Month: March 2026

Sanya Malhotra has kick-started working on her new film titled ‘Sundar Poonam’.

On Tuesday morning, Sanya took to Instagram and shared several pictures from the film’s muhurat puja.

In the images, she could be seen posing with her ‘Sunder Poonam’ team including actors Aditya Rawal and Aditya Seal.

“#SundarPoonam It begins,” Sanya captioned the post.

‘Sundar Poonam’ was officially announced at Prime Video’s slate event in Mumbai on March 19.

Speaking of the project, Sanya, in a press note, stated, “Sundar Poonam is an incredibly exciting film for me as it brings me face-to-face with one of the most challenging roles I’ve taken on so far. It pushes me into an unexplored space as an actor. The character is layered, intense, and emotionally demanding, which instantly drew me in. Collaborating with Vikram and Abundantia Entertainment has always been incredibly fulfilling, and after Shakuntala Devi, I’m excited to begin a new chapter with them and Prime Video. Pulkit is an exceptionally talented director, and his sensitivity towards storytelling adds so much depth to the narrative. I’m looking forward to starting this journey and sharing a new side of myself with the audience.”

Speaking about the project, Vikram Malhotra, Founder & CEO, Abundantia Entertainment, said: “Our partnership with Prime Video has consistently enabled us to tell stories that are distinctive, disruptive, and resonate with a wide audience. With Sundar Poonam, we are further strengthening this partnership by bringing a gripping romantic thriller that features Sanya Malhotra, one of my favourite actors, in a never-seen-before avatar. Inspired by chilling true events, the story is both compelling and entertaining, and I am excited to collaborate with Pulkit, whose work I have deeply admired, to bring this brilliant story to life.”

‘Sundar Poonam’ is being directed by Pulkit. (ANI)

Aditya Dhar’s ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’ has been the talk of the town ever since it hit the theatres on March 19.

While the Ranveer Singh-starrer has smashed several box office records, it also sparked debate among audiences, particularly for the portrayal of several real-life events in the film.

Ever since the release of the film, there is a certain section of people who believe that the character named Atif Ahmed is based on the real life UP politician and former gangster Atiq Ahmed, who was shot dead in 2023. In the film, the character of Atif is shown to be working alongside Pakistan’s ISI and Underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.

Amid the growing controversy, Samajwadi Party MP Afzal Ansari hit out at the makers of ‘Dhurandhar 2’ for cashing in on a real life individual to earn money at the box office.

Speaking to ANI, Afzal said, “I have not watched that film. Film industry comes with their own stories. The screenplay is not based on true incidents. They issue a disclaimer. But theyonly think about how their film will succeed…. When they want to avail benefit, sell film tickets and get relief from government, they can throw up any name in the air. They portrayed Atiq Ahmed’ character and perhaps declared him an ISI agent. He is no more. But those who are still alive have made up a false ‘baikunth’ here and executed crime with Dawood Ibrahim by his side…No film is being made on them. So, the public can understand all of this…”

On the other hand, Surya Kumar, former IG of Prayagraj, reacted the criticism over Atiq Ahmed’s portrayal in the film, saying, “It often happens that such individuals act as ‘well-wishers’… much like he used to distribute money to many people. He would provide funds for things like weddings to cultivate his public image…As far as political parties are concerned, he would either donate massive sums… or use his influence to suppress anyone who stood against them. In short, his dominance had become so absolute that a mere message from him was enough to strike terror… However, the police never showed him any leniency. Case after case was registered against him relentlessly. I recall when he had 42-43 cases… eventually, that number climbed to 65… Previously, people were terrified… Given his deep political connections, having eventually become an MP, he managed to escape punitive measures…Yet, as the saying goes, the ‘cup of sin’ eventually overflows. The Yogi government initiated a comprehensive crackdown.”

‘Dhurandhar 2’ also blends several other real-life events with its fictional storyline, including the 2016 demonetisation, when the Indian government withdrew the legal tender status of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.

Produced by Jio Studios and B62 Studios, ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’ also features R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, Gaurav Gera, Sara Arjun, and Rakesh Bedi (ANI)

Delhi HC dismisses plea by RJD chief and former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav seeking quashing of CBI FIR in the alleged land-for-jobs case, saying the plea is devoid of merit. The bench of Justice Ravinder Dudeja passed the order.

The petition had challenged the FIR registered in 2022 as well as three chargesheets filed in 2022, 2023 and 2024, along with the orders by which cognisance was taken.

Yadav argued that the entire proceedings were legally invalid due to the absence of prior sanction under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Appearing for Yadav, senior advocate Kapil Sibal submitted that the alleged acts were carried out while he was serving as Railway Minister and therefore fell within the scope of his official duties. He argued that prior sanction was mandatory before initiating any enquiry or investigation in such cases.

Opposing the plea, additional solicitor general S.V. Raju, appearing for the CBI, contended that no such sanction was required. He argued that decisions regarding appointments were taken by general managers and not by the Minister directly, and therefore, the protection under Section 17A would not apply.

The court had earlier heard detailed arguments from both sides and had also granted time to file written submissions before delivering its verdict.

The case relates to alleged irregular appointments to Group D posts in the West Central Zone of the Indian Railways, based in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, during Yadav’s tenure as Railway Minister between 2004 and 2009. The CBI has alleged that jobs were given in exchange for land parcels transferred in the name of Yadav’s family members or associates.

The FIR was registered on May 18, 2022, against Yadav and others, including his wife, two daughters, unidentified public officials and private persons.

In his plea, Yadav also raised the issue of delay, stating that the FIR was lodged nearly 14 years after the alleged incidents, despite earlier enquiries having been closed with a report submitted before a competent court. He claimed that reopening the case without disclosing earlier closure reports amounted to abuse of the legal process.

The petition further alleged that the investigation was politically motivated and violated his right to a fair investigation. It contended that initiation of the probe without mandatory approval under Section 17A rendered the entire proceedings void from the outset.

However, the High Court rejected these arguments, holding that the plea lacked merit and allowing the investigation and proceedings in the case to continue. (ANI)

Pakistan’s efforts to revive its declining cotton sector have hit another setback as the proposed merger between the Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC) and the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) remains stuck in bureaucratic limbo, despite receiving legal clearance earlier this month, as reported by Dawn.

According to Dawn, the Ministry of Law cleared the merger draft on March 4 and directed the Ministry of National Food Security and Research to move the summary forward for approval. However, officials have yet to act, leaving the process stalled without explanation and raising concerns among stakeholders about governance inefficiencies.

The merger, first approved in principle by the federal cabinet and Establishment Division in January 2025 with a June deadline, was designed to consolidate cotton research and improve productivity. Yet, more than a year later, the absence of formal notification has exposed persistent administrative inertia.

Khalid Mahmood Khokhar, President of Kisan Ittehad Pakistan, criticised the delay, blaming the bureaucracy for prioritising perks over research funding. He pointed out that while resources are available for administrative expenses, the scientific community continues to face neglect.

Financial disputes have further complicated the issue. The PCCC has historically depended on a cess collected from the textile sector, but research activities suffered a major blow after the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma) stopped payments in 2014.

Experts argue that the industry is unwilling to fully fund research while still seeking control over institutional decisions, as highlighted by Dawn.

Muhammad Asif, Vice Chancellor of Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Agriculture University, stated that Aptma appears reluctant to bear administrative costs despite its interest in governance. Meanwhile, textile representatives have raised concerns about past misuse of funds, claiming that only a small portion of cess collections was spent on research.

Despite directives from Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar to accelerate the process, there has been no visible progress, as reported by Dawn. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that India has sufficient crude oil reserves and robust arrangements for continuous supply amid the ongoing West Asia conflict.

He highlighted the expansion of strategic petroleum reserves and increased refining capacity, as global trade through the Strait of Hormuz faces disruptions.

Addressing the Rajya Sabha, PM Modi said, “…In the last 11 years, strategic petroleum reserves have been developed to more than 53 lakh metric tonnes, and work is underway to expand them to over 65 lakh metric tonnes. Additionally, India’s refining capacity has also been significantly increased in the last decade. I want to assure the House and the country through you that India has adequate crude oil storage and arrangements for continuous supply.”

“The Hormuz Strait is one of the largest routes for global trade. A significant amount of transport related to crude oil, gas, and fertilisers takes place through this region… Our endeavour is to ensure that oil and gas supplies reach India from wherever possible. The country is witnessing the results of such efforts. In the past few days, ships carrying crude oil and LPG from several countries have arrived in India. Our efforts in this direction will continue in the coming days as well,” PM Modi said.

Prime Minister said that India has expanded its energy import sources from 27 to 41 countries over the past decade and is working to reduce dependence on any single fuel, while accelerating domestic gas distribution, including piped natural gas and LPG, across the country.

“…Any crisis tests both our courage and our efforts. To ensure that the country can face such challenges effectively, continuous decisions have been made over the past 11 years. The diversification of energy imports is part of these efforts. Earlier, for energy needs such as crude oil, LNG, and LPG, imports were sourced from 27 countries. Today, India imports energy from 41 countries,” he said.

“Our government is making efforts to ensure that we do not have excessive dependence on any one source of fuel. The government is also focusing on PNG, along with LPG, in the domestic gas supply. In the last decade, unprecedented work has been done on PNG connections in the country. In recent days, this work has been further accelerated,” he said.

Prime Minister said that the ongoing conflict has disrupted global economies, causing significant losses, and stressed that India is taking continuous measures to limit the impact on the country.

“The current crisis has shaken the economies of the entire world. The losses incurred in West Asia so far will take a long time for the world to recover from. Continuous efforts are being made to ensure that India is minimally affected by this,” PM Modi said.

He said that the government has made all necessary preparations to ensure adequate fertiliser availability for farmers during the upcoming sowing season.

“I am fully confident that through collective efforts, we will be able to face the situation better. The government is also making efforts to ensure that farmers receive adequate fertilisers during the upcoming sowing season. The government has made necessary preparations to ensure a sufficient supply of fertilisers. The government is continuously striving to ensure that farmers do not bear the burden of any crisis,” he said. (ANI)

Two Indian LPG carriers, Jag Vasant and Pine Gas, have successfully transited through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, marking a significant movement in energy transport.

The vessels, carrying a substantial cargo of 92,612.59 MT of LPG, were seen in visuals as the Pine Gas LPG carrier crossed the critical maritime chokepoint.

Ensuring the operations of these massive carriers, the vessels have 33 and 27 Indian seafarers onboard, respectively, managing the transit through the area.

Following their successful passage, these vessels are now destined for India to bolster domestic energy supplies.

The carriers are likely to reach Indian ports between 26th and 28th March, completing their journey from the Gulf.

The Union Government on Monday announced that these two additional Indian-flagged LPG tankers have successfully navigated the conflict-prone Strait of Hormuz and are anticipated to arrive at Indian shores within the next forty-eight hours.

The vessels, identified as the Pine Gas and Jag Vasant, conducted their transit in close proximity to one another. The tankers commenced their journey from the Persian Gulf on Monday morning before traversing the strategic maritime passage.

According to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Special Secretary Rajesh Kumar Sinha, the ships are transporting approximately 92,000 tonnes of LPG.

These tankers were part of a group of 22 Indian-flagged vessels that became stranded in the Persian Gulf following the escalation of the West Asia conflict, which nearly closed the Strait of Hormuz–the narrow waterway between Iran and Oman that connects the oil and gas-producing Gulf countries to the rest of the world.

This successful movement follows the previous arrival of the MT Shivalik and MT Nanda Devi. Those vessels carried roughly 92,712 tonnes of LPG, an amount equivalent to “roughly a day’s cooking gas consumption of the country,” and have already reached Indian shores safely.

Emphasising the government’s commitment to maritime security, Sinha told reporters, “Ultimately, we want to secure safe passage of all our vessels that are stranded in the region.”

The official further noted that until the evacuation of all remaining ships is complete, the government remains dedicated to the personnel onboard. “Till safe passage happens, the well-being and safety of our seafarers is our prime focus,” Sinha added.

The safe transit of these energy carriers occurs against a backdrop of heightened regional tension, following earlier statements from Iran asserting it would not allow “enemy countries’ ships” to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India has sufficient crude oil reserves and robust arrangements for continuous supply amid the ongoing West Asia conflict.

He highlighted the expansion of strategic petroleum reserves and increased refining capacity, as global trade through the Strait of Hormuz faces disruptions.

Addressing the Rajya Sabha, PM Modi said, “…In the last 11 years, strategic petroleum reserves have been developed to more than 53 lakh metric tonnes, and work is underway to expand them to over 65 lakh metric tonnes. Additionally, India’s refining capacity has also been significantly increased in the last decade. I want to assure the House and the country through you that India has adequate crude oil storage and arrangements for continuous supply.”

“The Hormuz Strait is one of the largest routes for global trade. A significant amount of transport related to crude oil, gas, and fertilisers takes place through this region… Our endeavour is to ensure that oil and gas supplies reach India from wherever possible. The country is witnessing the results of such efforts. In the past few days, ships carrying crude oil and LPG from several countries have arrived in India. Our efforts in this direction will continue in the coming days as well,” PM Modi said. (ANI)

The Government of India has called for an all-party meeting on March 25 (Wednesday) at 5 PM on the West Asia crisis.

Earlier today, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired a review meeting in the wake of recent global and regional security events, and also to review India’s defence preparedness.

CDS General Anil Chauhan, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, General Upendra Dwivedi, Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Chairman Samir Kamat, and others were also present at the meeting.

The ongoing conflict in West Asia has entered its fourth week, disrupting trade routes through the Strait of Hormuz. Tensions escalated following the killing of 86-year-old Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in joint military strikes by the US and Israel on February 28.

In retaliation, Iran targeted Israeli and US assets across several Gulf countries, causing further disruptions to the waterway and impacting international energy markets as well as global economic stability.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to make a statement in the Rajya Sabha today on several aspects of the ongoing conflict and India’s energy security.

A day earlier, Prime Minister Modi addressed the Lok Sabha to brief members on the developments in West Asia and their potential impact on India. Describing the situation as “worrisome”.

He highlighted that the ongoing conflict poses unprecedented challenges that are not only economic and related to national security but also humanitarian.

The Prime Minister reflected on the global challenges which have emerged due to the conflict and India’s trade relations with countries in the West Asian region that were witnessing war, stating that a large part of the country’s need for crude oil and gas was met by the war-affected region. The opposition parties, on the other hand, called it a “master class in self-boasts and partisan dialogue-baazi (dramatic dialogue).”

“The situation in West Asia is worrisome. This conflict has been going on for more than three weeks. It has a severe impact on the global economy and the lives of the people, and that is why the world is urging all sides for an early resolution to this conflict,” PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister informed of India’s trade relations with countries in the West Asian region that were witnessing war, stating that a large part of the country’s need for crude oil and gas was met by the war-affected region.

He informed that the region also remains crucial as it provides a route for India’s trade with other countries as well. (ANI)

The Supreme Court has, in a landmark judgment, ruled that the systemic framework across the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force, in terms of career progression and growth, disadvantaged women officers as they were denied a fair chance at Permanent Commission (PC), which ensures better in-service and pensionary benefits.

A bench led by the Chief Justice of India Surya Kant ruled that women Army officers released from service (during the litigation of this case) will be deemed to have completed 20 years of qualifying service and will receive full pension with arrears from January 1, 2025, while directing grant of Permanent Commission (PC) to those still in service who met the 60% cut-off, subject to clearances.

In the Navy, it protected officers already granted PC and extended eligibility for PC to specified categories of women and even certain male officers who were earlier excluded. In the Air Force, it recognised flaws in evaluation and granted pensionary benefits as a one-time measure to those who were considered but not selected, while allowing others to pursue remedies.

In the Air Force, the Court further held that performance benchmarks were implemented hastily, vitiating the selection process, while in the Navy, it found a lack of transparency in evaluation criteria and vacancy disclosures.

The Court based its ruling on the finding that the entire evaluation system was structurally biased. It noted that Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs) were written on the assumption that women would not have long-term careers, leading to casual or unfair grading.

It also found that women were denied “criteria appointments” and “career enhancement courses” because they were earlier ineligible for PC, which directly lowered their merit when they later became eligible. (ANI)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s handling of the West Asia conflict, alleging that India has been sidelined in international negotiations and describing the PM as “compromised.”

Responding to a question on reports that Pakistan could be facilitating talks between Iran and the US, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition said, “Our foreign policy is Prime Minister Modi’s personal foreign policy. You can see the result of this. It’s a universal joke. Everybody considers it a universal joke.”

Gandhi went further, directly questioning PM Modi’s autonomy on the global stage and referring to US President Donald Trump.

“Donald Trump knows exactly what Mr Modi can do and what Mr Modi cannot do. So if the Prime Minister is compromised, our foreign policy is compromised. It’s obvious; everyone can see it. They did a US deal,” he said.

He also criticised the Prime Minister’s recent speech in Lok Sabha, adding, “Yesterday, he gave an irrelevant speech. I mean, he is the Prime Minister of India, it should be visible that he is India’s Prime Minister. What is the position? There is no position at all.”

Linking global tensions to domestic concerns, Gandhi warned that ordinary citizens could face economic hardship.

“And it’s a matter of sorrow that people will suffer for this. It has just started. LPG, petrol, fertilizer–there will be problems in everything. Okay, Modi ji said that a time like COVID is coming. He has forgotten what happened during COVID, how many people died, what tragedies occurred. Basically, there is no understanding,” Lok Sabha LoP further said.

The remarks come after Gandhi accused the government of mishandling the ongoing West Asia situation. Speaking earlier in Vadodara, he alleged that PM Modi avoided directly naming the US in his Lok Sabha address and claimed, “Narendra Modi is 100% under the control of Trump.”

He also asserted that the Prime Minister would not be able to face a parliamentary debate on the issue, saying, “I guarantee he cannot participate in a debate in Parliament because he is compromised.”

Meanwhile, in his Lok Sabha address on Monday, PM Modi described the West Asia conflict as “worrisome,” highlighting its potential economic, security, and humanitarian impact on India. He emphasised India’s dependence on the war-affected region for crude oil and gas and underscored the country’s diplomatic efforts to urge de-escalation.

The Prime Minister condemned attacks on civilians, commercial vessels, and blockages of key waterways such as the Strait of Hormuz.

Amid reports that talks between US and Iranian officials could be facilitated in Pakistan, the White House has downplayed speculation. US Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said no meeting should be considered final until officially announced.

“These are sensitive diplomatic discussions, and the US will not negotiate through the press. This is a fluid situation, and speculation about meetings should not be deemed as final until they are formally announced by the White House,” she said.

Meanwhile, US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum expressed confidence in Trump’s approach, stating, “President Trump is going to resolve it… he’s going to come out of this with a winning deal for Americans.” (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called for a united voice promoting peace and dialogue globally, as the ongoing West Asia conflict disrupts trade, energy supplies, and affects the safety of millions of Indians in the Gulf.

Addressing the Rajya Sabha, PM Modi said, “It has been more than 3 weeks since the war in West Asia started. The war has caused a serious energy crisis in the world. For India, too, this situation is concerning. The war has impacted our trade routes. With this, the routine supply of petrol, diesel, gas and fertilisers has been affected.”

The Prime Minister informed that since the outbreak of the war, he has held multiple phone discussions with leaders of the region and confirmed India’s continuous engagement with all Gulf countries, Iran, Israel, and the United States.

“Around one crore Indians live and work in the Gulf countries, and ensuring the safety of their lives and livelihoods is also a major concern for India. Many ships from around the world are stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, and a large number of Indian crew members are on board them, which is also a major concern for India. In such a difficult situation, it is necessary that from this Upper House of India’s Parliament, a united voice for peace and dialogue should go out to the entire world,” he said.

“Since the start of the war, I have held two rounds of phone conversations with the heads of state of most countries in West Asia. We are in continuous contact with all the Gulf countries, and we are also in touch with Iran, Israel, and the United States,” PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister said that India is prioritising the safety of its citizens during the West Asia conflict, noting that over 3,75,000 Indians have been safely evacuated so far, including more than 1,000 from Iran, while urging all sides to seek a peaceful resolution.

“Any threat to human life in this war is not in the interest of humanity, so India is making constant efforts to encourage all sides to reach a peaceful solution as soon as possible. In times of crisis, the safety of Indians both in the country and abroad is our top priority. Since the war began, more than 3,75,000 Indians have safely returned to India. From Iran alone, more than 1,000 Indians have returned safely so far, including over 700 young people who were studying medicine. Our government is working with full sensitivity during this time of crisis,” he said.

“Through diplomacy, India is trying to ensure safe commutation of the country’s ships even in a war situation. India has opted for a solution through dialogue to resolve this issue,” PM Modi said.

The ongoing conflict in West Asia has entered its fourth week, disrupting trade routes through the Strait of Hormuz. Tensions escalated following the killing of 86-year-old Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in joint military strikes by the US and Israel on February 28.

In retaliation, Iran targeted Israeli and US assets across several Gulf countries, causing further disruptions to the waterway and impacting international energy markets as well as global economic stability.

Meanwhile, today, Arab News has cited Israeli Media outlet Yedioth Ahronoth to report that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, was prepared to negotiate with the Americans.

Ahrnaooth cited a conversation between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US intermediary Steve Witkoff, which was approved by the highest level in Iran. (ANI)