Month: March 2026

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and Actor Vijay on Wednesday refuted the rumours suggesting that the party will form an alliance with other major political parties, saying TVK is with social and secular justice and won’t compromise it.

While participating in TVK’s Iftar party, Vijay said, “We are the people’s team. They tried a lot, but it didn’t work out. Now they took a fake campaign that we will be going to this alliance and that alliance. I want to tell clearly that we are always with secular and social justice, and we will not compromise on it. The government will be led by us. Whoever spreads rumours, don’t believe it. We can achieve our target for sure.”

Earlier on Monday, Joint General Secretary and Chief Spokesperson of TVK CTR Nirmal Kumar urged not to believe any rumours related to the alliance.

“Do Not Believe Rumours! Recently, certain false reports have been deliberately circulated in some media outlets and on social media for political gain. In particular, the claims that alliance talks are being held between the BJP/AIADMK, or VK Sasikala and Dr. S. Ramadoss with Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam are completely untrue,” he said.

He emphasised that “no discussions whatsoever have taken place at any level with the above-mentioned parties or political leaders.”

Kumar also highlighted that similar unfounded narratives had previously linked TVK with various parties, including the Indian National Congress.

He noted, “It is widely known that those claims were also baseless. Nevertheless, such unfounded reports are now being spread again by members of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam solely to create confusion among the public and our party workers.”

Urging caution, he appealed to the media and social media users, saying, “We request responsible media organisations and social media users not to share such rumours without verifying the authenticity of the information. Truth will prevail!”

TVK’s statement comes amid heightened speculation and political manoeuvring in Tamil Nadu ahead of the upcoming 2026 Assembly elections.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu will go to the polls in a single phase on April 23, with counting of votes scheduled for May 4.

The main electoral contest is expected between the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA), which includes Congress, DMDK, and other parties, and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) with BJP and Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) as allies.

Actor-turned-politician Vijay is set to make his political debut in this election with his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. (ANI)

Director Aditya Dhar on Wednesday issued an apology to audiences after last-minute cancellations and delays disrupted paid previews of ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’ across multiple regions, assuring fans that Hindi shows were running as scheduled, while regional dubbed versions will resume shortly, offering refunds or alternate options where required.

In a statement shared on X, Dhar wrote, “To our dear Dhurandhar family, Dhurandhar is not just a film for us – it is something we have lived with, nurtured, and dreamed of sharing with each and every one of you, together, at the same moment, in every language.”

Clarifying the status of screenings, Dhar added, “Most of our Hindi shows across India are running as scheduled from 5 pm onwards. All of our Tamil and Telugu shows will commence from 9 pm onwards. However, due to unforeseen technical difficulties, our Malayalam and Kannada shows will begin from tomorrow morning.”

He further informed fans, “If the dubbed version you have tickets for is not currently playing at your cinema, you will have an option for a refund or to watch the Hindi version with subtitles instead. We truly apologise for the inconvenience. Your love for this film means the world to us, and we cannot wait to share it with you.”

The filmmaker concluded by expressing gratitude to audiences and reassuring them that Team Jio Studios and B62 Studios are committed to delivering a smooth viewing experience.

Earlier, fans of ‘Dhurandhar 2’ faced disappointment as paid preview shows in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana were reportedly cancelled just hours before their scheduled start.

AGS Cinemas in Chennai shared the update on X, stating, “We regret to inform that the Tamil paid previews of Dhurandhar: The Revenge scheduled for today have been cancelled. Refunds will be initiated shortly. Thank you for your patience.”

Broadway Cinemas updated fans about the cancellation, “Dhurandhar: The Revenge – Tamil paid previews scheduled for this evening have been cancelled due to non-availability. Hindi paid previews will be scheduled instead. We are initiating the refunds shortly. We apologise for the inconvenience.”

Reports suggested that the cancellations are primarily affecting regional dubbed versions and select international screenings where the required print files failed to arrive in time.

The much-anticipated paid previews faced widespread disruption across India, with major chaos reported in Mumbai as well.

Several netizens were quick to express shock over the ordeal they faced.

‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’ is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on March 19. The film will open during the festive window of Eid, Gudi Padwa, and Ugadi, positioning it for a major box-office debut. In line with its pan-India ambitions, the spy action film will release in multiple languages, including Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam.

‘Dhurandhar’ was released in theatres on December 5 last year and went on to become the highest-grossing film of 2025. The film has since achieved cult status and rewritten box-office history, surpassing ‘Pushpa 2: The Rule’ to emerge as the highest-grossing Hindi film of all time. (ANI)

‘Bollywood actor and performer Nora Fatehi on Wednesday finally broke her silence on the controversy surrounding her recent song ‘Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke’ from the film ‘KD: The Devil’.

The dancer-actor shared a detailed video message on Instagram, where she explained her side of the story, alleging she had no role in the Hindi version of the song.

In the video shared by the bollywood actor, Nora said she had shot the song a few years ago and had agreed to it because it was part of a big project and also featured veteran actor Sanjay Dutt.

Explaining why she initially agreed to the project, the actor said the opportunity to work with such a well-known actor was one of the reasons she signed the song.

“When I shot this song three years ago, I said yes to it because it was a part of a big film, it was with a big icon, Sanjay Dutt, who would say no to working with him? He’s such an icon. And it was a remake, at least that’s what I thought, of ‘Nayak Nahi Khalnayak Hoon Main’, which is also a very iconic song,” Nora said.

She further alleged that when the makers explained the translation of the song to her at the time, nothing seemed “inappropriate” or “vulgar.” However, she clarified that she does not understand Kannada and had relied entirely on what the team told her.

“When they were translating the song, nothing seemed inappropriate or vulgar when they were translating the song to me. But then again, I don’t understand Kannada, so I just rely on whatever they’re telling me. Whatever they’ve done right now, which is creating a Hindi version and dubbing the voice in Hindi and having those lyrics, which are very inappropriate, I had no idea about that. They didn’t take any approvals; they didn’t take any permission from me,” she said.

The actor also claimed she noticed problems during the launch event of the song. According to Nora, she saw a Kannada lyrical version being played, which used photos that she had not “approved.” She also claimed that an AI-generated image of her and Sanjay Dutt was shown, which she said she was not comfortable with.

“When I was invited for the launch at the event, I sat there and I saw the Kannada version, which, first of all, I had a major issue with because they didn’t take any approvals from me when they created that lyrical version. They used very unflattering photos, and if anyone knows me, they know that I have to approve all my photos. They put this lyrical version without my approval and they put it out there,” Fatehi said.

“Then they created an image of Sanjay Dutt, which was AI-generated, and me, which I’m already against AI, so I was already feeling really irritated at the event when I saw what I saw. I have to be respectful regardless. I’m in the presence of media, I’m in the presence of filmmakers, people who give me opportunities, so I have to carry myself in a certain way,” she added.

Nora further alleged she was internally “conflicted” after seeing the presentation at the event. She added that when the Hindi version of the song was played, she immediately felt there could be problems and “backlash.”

“However, internally, I was really conflicted with what I was seeing. Then they played the Hindi version. Now, when they played the Hindi version, I knew it was a wrap. I knew we were going to have issues because at least I understand Hindi. I told the director, this is not going to be okay. This is going to get a lot of backlash. I disassociated myself with the project. As you can see, I didn’t promote it at all,” the actor said.

“I again flagged it for the director. I said, my image and reputation are on the line. Here’s the thing. As artists, especially artists like me, we don’t really have this backing. We’re not nepo kids. We don’t come with a certain power behind us. It’s just us. We’re just individuals and the audience which is behind us. We have little power. We have little control,” she added.

Concluding her message, Fatehi urged the media and social media pages to hold filmmakers accountable when controversies around songs or content arise, rather than directing attention solely at the artists involved.

“Also, just a side note to the media and to the pages that are consistently talking about this situation. If it bothers you guys so much, then you need to hold the filmmakers and the people who create such content accountable. You start using their name and images when such controversies arise,” Nora said.

“You start bombarding their name and images to the audience because then only will they have some sort of fear and they will feel some sort of accountability and some sort of responsibility when they create content. If you’re only going to bombard the audience with just the artist’s name and image, it’s counterproductive because we don’t have control of such scenarios,” she added.

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The song has faced criticism from several public figures, including actor-politicians Ravi Kishan and Kangana Ranaut, as well as singer Armaan Malik. Members of the Haryana and Karnataka Women’s Commissions have also raised objections to the lyrics.

It was unveiled at a recent launch event attended by Nora Fatehi, director Prem, composer Arjun Janya, Rakshitha, Reeshma Nanaiah and the film’s lead star Dhruva Sarja.

Produced by Venkat K Narayana under KVN Productions and presented by the same banner, KD: The Devil is a period action entertainer inspired by real events from 1970s Bangalore.

The movie features Dhruva Sarja in the titular role alongside Sanjay Dutt, Shilpa Shetty Kundra, Ramesh Aravind, Reeshma Nanaiah and V Ravichandran.

The film is scheduled for a theatrical release on April 30, 2026. (ANI)

Amid the rising popularity of K-dramas among Indian youth, especially Gen Z, director Ra. Karthik’s ‘Made in Korea’, starring Priyanka Mohan, has been released at a timely moment. According to the director, it is the first Indian film to be shot entirely in South Korea.

In an interview with ANI, Karthik and Mohan spoke about bringing an Indian story with a Korean touch to the screen, filming abroad and discovering that language difference doesn’t matter in the reflection of human emotions.

“It’s super excited. We’ve been waiting for this day. It’s been almost one year since we started,” Priyanka Mohan told ANI, recalling the day her team first landed in Korea for recce. “So, exactly on March 12th… It’s a special day. Looks like a very special day.”

The actress shared anecdotes from the shoot and her connection to Korean culture. “My makeup artist is also from Mumbai. He had gotten the plas, so I used to keep it in the fridge and have it almost every other day. It reminded me of home while being there,” she said. Priyanka added, “By the end of the film, we all became a family… even though we had that language barrier in the beginning, we realised you don’t need language for human emotions. Korea is a beautiful, vivid country. The people were so cordial and supported us in every way. We had a blast every day on set.”

The director also reflected on the challenges and joys of filming abroad. “Initially, the first two-three days were a little struggle… language difference, weather, coordinating with the crew, that was slightly difficult. After that, I think all is okay,” Ra. Karthik said. Highlighting the creative process, he noted, “In the writing stage, we create the characters… but on set, daily, I’m meeting new strangers, new junior artists… every international shoot has difficulties. But the collaboration between the Indian and Korean teams made it very rewarding.”

Drawing parallels to iconic Indian films, Karthik said, “In Indian cinema, I felt ‘Queen’ and English Vinglish were very good references for this kind of story.” Priyanka explained how she approached her character: “I re-watched these films, but for my character alone, I didn’t want to take direct references in terms of acting or body language. I wanted her to be original.”

With the rise of OTT platforms, the duo highlighted the film’s global reach. “People from different countries and cultures can watch the film. It’s dubbed in 14-15 languages with almost 37 subtitle options,” Karthik said. Priyanka added, “OTT platforms are bringing the world closer. Today, I can watch a French or Mandarin movie easily. We are catering to all kinds of audiences.”

The film also taps into the growing popularity of Korean culture in India, especially among Gen Z. “Anyone who enjoys emotional, character-driven stories will connect with it,” Karthik added.

Set against the everyday pulse of Tamil Nadu and Seoul, Made In Korea follows Shenba as she navigates unfamiliar streets, unexpected turns, and new faces that slowly shape her journey. Through moments of vulnerability, quiet courage, and unexpected connections, the trailer offers a stirring yet emotional glimpse of a young woman finding her footing in a world far from home.

Made in Korea premiered on March 12, exclusively on Netflix. (ANI)

In a significant relief to homebuyers, a Special Court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in Gurugram has ordered the restitution of immovable properties worth Rs 650 crore to 2,312 genuine buyers in the SRS Group case.

The order, passed on March 11 by the Special Judge, PMLA, paves the way for returning flats and plots across multiple projects developed by the SRS Group.

These include SRS City, SRS Pearl Floor, SRS Pearl Tower, SRS Residency, SRS Royal Hills, SRS Prime Floor, SRS Pearl Unity, SRS Affordable Housing Project, SRS Pearl Height, and SRS Retreat Farms.

The case stems from an extensive probe by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which initiated an investigation based on 81 FIRs registered across Faridabad, Delhi, and by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The SRS Group has been accused of defrauding investors and banks of approximately Rs 2,200 crore.

As per ED, the group, engaged in real estate and financing, allegedly duped homebuyers, plot purchasers, banks, and financial institutions through fraud, criminal conspiracy, and breach of trust. Investigations revealed that investors were lured with promises of high returns and attractive residential and commercial projects.

The agency further found that funds collected from investors were routed through hundreds of shell companies created by the group and subsequently laundered. A provisional attachment order worth Rs 2,215.98 crore had earlier been issued in the case.

The ED also filed a prosecution complaint on August 29, 2022, and the Special Court took cognisance on October 31, 2022. Charges were formally framed against the accused on November 3, 2025.

Officials said the latest order marks a crucial step toward justice, enabling restoration of attached properties to other legitimate claimants, including banks and financial institutions.

In related developments, three accused, Praveen Kumar Kapoor, Sunil Jindal, and Jitender Garg — were earlier declared proclaimed offenders. The ED had sought assistance from Interpol to issue Red Corner Notices.

Following such a notice, Kapoor was denied entry at Newark International Airport in the United States and deported to India on November 2, 2025. He is currently lodged in Neemka Jail in Faridabad. Meanwhile, Jindal and Garg have been declared fugitive economic offenders by the court as of January 15 this year.

Earlier, the ED had facilitated the return of 78 flats worth Rs 20.15 crore to homebuyers. With the latest order, the total value of restored properties in the case has reached approximately Rs 670 crore.

The trial in the matter is currently underway. (ANI)

Director Aditya Dhar has urged audiences to avoid sharing spoilers and stay in their seats until the end credits roll when watching ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’, teasing a possible post-credits surprise as the film prepares for its worldwide theatrical release on March 19, 2026.

The filmmaker shared the message in a heartfelt post accompanied by a personal letter addressed to fans of the franchise. The sequel will arrive in cinemas across multiple territories during the festive period of Gudi Padwa, Ugadi and Eid, and will release in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam, positioning it as a major pan-Indian theatrical event.

In his letter, Dhar reflected on the overwhelming reception to the original ‘Dhurandhar,’ which released on December 5, 2025 and went on to become India’s highest-grossing film of the year.

“You didn’t just watch our film. You loved it. You lived it. You appreciated every quiet detail, debated every moment, rewatched it and noticed things I never even thought anyone would,” he wrote.

The filmmaker credited fans for turning the project into a global success story.

“Somewhere in that beautiful, unpredictable journey, our film became yours. Then the nations. And then the world’s!,” he wrote.

As excitement builds around the sequel, Dhar made a direct appeal to audiences to preserve the theatrical experience by avoiding spoilers once the film releases.

“PLEASE DON’T SHARE SPOILERS! Let every single fan walk in clueless but curious and walk out with their own deeply personal version of what they felt,” he wrote.

He emphasised that the film was designed to be experienced collectively in theatres.

“We’ve put our hearts into Dhurandhar The Revenge so you can experience every twist, every emotion, exactly the way it’s meant to be felt. In a theatre, in the dark, surrounded by friends, family, and even strangers,” Dhar wrote.

Adding to the intrigue, Dhar ended his post with a cryptic line advising audiences not to leave before the credits finish, a hint that has sparked speculation online about a possible post-credits scene and potential expansion of the franchise.

Reacting to the same, a fan wrote, “Hahaha oh gosh – excitement levels are at peak!!!”

Another social media user wrote, “To avoid spoilers on social media i booked a ticket on 18 only.”

A third fan commented, “2000 crore ke baad baat karte hain Aditya bhai.”

Aditya Dhar’s wife and actor Yami Gautam also commented, “My Dhurandhar,” with a heart emoticon.

The sequel stars Ranveer Singh, who reprises his role as undercover agent Jaskirat Singh Rangi, operating deep inside the criminal underworld under the alias Hamza Ali Mazari.

The trailer suggests a darker narrative as the character navigates a complex terror network while attempting to dismantle it from within.

The film features an ensemble cast including Arjun Rampal as Major Iqbal, Sanjay Dutt as SP Chaudhary Aslam and R. Madhavan as Ajay Sanyal. Actor Akshaye Khanna, who portrayed gangster Rehman Dakait in the first instalment, is also part of the franchise’s larger narrative world.

Paid previews for ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’ will be released on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, starting from 5:30 pm onwards across India. The official wide release follows tomorrow, March 19, 2026.

Ahead of the film’s release, Singh made a high-energy appearance at the movie’s music launch event in Mumbai on March 17, where he was greeted with loud cheers from fans.

During his interaction with the audience, the actor asked attendees about their favourite songs from the first film. When fans shouted out different tracks, Singh said the varied responses reflected the film’s wide appeal.

“See, this is what makes it special. Everyone has different favourites,” he said.

Expressing gratitude for the response to the franchise, Singh added:

“Our entire team is so happy and excited. Also, we are so humbled and grateful for the response to the first part of the film.”

The actor noted that anticipation for the sequel has exceeded expectations.

“We are so humbled with the kind of excitement and anticipation that we have seen for the second part; it is unprecedented,” he said, adding that audiences beyond India are also eagerly waiting to watch the film.

The buzz around the sequel has also intensified with the release of the track ‘Aari Aari,’ a high-energy number featuring pulsating beats, powerful vocals and rap sections.

‘Dhurandhar 2’ has maintained its status as one of the most anticipated movies of the year, as the 2025 action-espionage thriller ‘Dhurandhar’ shattered several long-standing Indian box office records. It emerged as the highest-grossing Hindi film of 2025 and established itself as one of the most successful Indian films of all time. (ANI)

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Kangana Ranaut on Wednesday questioned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his alleged behaviour with other parliamentarians, accusing the Leader of Opposition (LoP) Lok Sabha of “heckling” those giving interviews.

Speaking with ANI, Ranaut said, “We, the women, get very uncomfortable seeing the way he (Rahul Gandhi) conducts himself. He walks in like a ‘tapori’ and heckles those giving interviews. He should see the conduct and behaviour of his sister, which is very good. Rahul Gandhi himself is a shame.”

Her remarks come after 84 former bureaucrats, 116 veterans and four lawyers wrote an open letter, asking Rahul Gandhi to apologise over the incident of him having tea and biscuits at the Makar Dwar entrance to Parliament.

Led by the former Jammu and Kashmir DGP SP Vaid, the signatories stated that the March 12 incident was “deeply concerning” and reflected “conscious disregard for parliamentary authority.”

Speaking with ANI, SP Vaid said that Rahul Gandhi’s behaviour in Parliament is not becoming of a Leader of the Opposition and shows a “sense of entitlement and arrogance”.

“84 former bureaucrats, 116 veterans and former lawyers have addressed this letter to the public stating that Rahul Gandhi’s behaviour in Parliament is not becoming of a Leader of the Opposition, which is a very responsible post. His behaviour shows a sense of entitlement and arrogance. He indulges in theatrics; he sits on the steps of the Parliament and sips tea amid slogannering. I think Rahul Gandhi does not understand the importance of the post of LoP,” he said.

He demanded an apology from Rahul Gandhi, urging him to fulfil the role of a responsible LoP.

“We want him to understand this and apologise to the nation for all that has happened until now. Despite Speaker Om Birla appealing to him to maintain the dignity of the house, Rahul Gandhi doesn’t understand. He has made a laughingstock of himself. We want him to fulfil the role of a responsible LoP. There should be humbleness, not arrogance & sense of entitlement. What happened on 12th March was deplorable. Rahul Gandhi must understand his responsibility, because people listen when he speaks. The aspirations of the nation rest on the discussion that takes place in the Parliament and the laws emerging from it,” he said.

The letter by the signatories stated that Parliament is not a venue for spectacle or political theatre, and Rahul Gandhi’s conduct represents a clear disregard for established norms of behaviour and decorum. (ANI)

Congress MP Imran Massod on Wednesday hit back at sitting Nagaon MP Pradyut Bardoloi’s allegations, asserting that there is no Hindu-Muslim issue. He said Bardoloi’s personal agenda had failed, adding that Congress in Assam focuses on party work, not religion, and questioned whether Bardoloi’s departure would make any difference to the party.

Masood, who represents Saharanpur in the Lok Sabha, is a part of Congress’s screening committee for the upcoming Assam elections.

Speaking to ANI, Masood responded to the allegation said that there was no personal resentment against him.

“There is no personal resentment against me, but it is their personal agenda. In Assam, we are working for Congress. I submitted the correct report to the party. They are not upset with me. It is just that their personal agenda has failed. In Assam, the entire play is about money.

He added, “Priyanka had met everyone, including Pradyut bhai, but it was he who decided to leave. Most leaders in Congress are Hindu. Is Pradyut’s leaving making any difference? Isn’t Gaurav not there? This is not about Hindu-Muslim. It was only his agenda.”

“These kinds of things during the elections are not good. There is some resentment during elections, but we will ensure that everything goes well.”

Massod’s remarks came after Pradyut Bordoloi, who officially joined the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) said his decision was driven by persistent internal humiliation and a lack of support from the party leadership.

Referring to a specific Assam Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting, Pradyut Bordoloi said he felt hurt after Imran Masood dismissed his allegations against a candidate whom he accused of running a criminal nexus, as “fabricated”.

Speaking to ANI, Bordoloi explained his departure, “There is no one reason. I was feeling suffocated, and I was being humiliated”.

“I came to know that a communal leader like Imraan Masood said that everything I was talking about and saying about a candidate against whom I had given evidence of a criminal nexus was false and fabricated. Imran Masood, in the presence of the party’s top leadership, had the audacity to say that all that Pradyut Bordoloi said was fabricated. The APCC president present there remained silent. This hurt me a lot,” said Bordoloi.

Earlier, Bordoloi had accused the Congress leadership of sidelining him, which led to the end of his lifelong association with the Congress party amid allegations of internal mistreatment.

He clarified that the resignation stemmed from “multiple issues” as opposed to a singular ticket allocation for the Assam Assembly elections.

“For me, getting a ticket was not a question of life and death. There were multiple issues. What was important for me was to hold my head high. The Congress party has given me a lot,” he told the media.”

I want to make it very clear that I am in my second term in Lok Sabha, and there are another three years to go. I could have accepted the humiliation if I wanted to remain as an MP. But I decided to leave and work,” he added.

Following Bordoloi’s resignation, Congress has fielded his son from the Margherita Assembly constituency for the upcoming Assembly polls.

Elections in Assam for all 126 Assembly constituencies will be held in a single phase on April 9, while the counting of votes is scheduled for May 4, the Election Commission of India announced on Sunday.

Assam will witness a fight between the incumbent BJP-led NDA government and Congress for the 126-seat assembly. The BJP government, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, will look to secure a third consecutive term, while the Congress aims to defeat the ruling party to return to power. (ANI)

Hearing in the cheque bounce case involving Bollywood actor Rajpal Yadav commenced before the Delhi High Court on Wednesday, where the court extended his interim bail till the next date of hearing, taking note of substantial payments made by him to the complainant company.

The matter was taken up by Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma. At the outset, counsel for Yadav informed the Court that a regular bail application had been filed and that the interim protection granted earlier was expiring today. He submitted that a total of Rs 4.25 crore has already been paid to the complainant company, M/s Murli Projects Pvt. Ltd., and a further demand draft of Rs 25 lakh was being handed over.

Taking note of the payments made, the Court observed, “You have paid a substantial amount, therefore we are not sending you back to jail,” and accordingly extended Yadav’s interim bail till the next date of hearing.

During the proceedings, the Court questioned Yadav regarding the loan involved in the dispute. In response, the actor, who was present in person, admitted that he had taken the loan. The Court noted that multiple opportunities had been granted earlier to clear the dues, but they were not complied with.

Addressing the Court, Yadav stated that in 2016, he had been directed to pay around Rs 10.40 crore and had even produced documents relating to a property worth Rs 28 crore belonging to a friend. He further claimed that despite making partial payments, including Rs 2 crore, the complainant was not interested in accepting the remaining amount and instead wanted him to be sent to jail.

He told the Court that he was subsequently sent to Tihar Jail and remained there for about three months. Yadav added that once he underwent incarceration, the financial situation deteriorated further. He also submitted that a film project involving an investment of Rs 22 crore had suffered heavy losses, stating that nearly Rs 17 crore was lost.

Earlier, the High Court had suspended Yadav’s sentence till March 18 after he deposited Rs 1.5 crore, subject to conditions including furnishing a personal bond and surrendering his passport.

The case arises out of multiple cheque dishonour complaints in which the trial court had sentenced the actor. While relief had been granted earlier to facilitate settlement, the High Court had taken a stricter view in the past over non-compliance with payment undertakings.

With interim relief now continuing, the matter is scheduled to be taken up for further hearing on April 1, when the Court is expected to hear arguments on the main petition. (ANI)