Month: August 2025

The India Meteorological Department on Friday issued an orange alert for Uttarakhand, forecasting thunderstorms/lightning and very intense rain at different places of the state.

The alert has been issued, which remains in effect till Saturday afternoon.

According to the Meteorological Department, “In the next 24 hours (Orange Alert from 22.8.2025, 2:05 PM to 23.8.2025, 2:05 PM) there is a possibility of thunderstorms/lightning and very intense rain at different places in Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri, Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Nainital, Almora and Udham Singh Nagar such as Kotdwar, Rishikesh, Gangotri, Kashipur, Kedarnath, Joshimath, Mussoorie, Munsyari, Lohaghat, Ranikhet, Khatima and adjoining areas”.

An orange alert is issued when heavy rainfall is anticipated, typically exceeding 115.6 mm and up to 204.4 mm within 24 hours.

Earlier, the Thal-Munsyari and Munsiyari-Milam roads were closed in Pithoragarh, said the Pithoragarh Police and urged people to stay on alert in areas prone to rain and landslides.

In a tweet on X, the Pithoragarh District Police said, “Closed Road Routes – Thal – Munsyari route is closed, Munsyari – Milam route is closed. All other national/state highways are open. Stay alert in areas prone to rain and landslides.”

Roadblocks due to landslides and falling stones are common in Uttarakhand, causing disruptions and leading to loss of life as well.

On Wednesday, two people died after debris fell from a mountain on the Gangotri Highway in the Dabrani area of Uttarkashi, said Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.

CM Dhami shared a post on X, saying, “The extremely sad news has been received of the death of two people in an incident of debris falling from the mountain on the Gangotri Highway in the Dabrani area (Uttarkashi).”

Meanwhile, multiple agencies, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Police, Revenue, Health, Food Supply, and Public Works Department (PWD), are working to open the recently formed lake in the Harsil area as soon as possible.

Heavy rains and debris have blocked the flow of the Yamuna River, leading to the formation of this lake at Syanchatti in Barkot tehsil. The water has now reached the residential area, adding more problems to the existing ones. (ANI)

Bollywood star Akshay Kumar never shies away from experimenting with sartorial choices. And with his latest appearance at the Mumbai Airport, the ‘Kesari’ actor promoted gender-fluid fashion in palazzo pants. Isn’t it cool?

On Friday, Akshay was captured by paps before he entered the airport. He happily posed for the shutterbugs, flaunting his breezy look.

In the visuals circulating on social media, Akshay could be seen wearing a black t-shirt paired with Homme Plisse Issey Miyake pants.

He elevated his casual look with tinted glasses.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Akshay will be next seen in the much-awaited ‘Jolly LLB 3’ opposite Arshad Warsi. The teaser for the third instalment was unveiled on August 12, giving a glimpse into the funny yet intense clash between both the actors.

Saurabh Shukla is also returning as Judge Tripathi.

‘Jolly LLB 3’ will be released on September 19, 2025.

In 2017, Akshay and Huma Qureshi starred in ‘Jolly LLB 2’, a sequel to Jolly LLB, released in 2013. The first film featured Arshad and Saurabh Shukla in the lead roles. Amrita Rao also starred in the first part. (ANI)

Kajol, who is set to share the OTT screens with Kubbra Sait in the second season of legal drama ‘The Trial’, praised the actress for her positive attitude towards criticism and negativity.

At the trailer launch of ‘The Trial Season 2’, Kajol lauded Kubbra’s positive attitude, calling it one of the “rare” qualities of a person in today’s life.

While interacting with the media, Kajol said, “Kubbra is one of those rare people, actually, who handles criticism, witticism, but any sort of negativity with such a wonderfully positive attitude that it doesn’t turn out to be that eventually. She turns it into something else. So I think that’s something that I truly admire about her.

Meanwhile, the makers of Kajol starrer web series ‘The Trial’ have finally released the trailer of its second season on Friday.

Kajol, who essays the role of Noyonika Sengupta, a lawyer in the series, is back to tackle new cases and manage a detoriating marital relationship with her husband, Rajiv Sengupta, played by Jisshu Sengupta, after he was arrested for corruption and sex scandal in the first season.

The two-minute and eleven-second trailer opens with Kajol throwing a photo frame of her picture with her husband Rajiv, signifying the tensions between their marriage.

It was followed by their arguments, which led to Kajol asking for a divorce. It was followed by Kajol’s powerful portrayal of a lawyer as she takes on new cases.

The novel fact of the second season includes Jissu’s entry into politics, which further creates challenges in his marital relationship with Kajol as the opposition tries to resurface his scandal to win the elections.

At the end, Kajol is seen challenging a politician as a mother after her daughter was hospitalised due to their brutal schemes to win elections.

The new season is set to stream from September 19, 2025.

Directed by Umesh Bist and produced by Banijay Asia, the series also stars Sonali Kulkarni, Sheeba Chadha, Alyy Khan, Kubbra Sait, Gaurav Pandey, and Karanvir Sharma. (ANI)

Megastar Chiranjeevi turned 70 on Friday and on the occasion, the ‘Vishwambhara’ star received heartfelt wishes from his family members, colleagues, and fans from across the country.

Taking to his X handle, actor Allu Arjun wrote, “Happy Birthday to our one and only Mega Star Chiranjeevi garu.”

Actor Venkatesh Daggubati also penned a heartwarming note for Chiranjeevi and added, “Happy Birthday, dear @KChiruTweets! Wishing you abundant health, happiness, and many more wonderful years ahead.”

Ravi Teja expressed his love for the megastar and wrote, “Happy birthday annaya @kchirutweets. Love you always.”

Mahesh Babu also took to his Instagram story and shared an old picture with the actor. “Happy Birthday Chiru sir. Wishing you good health, happiness and many more glorious years ahead,” he wrote.

Actress Nayanthara, who will be seen alongside Chiranjeevi in Anil Ravipudi’s upcoming film ‘Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu,’ reshared the film’s title announcement on her Instagram story, writing, “Happy Birthday sir.”

Chiranjeevi also received a heartfelt wish from his brother, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan. In his response, the actor wrote, “The birthday wishes sent with love have reached me. Every word… every letter has touched my heart. The pride you feel seeing me as your elder brother… I, as your elder brother, equally cherish your victories and your struggles. I am constantly proud watching your dedication and determination. The burning desire to do something for those who believe in you continually gives you new strength.”

On the other hand, Ram Charan dropped a heartwarming video from his father’s birthday celebrations. He wrote, “Today is not just your birthday NANA, it’s a celebration of the incredible man you are. My hero, my guide, my inspiration. Every success I’ve had, every value I carry, comes from you.”

Wishes also poured in from celebrities, including Prabhudeva, Adivi Sesh, Suniel Shetty, Varun Tej Konidela, and filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga, among others, as fans celebrated the legendary actor’s milestone birthday. (ANI)

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has commenced his hosting duties for the upcoming edition of reality TV show ‘Bigg Boss’.

On Friday, Salman was spotted on the sets of BB 19, looking dapper in a black tuxedo.

Have a look at his pictures here

The theme of Bigg Boss 19, “Gharwalon Ki Sarkaar,” brings a fresh political angle to the show, placing the contestants’ power struggles and alliances at the heart of the game.

A few days ago, the makers released the show’s teaser in which Bhaijaan was seen dressed in a Nehru jacket, flanked by black cat commandos, representing the power struggles expected this season.

As per a press note, Salman, while speaking about the new twist, says, “I have been a part of Bigg Boss for a very long time now and as we all know, Bigg Boss reinvents the game every year, aur iss baar, it is gharwalo ki sarkar. And when too many people start pulling the strings, it’s bound to get messy. That’s when the cracks show, and the house turns into a warzone. After all these years, I can honestly say I’m just as kicked as you are to see how it all plays out.”

The show will stream on JioHotstar at 9:00 pm and air on COLORS TV at 10:30 pm from August 24. (ANI)

Bollywood stars Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor have been on a promotional spree for their upcoming film ‘Param Sundari’.

On Friday, the actors visited iconic places in Delhi and met with their fans. From indulging in famous rajma chawal and chole bhature at Jain Chawal Wale in Connaught Place to savouring cotton candy at India Gate, Sidharth and Janhvi immersed themselves in Delhi’s culinary scene.

After treating their taste buds to Delhi Ka Khana, the actors visited Gurdwara Bangla Sahib and offered prayers.

A few days ago, Sidharth and Janhvi visited Lucknow and tried the famous chaat there.

Sanjay Kapoor and Manjot Singh also have prominent roles in the film. The trailer for the film was unveiled recently, promising a perfect mix of romance, comedy, and action.

The Tushar Jalota directorial marks Sidharth and Janhvi’s first project together as co-stars, and their romantic chemistry in the trailer is captivating. What follows is a riot of fun and chaos when Sidharth, a Punjabi munda from Delhi, falls in love with Janhvi, a girl from Kerala.

Sharing his experience working in the film, Sidharth said, “With Param Sundari, I feel like I’m revisiting the kind of romance I grew up loving, but telling it in a way that feels fresh and relatable. Param has that Delhi boy charm, with a love story that makes you cross worlds. We wanted it to look as beautiful as it feels, and Kerala’s magic really made that happen. I hope the audience feels the same warmth and joy we felt while making it.”

Janhvi opened up about portraying ‘Sundari’, expressing how her character’s deep connection to her roots resonated with her own South Indian heritage.

“Sundari is deeply personal to me. Her grace, quiet strength, and love for her roots resonate with my own South Indian heritage. Shooting in Kerala, surrounded by such beauty, I felt an emotional connection to her world that I hope the audience will feel too,” she shared.

The film will be out in theatres on August 29. (ANI)

Actor Raza Murad has filed an official complaint at Mumbai’s Amboli Police Station on Friday, alleging that a false social media post about his death was circulated online, leaving him “exhausted” from repeatedly clarifying the rumours.

The veteran actor said the “rumour” left him deeply disturbed and forced him to repeatedly clarify that he is alive.

Speaking to ANI, Raza Murad claimed that someone had shared a social media post declaring him dead. He said the post even mentioned his date of birth and a “fake date of death,” along with a tribute.

“There are some people who, for reasons I don’t understand, seem bothered by my existence. They posted about my death and even offered condolences. They wrote that I had worked for many years, but now no one is there to remember me. They even mentioned my birthday and a fake date of death in that post. This is a very serious matter,” Murad said.

The actor added that he has been worn out by the constant need to clarify the misinformation. “My throat, tongue, and lips have dried up from telling people that I am alive. This false news has spread everywhere. I am getting calls and messages from across the world. People are even sending me copies of the post,” he said.

Calling the incident “shameful,” Murad criticised the person behind the rumour. “Whoever has done this must have a very bad mentality. He appears to be a very small person, someone who has never accomplished anything significant in his life. That is why he enjoys doing such cheap things,” he added.

Murad confirmed that the police are taking his complaint seriously. “They have accepted my complaint and are filing an FIR. They assured me that they will get to the bottom of this and catch the person responsible. Legal action will be taken against him,” he said.

He further urged action against those responsible for spreading such falsehoods. “This should stop now. It is not only about me. Celebrities are often declared dead while they are still alive. This is wrong, and whoever does this should be punished,” he added.

Raza Murad is widely recognised for his remarkable career spanning over 250 films in Hindi, Bhojpuri, and various regional languages since the 1970s. Renowned for his deep baritone voice, he is equally celebrated for his portrayal of both formidable villains and empathetic, brotherly characters. Murad has left an indelible mark in films such as ‘Prem Rog’ and ‘Padmaavat.’ (ANI)

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday took to X to share a post detailing her contribution to Kolkata’s metro expansion on the same day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Kolkata to flag off new services.

The Chief Minister did not attend the Prime Minister’s unveiling of infrastructure projects, including three Metro services in Kolkata.

Her post on X read, “Allow me to be a little nostalgic today. As the Railways Minister of India, I was fortunate in planning and sanctioning a series of Metro Railway corridors in metropolitan Kolkata. I had drawn the blueprints, arranged the funds, initiated the works and ensured that the different ends of the city ( Joka, Garia, Airport, Sector V, etc) were connected by an intra-city Metro grid. Later, as the Chief Minister of West Bengal, I had the additional privilege of taking part in the execution of the projects.”

“From the State, I arranged free land, paved roads, arranged rehabilitation of displaced people, removed impediments, and ensured all help in the execution of projects. Our Chief Secretaries successively held a series of coordination meetings to ensure the integration of the execution agencies. My planning as Railways Minister got fulfilment in my participation in execution. Expanding Metro infrastructure has been a long journey for me. Allow me some nostalgia today,” the West Bengal CM posted.

The Trinamool chief had held the railway portfolio in the NDA government under Atal Bihari Vajpayee between 1999 and 2001, and during the Congress-led UPA-2 from 2009 to 2011.

Meanwhile, PM Modi visited the Jessore Road Metro Station in Kolkata, where he flagged off the Noapara-Jai Hind Bimanbandar metro service from Jessore Road.

In addition, through video conferencing, he also flagged off the Sealdah-Esplanade metro service and the Beleghata-Hemanta Mukhopadhyay metro service.

At the public function, the Prime Minister inaugurated these metro sections and a newly constructed subway at Howrah Metro Station.

The Noapara-Jai Hind Bimanbandar metro service will significantly improve access to the airport. The Sealdah-Esplanade metro will reduce the travel time between the two points from nearly 40 minutes to only 11 minutes.

The Beleghata-Hemanta Mukhopadhyay metro section will play a crucial role in enhancing connectivity with the IT hub. These metro routes will connect some of Kolkata’s busiest areas, bring a notable reduction in travel time, and strengthen multimodal connectivity, benefiting lakhs of daily commuters. (ANI)

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Tamil Nadu president K Annamalai on Friday said that although the BJP and actor-turned-politician Vijay are ideologically opposite, his political entry is welcomed.

Speaking to reporters, Annamalai acknowledged the popularity of Vijay, who leads the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), but questioned whether he could sustain political engagement for a full term.

“As far as Vijay is concerned, people may come today and applaud him when he comes for a rally. But people will think while voting. Can he effectively engage in politics for five years? People will think a lot when it comes to votes. All political parties claim that their main enemy is DMK, which reflects the prevailing mindset of the people. Although we welcome Vijay’s political arrival, we are ideologically opposite,” Annamalai said.

He further claimed that the BJP, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has gained increasing public support in the state.

“The leaders of the National Democratic Alliance are united with us. The public has accepted the BJP as a powerful party. People voted for the National Democratic Alliance by 18 per cent in the last election. As far as Tamil Nadu is concerned, people have placed immense faith in the BJP and the Prime Minister,” he said.

The BJP leader also highlighted the Union government’s efforts to secure the release of Indian fishermen and criticised Vijay for not speaking out earlier on the Katchatheevu issue.

“The BJP government is continuously rescuing imprisoned fishermen. Does Vijay know? The government is taking tickets for the rescued fishermen and bringing them home at their own expense. Does Vijay know that the number of fishermen who have died in gunfire has decreased since Modi took over as Prime Minister?”

“Vijay kept acting in the film. He even played a fisherman’s friend. He didn’t talk about Katchatheevu at that time. He is talking about it now, after 50 years of not talking about it…” Annamalai added.

Earlier on Thursday, TVK chief and actor Vijay addressed a conference for TVK party workers in Madurai.

The TVK president held the party’s second state conference in Madurai, marked by a massive show of strength as party workers gathered in large numbers to participate in the rally.

Speaking at the event, TVK Chief accused Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) of being in a “secret alliance” with the BJP.

The actor-turned-politician lambasted Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin over the law and order situation in the state.

“Uncle Stalin, if you have a conscience, please answer the questions we are asking. In the government you are running, is there honesty? Is it free from corruption? Is law and order being maintained properly? Are women and the general public safe? Tell us, my dear uncle, tell us,” Vijay said.

“DMK government is secretly maintaining ties with the BJP. When DMK is in the opposition, they shout ‘Go back Modi!’ but once they are in power, (they) welcome Modi. DMK has a secret alliance with the BJP. Does drama as if they are opposing the BJP,” he added.

Vijay intends to present his party, TVK, as a third front in Tamil Nadu politics, an alternative to both the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the opposition All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). (ANI)

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said that Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir’s recent remarks comparing India and Pakistan’s economic conditions amount to an admission of failure and display the “robber mentality” of Pakistan.

Addressing the Economic Times World Leaders’ forum 2025, Singh said Munir’s remarks attempting to compare India with a luxury car and his own country with a dump truck was nothing but a confession of Pakistan’s failure.

The Union Minister said that after Operation Sindoor, such a doubt should never have arisen in Pakistan.

“The Chief of the Pakistan Army, knowingly or unknowingly, has pointed towards a robber mentality, which Pakistan has been a victim of since its birth…We must break this delusion of the Pakistani Army. Due to ‘Operation Sindoor,’ such a delusion should not have arisen in their minds in the first place,” he said.

Singh said that the spirit of defending India must never die.

“But we must ensure that alongside India’s prosperity, our culture, and our economic prosperity, our defence capabilities and the spirit to fight for our national honour remain equally strong. We must ensure that in our civilisation, in our nation, that fighting spirit remains alive,” he said.

Singh said that if the statement were a warning from Pakistan, then India is prepared to give it a befitting reply.

“I consider this statement of Asim Munir as a confession. I do not consider his statement as mere troll material… If we do not pay attention to the historical indication behind this serious warning, then it can become a matter of concern for us. And yes, if we pay attention to this and prepare for it, then India is capable of giving a befitting reply to such warnings,” he said.

“I would like to draw your attention to the statement given recently by Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir. He said, “India is a shining Mercedes coming on the highway like a Ferrari, but we are a dump truck full of gravel. If the truck hits the car, who is going to be the loser?” India’s economy is like a Mercedes and a Ferrari running on the highway. He said, I am not saying. Pakistan’s economy is like a dump truck full of debris. Now you people know the answer to this,” Singh said.

He further said that this statement by Munir backfired as people questioned him that if India and Pakistan gained independence at the same time, why does India manage to be a ‘Ferrari’ but Pakistan was just a dumper truck.

“Now, Asim Munir was trolled a lot for this statement both inside Pakistan and all over the world. Everyone said that if two countries got independence at the same time and one country built a Ferrari-like economy through hard work, right policies and foresight and the other is still in a dumper state, then it is their own failure,” Singh said.

Earlier on August 14, India hit out at Pakistan over recent nuclear war threats by its Army Chief, cautioning that any misadventure would have “painful consequences” as demonstrated in the past.

“We have seen several statements and reports regarding the continuing pattern of reckless warmongering and hateful comments from Pakistani leadership against India,” Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during the weekly briefing. (ANI)