Akshay Flaunts Gender-Fluid Fashion In Palazzo Pants

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 Praises Kubbra Sait’s Attitude Against Negativity

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)

Chiranjeevi Turns 70: Allu Arjun, Ravi Teja, Mahesh Babu Extend Heartfelt Wishes

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)

Salman Starts Shooting For ‘Bigg Boss 19’

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)

Sidharth, Janhvi Seek Blessings At Gurdwara Bangla Sahib

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 Files Police Complaint Over False Death Rumours

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)

Kolkata Metro Adds 3 Routes; Mamata Gets Nostalgic

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)

Annamalai

Annamalai On Vijay: Welcome Move, But Can He Sustain 5 Years?

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)

Rajnath Singh

Rajnath Slams Pak Army Chief’s Remarks As ‘Robber Mentality’

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)

‘A Person Can Be Both An Animal Lover And Sensitive To Stray Menace’

Saurabh Singh, a fitness enthusiast in Lucknow, says civic bodies alone cannot manage strays; animal lovers and residents groups must step it to find a middle path. His views:

I recently shifted to a newly developed area in Lucknow as the core city was getting crowded and cramped with each passing day. I chose this locality as it has green surroundings and ample public space to take walks at any given time of the day. However, as the rule of nature goes in our culture and country, public spaces are often shared by wandering canines, bovines etc.

There are times when these animals are often in conflict with one another over territorial issues or sharing of food. Such noisy fights can be a nuisance to the old and frightening to the young. However, in any progressive society, there must be a civilised way to deal with an issue and we cannot turn a blind eye to the plight of an abandoned, homeless creature, as happened in the case of Supreme Court earlier decision to cramp all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR into state shelter.

A permanent and a benevolent solution to such issues begin with expert scientific approach, backed by state machinery, skilled workforce and wherewithal. The other aspect is time. You cannot solve an issue of this magnitude in a matter of weeks, as directed earlier by the Supreme Court bench. How can any government or civic administration achieve such Herculean task with limited resources?

The statistics appearing in the media are mind-numbing. There are about 10 lakh stray dogs roaming on the streets of Delhi-NCR while the Municipal Corporation of Delhi only has a meagre 20 such facilities to treat or sterilize the abandoned dogs!

ALSO READ: ‘Stray Issue Can’t Be Dealt With A Knee-Jerk Decision’

Surprisingly, in 2024, the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court also took suo moto cognizance of the stray dog menace in Lucknow, registering a case to address the issue after a minor boy was mauled to death by a pack of strays. The court directed the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) to explain the steps being taken to curb the menace. The LMC was asked to explain the measures being taken to control the stray dog population and address the issue of attacks, including the implementation of Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023.

However, besides the increased activity of the animal-catching staff of the LMC and some hyper activities of various departments (which were highlighted in the local media for a few days), no concrete and visible action was taken and the situation remains the same in all the localities of Lucknow.

The responsibility for managing stray animals does not lie solely with the judiciary or the municipal authorities. Civil society organisations, residents welfare associations, animal rights activists and individuals have a collective role to play. Most of the Indian cities face similar challenges, where the stray dog population is the unintended consequence of inadequate waste management, urban sprawl, and a lack of robust sterilisation programmes.

The issue is a complex one with valid arguments on both sides. It is not a simple dichotomy between being an animal lover and prioritizing public safety. A citizen can be both an animal lover and concerned about public safety. Thus there is a strong need to establish or to derive a middle path for this.

As told to Rajat Rai