Month: September 2025

The trailer for Rishab Shetty’s much-awaited ‘Kantara Chapter 1’ has been unveiled.

On Monday, Hombale Films released the trailer, coinciding with the first day of Navratri.

The trailer opens with a focus on a child’s character, who tries to understand the mystery behind the disappearance of his father. It further progresses to shed light on the backstory – “a legend.”

In the trailer, a village is shown being tormented by a ruthless king, ‘Kulashekara’, when they are blessed with an angel of God to protect humankind.

With this, Rishab Shetty enters as the lead protagonist, fighting the enemies as he fearlessly takes a stand for the villagers. Amid a fierce clash with Kulashekara, the trailer also offers a glimpse into the blooming romance between Rishab and Rukmini.

The trailer concludes with a violent battle, set against the mystical struggle between nature and the supernatural.

“Some stories aren’t just told, they are experienced. Proud to unveil the Hindi Trailer of #KantaraChapter1, a film where folklore, faith & fury collide,” the makers said.

One of the most-anticipated releases of the year, ‘Kantara Chapter 1’ takes the audiences back to the roots of the story as shown in the first film. In a bid to carry the legacy, the makers have also curated an extensive war sequence with national and international specialists, involving over 500 skilled fighters and featuring 3,000 people.

The sequence was filmed in an entire town spanning 25 acres on rugged terrain, over a period of 45-50 days, making it one of the biggest sequences in the history of Indian cinema.

Written and directed by Shetty, the film has already built a lot of curiosity, with the trailer taking a notch higher.

It is scheduled for a worldwide release on October 2, 2025, in Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, Tamil, Bengali, and English. (ANI)

Emotional fans continue to turn up at the Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex to pay their last respects to Assam’s popular singer Zubeen Garg on Monday.

Visuals from outside the complex show people in large numbers waiting in long queues for the final glimpse of the music icon. Fans appeared visibly sad as they mourned the tragic passing of Zubeen Garg.

One of the fans spoke to ANI and expressed her thoughts. “What do I even say. I don’t have words to speak. The entire state is grieving. Ever since we heard the news, all of us have been crying. It was a shock for everyone. He was loved by all. May his soul rest in peace,” she said.

Another fan was seen breaking down in tears as she grieved the singer’s passing.

“It is a sad moment. He was a good human being. We are just speechless,” one said.

The last rites of Zubeen Garg will be conducted on Tuesday, September 23, at Kamarkuchi village, Sonapur. While addressing the media, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated, “We will carry the mortal remains of Zubeen Garg from Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex at around 8 am on September 23 to the location of Kamarkuchi, where the last rites will be conducted. A state funeral will be held on September 23.”

He also spoke about Garg’s death certificate, which mentioned the cause of death as “drowning.”

“The Singapore High Commission sent the death certificate of Zubeen Garg, and they mentioned the cause of death is drowning. But this is not a post-mortem report. The post-mortem report is different, and the death certificate is different. We will send the documents to CID. The Chief Secretary of the Assam Government is contacting the Singapore Ambassador to get the post-mortem report as soon as possible,” he said.

Zubeen Garg was in Singapore for the Northeast India Festival. His mortal remains were flown to Delhi and later transported to Assam. (ANI)

The Indian opening pair of Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill made history on Sunday, forming the highest partnership for India against Pakistan while opening in T20Is.

Abhishek and Gill stitched a partnership of 105 runs in just a little less than 10 overs during the run chase of 172 runs at Dubai.

They went past a stand between Gautam Gambhir and Ajinkya Rahane against Pakistan back in 2012 at Bengaluru, when they put up 77 runs while opening.

This was also the first-ever 100-plus run partnership for any team, for any wicket during the ongoing Asia Cup.

During the match, India won the toss and elected to field first. After Pakistan lost Fakhar Zaman, a quickfire 72-run stand followed between Sahibzada Farhan (58 in 45 balls, with five fours and three sixes) and Saim Ayub (21 in 17 balls, with a four and six) put Pakistan ahead. Later, knocks from Mohammed Nawaz (21 in 19 balls, with a four and six) and Faheem Ashraf (20* in eight balls, with a four and two sixes) took Pakistan to 171/5 in 20 overs.

Shivam Dube (2/33) was the pick of the bowlers for India, while Kuldeep Yadav and Hardik Pandya got one each.

During the run-chase of 172, Abhishek Sharma (74 in 39 balls, with six fours and five sixes) and Shubman Gill (47 in 28 balls, with eight fours) took Pakistan out of the game in the first ten overs. While Haris Rauf (2/26) tried to fight it out for Pakistan, Tilak Varma (30* in 19 balls, with two fours and two sixes) and Hardik (7*) took India to a win with seven balls left.

Abhishek secured the ‘Player of the Match’ award for his explosive knock. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday extended greetings for Navratri to the nation and wished for “new strength and faith” among the citizens.

In a post on X, PM Modi said, “Infinite Navratri greetings to all of you. May this sacred festival, filled with devotion, courage, restraint, and determination, bring new strength and new faith into everyone’s life. Jai Mata Di.”

Sharadiya Navratri is a vibrant and sacred Hindu festival that spans nine nights, celebrating the divine feminine energy embodied by Goddess Durga. Observed in the lunar month of Ashwin, this festival is marked by fervent worship, elaborate rituals, and cultural performances.

As each day is dedicated to a different form of the goddess, symbolising various aspects of strength, compassion, and wisdom, PM Modi added that Monday is dedicated to Maa Shailputri.

“Today, during Navratri, is a special day for the worship and rituals of Maa Shailputri. My wish is that, with the Mata’s affection and blessings, everyone’s life may be filled with good fortune and good health,” he wrote.

During the course of nine days, devotees engage in fasting, singing devotional songs, and participating in traditional dances like Garba and Dandiya, creating a joyful atmosphere.

Meanwhile, later today, the Prime Minister will visit Tripura and perform pooja and darshan, and inaugurate the development work of ‘Mata Tripura Sundari Temple Complex’ at Matabari.

He will be on a visit to Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura, where he will lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth over Rs 5,100 crore at Itanagar. He will also address a public meeting. (ANI)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly opposed the UK, Canada, and Australia’s move to recognise Palestine and said that there will be no Palestinian state to the west of the Jordan River.

In a strongly worded statement published in PMO, condemning the move, PM Netanyahu vowed to give a response to countries after his US visit.

“There will be no Palestinian state. The response to the latest attempt to force upon us a terror state in the heart of our land will be given after my return from the United States,” Netanyahu said.

Netanyahu alleged that by recognising Palestine, they are “rewarding terror with an enormous prize,” expressing his determination not to let this happen.

“I have a clear message to those leaders who are recognizing a Palestinian state after the horrendous October 7 massacre: You are rewarding terror with an enormous prize. And I have another message for you: It’s not going to happen. There will be no Palestinian state to the west of the Jordan River. For years I have prevented the creation of that terror state, against tremendous pressure, both domestic and from abroad,” he said.

“We have done this with determination, and with astute statesmanship. Moreover, we have doubled the Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria, and we will continue on this path,” he added.

Australia, Canada and the UK, in a coordinated effort, recognised the Palestinian State on Sunday, calling for a two-state solution.

However, the triad said that Hamas must cease its existence immediately. “Australia formally recognises the independent and sovereign State of Palestine. In doing so, Australia recognises the legitimate and long held aspirations of the people of Palestine to a state of their own,” Australian Prime Minister’s Office stated in a statement.

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned the action by the countries, stating that it would jeopardise the security in the region and is contrary to what it sought to achieve.

“Israel categorically rejects the one-sided declaration of the recognition of a Palestinian state made by the United Kingdom and some other countries. This declaration does not promote peace, but on the contrary – further destabilizes the region and undermines the chances of achieving a peaceful solution in the future. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. (ANI)

US President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk were spotted sitting side by side at the memorial service of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

The two were observed speaking in a private suite during the service, with a White House social media account highlighting their interaction.

Elon Musk also shared a post on X with Trump in which he wrote, “For Charlie.”

This marks the first public encounter between Trump and Musk since Musk resigned from his position as a special government employee under tense circumstances. Musk had served as head of the Department of Government Efficiency until late May, when he criticised the administration’s signature policy bill, calling it “fiscally irresponsible”.

Following Musk’s departure, a series of social media posts from the Tesla CEO sharply criticising Trump prompted the former president to threaten the cancellation of federal contracts with Musk’s companies. The memorial appearance represents a notable thaw in their previously strained relationship, The Hill reported.

Vice President JD Vance delivered moving remarks at the memorial service, calling on supporters to honour Charlie Kirk’s life by continuing his fight for faith, truth and country, saying to do so “for Charlie.”

“I’ve seen … so many on social media talk about ‘for Charlie.’ We must do this for Charlie. For Charlie, we will speak the truth every single day. For Charlie, we will rebuild this United States of America to greatness. For Charlie, we will never shrink, we will never cower, and we will never falter, even when staring down the barrel of a gun,” Vance said.

Vance described Kirk as both a patriot and a man of deep faith, saying, “You, my friends – for Charlie – we must remember that he is a hero to the United States of America, and he is a martyr for the Christian faith. May our heavenly Father give us the courage to live as Charlie lived.”

Vance also called out people who celebrated Kirk’s death, “In the wake of his death, we have seen some of the very worst parts of humanity. We have watched people slander him. We have watched people justify his murder and celebrate his death,” The Vice President said.

Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, in an emotional speech, forgave Tyler Robinson, who allegedly shot Kirk at Utah Valley University on September 10.

“I forgive him, I forgive him because it is what Christ did, The answer to hate is not hate,” she said.

Erika Kirk also quoted Jesus on the cross, saying “Father, forgive them, for they not know what they do.”

31-year-old right-wing commentator and founder of Turning Point USA, Charlie Kirk, was fatally shot in the neck while speaking at Utah Valley University on September 10, as reported by The New York Times. Authorities arrested 22-year-old Tyler Robinson in connection with the killing, with officials in Trump’s administration saying that he had left-leaning political views. (ANI)

The forces of the IDF’s (Israel Defence Forces) 36th “Ga’ash (Rage)” Division began their entry into Gaza City as part of Operation Gideon’s Chariots II after about two weeks of raising readiness for another round of combat against Hamas and other terror groups there.

In recent days, under the leadership of the divisional fire centre, dozens of terrorist targets in the Gaza Strip have been attacked with the aim of isolating the fighting area and allowing the manoeuvring forces to enter the area, said the IDF. (ANI/TPS)

From Akshay Kumar to Raveena Tandon and Tiger Shroff, several members of the Indian film industry on Sunday attended the screening of the musical saga ‘Mera Desh Pehle: The Untold Story Of Shri Narendra Modi’ at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre.

Akshay posed with Tiger at the screening. Both looked dapper as they arrived in black suits.

Actor Vikrant Massey also attended the screening of the musical ‘Mera Desh Pehle’.

Actor Raveena Tandon was also spotted arriving at the event.

Excited about attending the musical, filmmaker Vipul Amrutlal Shah told ANI, “..This will be a very beautiful play, and we will get to learn about some new aspects of the life of PM Modi. We are very excited…”

Vipul was accompanied by his wife and actor Shefali Shah.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis also attended the music saga.

Speaking to media, he shared, “Through today’s program, some aspects of PM Modi will be shown about which people don’t know much…The program is being organised in six big cities of the nation. People from all sections of society are participating in this program.”

Earlier on September 17, on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 75th birthday, a grand musical presentation, “Mera Desh Pehle”, was organised at KD Jadhav Hall, Indira Gandhi Stadium, in the national capital. (ANI)

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir on Sunday condemned the recognition of a Palestinian state by the UK and Canada and called for the crushing of Palestine.

Gvir said that he will submit an application demanding sovereignty in Judea and Samaria.

In a post on X, he said, “The recognition by Britain, Canada, and of a “Palestinian” state, as a reward for theukhba murderers, demands immediate countermeasures: the immediate application of sovereignty in Judea and Samaria and the complete crushing of the “Palestinian” terror authority. It is my intention to submit a proposal for the application of sovereignty to the upcoming government meeting.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country “won’t commit suicide” by welcoming a Palestinian state “because of Europe’s political needs,” Sky News reported.

Spokeswoman Shosh Badrosian shared the comments in remarks during a short news conference.

“There have been media reports suggesting the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is planning on announcing the UK’s recognition of a Palestinian state today, a manoeuvre that Prime Minister Netanyahu has called absurd and simply a reward for terrorism,” she said, as quoted by Sky News.

“The Prime Minister has made it very clear to me that his message to nations that are taking the avenue to disregard the sheer, utter chaos Hamas has thrusted Gaza into, and Israel, including our soldiers families and, of course, hostages still held in Hamas captivity, that the people of Israel aren’t going to commit suicide because of the political needs of European politics,” she added, as per Sky News.

Israel has been vocal in opposing the British decision and those taken by other Western nations.

Badrosian also confirmed that Netanyahu will be travelling to New York for the UN General Assembly in the week when some nations will be announcing a recognition of Palestine to put forth his case. (ANI)

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said that popular singer Zubeen Garg who passed away in Singapore earlier this week “will be accorded a befitting farewell” that justifies his “legacy”.

The Chief Minister also inspected a proposed cremation site in Sonapur and took stock of the preparation ahead of the singer’s final rites.

Posting on social media platform X, the Assam CM wrote, “Our #BelovedZubeen will be accorded a befitting farewell, one that justifies his legacy as one of Assam’s biggest cultural icons. I inspected the proposed cremation site in Sonapur a while back to oversee the preparations where Zubeen will be laid to the final rest.”

The singer’s mortal remains were brought from New Delhi to Guwahati, where thousands of emotional fans gathered to pay their respects.

In Guwahati, people lit candles in his memory, mourning the loss of the beloved artist.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita received the singer’s body at the Indira Gandhi International Airport and paid their tributes.

The singer’s body arrived at the IGI Airport in the national capital from Singapore and was taken to Guwahati, on a special flight.

Earlier, CM Sarma stated that the ‘Ya Ali’ singer’s remains would be kept at the Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex in Sarusajai in Guwahati today for fans and well-wishers to offer their last respects.

“The Government of Assam, with deep sorrow, informs that the mortal remains of Shri Zubeen Garg–an artist larger than life, a cultural icon, filmmaker, and the eternal heartthrob of millions–will be kept at the Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex (Sarusajai Stadium) tomorrow, September 21, from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, for friends, followers, and admirers to pay their last respects. All are requested to extend their cooperation in ensuring that the final journey of Assam’s beloved son is conducted with dignity and becomes a farewell to be remembered for all time,” the tweet read.

Meanwhile, the Assam government has announced a three-day state mourning in the wake of the death of singer Zubeen Garg. The Assam CMO stated that there will be no official entertainment, ceremonial programs, or public celebrations during this period. (ANI)