered the heart attack. (ANI)

Following the directions of the Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, the Government of Telangana, continues to monitor the ongoing crisis in the Middle East actively and has been extending all necessary support to Telangana citizens returning from the affected regions, as per a release.

In a coordinated effort, New Delhi’s Telangana Bhavan facilitated the safe transit of six Telangana students who arrived at midnight yesterday–four from Iran and two from Israel.

All six students had pre-booked their onward flights to Hyderabad and were safely seen off by Telangana Bhavan staff at 5:30 AM. Officials ensured their comfort and well-being during their stay in Delhi and assisted them until they boarded their flights.

Further, seven more Telangana citizens are expected to arrive in New Delhi tonight. These individuals have successfully crossed over from Israel to Amman, Jordan, and are scheduled to reach India shortly. Arrangements are being made to receive and support them at the airport and at Telangana Bhavan.

Meanwhile, several other Telangana residents stranded in Israel are facing delays due to the temporary closure of Israeli airspace. Despite these disruptions, the Government of Telangana remains fully committed to assisting all affected citizens and is in constant coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian Embassies, and concerned authorities.

The Chief Minister has instructed officials to ensure that every Telangana resident arriving from the region receives timely assistance, proper accommodation, and onward travel support.

Citizens are advised to stay in touch with official channels and avoid relying on unverified information. The Government of Telangana stands firmly with its people during this challenging time and will continue its efforts to ensure their safety and swift return.

Earlier on June 21, chants of ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ and ‘Hindustan Zindabad’ echoed through the Delhi Airport late at night as a flight carrying 290 Indian nationals evacuated from Iran under the Operation Sindhu touched down.

Among those evacuated was Tazkiya Fatima, a resident of Noida, who recounted the tense situation in Iran and praised the coordination between Indian authorities. “There is a situation of war over there. We were not sure how we would make it out of there, but the Government of India made the whole process very smooth. I am very thankful to the Indian government. I am a resident of Noida,” she said. (ANI)

An RTC bus en route to Visakhapatnam from Narsipatnam met with an accident near Bayyavaram in Andhra Pradesh on the national highway. The bus collided with a lorry in front of it, resulting in injuries to eight people, including the driver.

As per the information, no casualties were reported in the incident.

Kasimkota Inspector Swamy Naidu stated that the collision between the lorry and the bus left eight people injured. They have been admitted to a nearby government hospital for treatment. Further details are awaited.

Last month, eight pilgrims died after a 20-foot-long stretch collapsed at the Sri Varahalakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple in Visakhapatnam during the Chandanotsavam festival.

Meanwhile, the family members of the victims broke down in tears after the accident outside the King George Hospital in Visakhapatnam.

According to Jogarao, who is a relative of the deceased Uma Maheswarao family member, a wall was recently constructed, and four lives of a family were lost due to the wall. Both the wife and husband worked as IT technicians.

“A wall was recently constructed, and four lives of a family were lost due to the wall. Both the wife and husband worked as IT technicians. We are demanding justice for the family. How can a wall constructed without a pillar support? I am demanding that the contractor and engineer of the wall construction. The Government should announce one crore ex gratia and one government job to family members. Without announcing it, we wouldn’t allow to perform postmortems on the deceased bodies”, he told ANI.

Another relative of the deceased family members said that they demand to get to the bottom of the matter, and the government should take action against the officers who were involved in the poor construction of the wall.

“We need justice for losing our family members. The government should take action against the officers involved in the poor construction of the wall. Four members of my family lost their lives at the same time. Who will take responsibility for our family? The government should give one government and ex gratia to us”, the family member said. (ANI)

The Meteorological Centre in Jaipur has issued an orange alert for heavy rainfall in several districts of eastern Rajasthan, warning residents to prepare for intense weather over the next 24 hours.

Radheshyam Sharma, Director of the Meteorological Center, explained that a cyclonic circulation over western Uttar Pradesh is driving moderate to heavy rains across the region.

According to Sharma, several districts have reported heavy rainfall measuring up to 190 millimetres. Other areas, such as Tonk and Dholpur, have also experienced significant rainfall. The impact of this weather system, accompanied by thunder and heavy rain, is expected to persist for the next two to three days.

“At present there is a cyclonic circulation over the western parts of UP and MP, and due to this, moderate to heavy rainfall has been reported in many parts of eastern Rajasthan as well as heavy and very heavy rainfall. 190 mm of heavy rainfall has been reported in the Baran district… The effect of this system will continue in the form of thunder and rain in the next two to three days in eastern Rajasthan… In the districts of Baran, Kota, Bundi, and Jhalawar, an orange alert has been given for the next 24 hours, which means more than 200 mm rainfall may occur in these districts during the next 24 hours…,” said Sharma.

The Kota division–specifically Baran, Kota, Bundi, and Jhalawar districts–has been placed under an orange alert, signalling the possibility of more than 200 millimetres of rain within 24 hours. Meanwhile, moderate to heavy rainfall is forecasted to continue in the Jaipur, Udaipur, and Bharatpur divisions.

Residents in the affected districts are advised to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions as the heavy rain system is expected to last through June 24 and 25.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the southwest monsoon is likely to advance into parts of Delhi, Chandigarh, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Jammu & Kashmir over the next two days. Conditions are favourable for its further progress. In Northeast India, heavy rain is expected to continue for the next three days.

According to the India Meteorological Department (imd), a ‘yellow’ alert has been issued for Delhi-NCR. The alert forecasts light to moderate rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds reaching speeds of 30-40 km/h. Delhi’s neighbours, Gurugram and Faridabad, are also under a yellow alert. (ANI)

Netanyahu Says Israel ‘Very Close’ To Achieving Goals In Iran, Vows To Avoid ‘War Of Attrition’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel is “very close” to achieving its goals in Iran, having inflicted significant damage to its ballistic missile program and its nuclear facilities, The Times of Israel reported.

Addressing reporters in a pre-recorded press conference on Sunday following the US strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, Netanyahu pledged not to let Israel get dragged into a “war of attrition” with Tehran but emphasised that it does not imply he would end the campaign until all the objectives are achieved.

“We won’t pursue our actions beyond what is needed to achieve [the goals], but we also won’t finish too soon,” vowing to avoid entering a war of attrition. Speaking to reporters, he said, “When the objectives are achieved, then the operation is complete and the fighting will stop.”

צפו במסיבת העיתונאים >> pic.twitter.com/MLn2LmQ3FD

— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) June 22, 2025

Netanyahu stated, “I have no doubt that this is a regime that wants to wipe us out, and that’s why we embarked on this operation to eliminate the two concrete threats to our existence: the nuclear threat and the ballistic missile threat. We are moving step by step towards achieving these goals. We are very, very close to completing them.”

He said that “very serious damage” has been inflicted on Iran’s nuclear site in Furdow. However, he did not mention the details regarding the extent of the damage. Regarding Iran’s nuclear program, he said, “We are sending them back, we are removing the threat.”

The Pentagon on Sunday announced that the US launched Operation Midnight Hammer and conducted “precision strikes” at three of Iran’s key nuclear facilities, including Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.

Asked about the whereabouts of Iran’s 400 kilograms of 60-per-cent enriched uranium, he claimed that Israel has “interesting intel” related to the issue. However, he refused to elaborate on the details.

Netanyahu said, “We’ve been following that very closely. I can tell you that it’s an important component of a nuclear program.” He said, “It’s not the sole component. It’s not a sufficient component. But it is an important component and we have interesting intel on that, which you will excuse me if I don’t share with you.”

About the timing of Israel’s campaign against nuclear facilities in Iran, Netanyahu said Israel “had to act” as Tehran was making efforts toward nuclear weaponisation after Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah’s killing in September 2024.

Israel’s PM mentioned Iran’s plans to build 300 ballistic missiles per month as a deciding factor to initiate the campaign at this time. According to him, over half of the ballistic missile launchers in Iran had been taken out in the past 10 days.

Netanyahu said he had shared his concerns with US President Donald Trump and told him of the need to act. He said, “I told him of our need to act, and he understood it very well. And I knew that when push comes to shove, he would do the right thing,” The Times of Israel reported.

Israeli PM said, “He would do the right thing for America. He would do the right thing for the free world. He would do the right thing for civilisation.”

Netanyahu insisted that the attacks in Iran would help Israel in achieving its goals in the Gaza Strip. He said, “Without the Iranian scaffolding, it all collapses.” According to him, the war in Israel “could end tomorrow.”

He stated, “It could end today if Hamas surrenders, lays down all its arms, releases all the hostages. It’s over in a moment.” He said, “We think we can give Gaza a different future,” The Times of Israel reported.

The conflict in Gaza started after Hamas launched an attack on Israel in 2023, in which some 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage. In response to the Hamas attack, Israel vowed to destroy the group.

Hamas is still holding 50 hostages, including 49 of the 251 abducted on October 7, and the body of a soldier killed in 2014. They include the bodies of at least 28 confirmed dead by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF). 20 are believed to be alive, while concerns have been raised regarding the well-being of two others. (ANI)Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel is “very close” to achieving its goals in Iran, having inflicted significant damage to its ballistic missile program and its nuclear facilities, The Times of Israel reported.

Addressing reporters in a pre-recorded press conference on Sunday following the US strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, Netanyahu pledged not to let Israel get dragged into a “war of attrition” with Tehran but emphasised that it does not imply he would end the campaign until all the objectives are achieved.

“We won’t pursue our actions beyond what is needed to achieve [the goals], but we also won’t finish too soon,” vowing to avoid entering a war of attrition. Speaking to reporters, he said, “When the objectives are achieved, then the operation is complete and the fighting will stop.”

צפו במסיבת העיתונאים >> pic.twitter.com/MLn2LmQ3FD

— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) June 22, 2025

Netanyahu stated, “I have no doubt that this is a regime that wants to wipe us out, and that’s why we embarked on this operation to eliminate the two concrete threats to our existence: the nuclear threat and the ballistic missile threat. We are moving step by step towards achieving these goals. We are very, very close to completing them.”

He said that “very serious damage” has been inflicted on Iran’s nuclear site in Furdow. However, he did not mention the details regarding the extent of the damage. Regarding Iran’s nuclear program, he said, “We are sending them back, we are removing the threat.”

The Pentagon on Sunday announced that the US launched Operation Midnight Hammer and conducted “precision strikes” at three of Iran’s key nuclear facilities, including Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.

Asked about the whereabouts of Iran’s 400 kilograms of 60-per-cent enriched uranium, he claimed that Israel has “interesting intel” related to the issue. However, he refused to elaborate on the details.

Netanyahu said, “We’ve been following that very closely. I can tell you that it’s an important component of a nuclear program.” He said, “It’s not the sole component. It’s not a sufficient component. But it is an important component and we have interesting intel on that, which you will excuse me if I don’t share with you.”

About the timing of Israel’s campaign against nuclear facilities in Iran, Netanyahu said Israel “had to act” as Tehran was making efforts toward nuclear weaponisation after Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah’s killing in September 2024.

Israel’s PM mentioned Iran’s plans to build 300 ballistic missiles per month as a deciding factor to initiate the campaign at this time. According to him, over half of the ballistic missile launchers in Iran had been taken out in the past 10 days.

Netanyahu said he had shared his concerns with US President Donald Trump and told him of the need to act. He said, “I told him of our need to act, and he understood it very well. And I knew that when push comes to shove, he would do the right thing,” The Times of Israel reported.

Israeli PM said, “He would do the right thing for America. He would do the right thing for the free world. He would do the right thing for civilisation.”

Netanyahu insisted that the attacks in Iran would help Israel in achieving its goals in the Gaza Strip. He said, “Without the Iranian scaffolding, it all collapses.” According to him, the war in Israel “could end tomorrow.”

He stated, “It could end today if Hamas surrenders, lays down all its arms, releases all the hostages. It’s over in a moment.” He said, “We think we can give Gaza a different future,” The Times of Israel reported.

The conflict in Gaza started after Hamas launched an attack on Israel in 2023, in which some 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage. In response to the Hamas attack, Israel vowed to destroy the group.

Hamas is still holding 50 hostages, including 49 of the 251 abducted on October 7, and the body of a soldier killed in 2014. They include the bodies of at least 28 confirmed dead by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF). 20 are believed to be alive, while concerns have been raised regarding the well-being of two others. (ANI)

US President Donald Trump has claimed that “monumental damage” was inflicted upon nuclear sites in Iran and stressed that “obliteration is an accurate term”. He cited satellite images released of the nuclear sites to mention the damage caused to them.

In a statement shared on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump stated, “Monumental Damage was done to all Nuclear sites in Iran, as shown by satellite images. Obliteration is an accurate term! The white structure shown is deeply imbedded into the rock, with even its roof well below ground level, and completely shielded from flame. The biggest damage took place far below ground level. Bullseye!!!”

https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114730186433008075

Trump’s remarks come a day after the US launched Operation Midnight Hammer and conducted “precision strikes” at three of Iran’s key nuclear facilities, including Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.

In another post on Truth Social, Trump hinted at the possibility of “regime change” in Iran and questioned the ability of the current leadership to revive the nation.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated, “It’s not politically correct to use the term, ‘Regime Change,’ but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!”

He hailed the military’s performance, stating, “The damage to the Nuclear sites in Iran is said to be “monumental.” The hits were hard and accurate. Great skill was shown by our military.”

“The GREAT B-2 pilots have just landed, safely, in Missouri. Thank you for a job well done!!! DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES!” he said in another post.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the success of the operation launched by the US in Iran on Sunday. In a media briefing with Chairperson of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force General Dan Caine, Hegseth said that the US had successfully conducted precision strikes in Iran’s Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz.

“Last night, on President Trump’s order, the US Central Command conducted a precision strike in the middle of the night against three nuclear facilities in Iran – Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz – in order to destroy or severely degrade Iran’s nuclear programme. As Chairman of the Joint Chiefs will demonstrate, it was an incredible and overwhelming success,” he said.

Hegseth said that the orders from the US President and Commander-in-Chief were clear. They ‘obliterated’ Iran’s nuclear ambitions. “The order we received from our Commander-in-Chief was focused, it was powerful, and it was clear. We devastated the Iranian nuclear program,” he said. Hegseth said that the US did not target Iranian troops or civilians.

“But it’s worth noting that the operation did not target Iranian troops or the Iranian people,” he added. Hegseth, however, noted that the operation was “not and has not been about regime change” in Iran but to create a setback to Iran’s nuclear ambitions, as reported by The Hill. (ANI)

National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) has successfully completed a scheduled trial run of Namo Bharat trains on the entire Namo Bharat corridor between Delhi’s Sarai Kale Khan and Modipuram in Meerut, covering the full 82 km journey in less than an hour.

During this trial, the Meerut Metro trains also ran alongside Namo Bharat trains, and the system successfully completed its tests. This is a significant milestone in the operation of India’s first Namo Bharat corridor, which is being implemented between Delhi, Ghaziabad, and Meerut.

During the trial, Namo Bharat trains ran seamlessly across the 82 km stretch at their maximum operational speed of 160 km per hour.

The trains halted at every station between Sarai Kale Khan and Modipuram and completed the distance in less than an hour, as per the schedule targeted by NCRTC.

The Namo Bharat corridor is equipped with the world’s first deployment of an advanced ETCS Level 3 hybrid signalling system over an LTE backbone. This signalling system, integrated successfully with platform screen doors (PSDs) installed at every station, successfully completed testing without any interruption, highlighting the system’s readiness.

At present, a 55 km section of the corridor with 11 stations is already operational for passengers. Final finishing works and trial runs are progressing rapidly on the remaining portions — the 4.5 km stretch between Sarai Kale Khan and New Ashok Nagar in Delhi, and the approximately 23 km stretch between Meerut South and Modipuram in Meerut.

This milestone achieved by NCRTC is a significant indicator of progress toward the full commissioning of the Namo Bharat corridor.

Trial runs of the Meerut Metro between Meerut South and Modipuram Depot are also progressing rapidly. This is the first time in the country that local metro services will be provided on the same basic infrastructure as Namo Bharat trains.

The 23 km section of Meerut Metro consists of 13 stations, with 18 km of the route elevated and 5 km underground. (ANI)