The 24-year-old Tripura student, who was allegedly assaulted by a group of miscreants in the Selaqui area of Dehradun, Uttarakhand, succumbed to his injuries. Angel Chakma, was allegedly racially abused before being brutally thrashed.

According to the police, the incident took place on December 9 when Angel Chakma, an MBA student from Tripura, and his brother Michael Chakma had gone to buy groceries in the Selaqui area.

“Two students from Tripura, Angel Chakma and his brother, Michael Chakma, lived near Nanda Chowki in the Premnagar police station area. This incident happened on the evening of the 9th, when they had gone to Selaqui for some work,” police said.

They were allegedly stopped by a group of six men, who hurled racial abuses and called them “Chinki”, “Chinese” and “Momo”.

Angel, however, confronted them and said, he is Indian, and not Chinese. This escalated the situation, and the men allegedly attacked him with knives and other blunt objects. Angel succumbed to his injuries on Friday.

“A fight broke out between them, during which it is reported that they were attacked with knives and other blunt objects. As a result, they were seriously injured. Their brother took them to the hospital, and subsequently, an FIR was registered,” the police said.

Following the incident, the police arrested five people, including two juveniles.

“Those whose names came to light were arrested by the police. A total of five people have been arrested in this case. Three people — Avinash Negi, Suraj Khawas, and Sumit — were sent to jail. Two of them were juveniles and were sent to the correctional home,” the police added.

‘Those involved will not be spared’: CM Dhami

Following the incident, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated that such incidents are completely unacceptable and that the government will “deal strictly with anti-social elements”.

“Those involved in such crimes will not be spared,” Dhami said, according to a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office.

“So far, five accused have been arrested in connection with the murder of Angel Chakma, a student and resident of Nandanagar in Unakoti district of Tripura. Among them, two accused are minors and have been sent to a juvenile reform home. Police are continuously conducting raids to arrest an absconding accused, on whom a reward of Rs 25,000 has been announced. A police team has also been sent to Nepal in search of the absconding accused,” the CMO said.

Union Minister of Science & Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh, said on Sunday that the SHANTI Bill marks a historic reform in India’s nuclear sector, unlocking its potential for peaceful, clean and sustainable energy while maintaining uncompromising standards of safety, sovereignty, and public interest.

In a media interview here, the Minister emphasised that such a reform was inconceivable for over six decades and became possible only due to Prime Minister Modi’s ability to dismantle legacy taboos and align India’s policies with global best practices.

President Droupadi Murmu last week has granted assent to the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, passed by Parliament during the Winter Session. The Bill subsumes all laws dealing with the civil nuclear sector and also opens it up for participation by private players.

The SHANTI Bill repealed the Atomic Energy Act of 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, which had proved to impede the growth of the civil nuclear sector in India. The law enables private companies and joint ventures to build, own, operate and decommission nuclear power plants under a license from the government.

Dr Jitendra Singh said the Bill must be seen as one of the most significant science reforms of the Modi Government, noting that India has historically not framed scientific advancement within the reform narrative despite its decisive impact on future growth, industry, and global competitiveness.

He highlighted that while earlier reform phases were associated with landmark political and strategic decisions, Modi 3.0 will be remembered for breaking long-standing barriers in sectors that determine India’s technological and economic future.

Reiterating India’s long-standing commitment to peaceful nuclear use, Dr Jitendra Singh recalled that from the time of Dr Homi Bhabha, India’s nuclear programme was envisioned for development, healthcare, and energy security. The SHANTI Bill, he said, strengthens this foundational philosophy by enabling expansion for civilian purposes such as clean power generation, medical applications, and advanced research, while firmly excluding any deviation from peaceful intent.

Highlighting the demands of the emerging AI, quantum and data-driven economy, the Minister said nuclear energy is indispensable for providing reliable, round-the-clock power, unlike intermittent renewable sources. He noted that as India transitions away from fossil fuels and coal, nuclear energy will play a critical qualitative role in sustaining advanced technologies, digital infrastructure, and strategic sectors.

Dr Jitendra Singh also informed that India’s nuclear power capacity has doubled from about 4.4 GW in 2014 to nearly 8.7 GW today, with a clear roadmap to scale up substantially in the coming years.

He said the government aims to reach around 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047, enabling nuclear energy to meet nearly 10 per cent of India’s electricity requirements and support the national Net Zero commitment.

The Minister also drew attention to the expanding role of nuclear science in healthcare, particularly in cancer diagnosis and treatment through nuclear medicine and isotopes.

The Minister noted that the SHANTI Bill has received wide acceptance across the scientific community, industry, startups, and the innovation ecosystem, reflecting a broad national consensus on the need to reform and modernise India’s nuclear sector.

President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday undertook a sortie onboard submarine INS Vaghsheer on the Western Seaboard, becoming only the second President of India to do so after Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.

The Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, accompanied the President during the sortie.

She embarked on the submarine at Karwar Naval Harbour in Karnataka. During the over two-hour-long mission, the President interacted with the submarine’s crew and witnessed various operational demonstrations.

This maiden embarkation onboard an indigenous Kalvari-class submarine reflects the continued engagement of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces in operational activities.

Earlier, in November 2024, the President had also witnessed an operational demonstration by the Indian Navy aboard the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.

Later, in the visitors’ book, the President wrote, “It was indeed a very special experience for me to sail, dive and spend time with our sailors and officers onboard INS Vaghsheer. The multiple successful firings and challenging operations carried out by INS Vaghsheer demonstrate the crew’s exceptional preparedness and dedication, in accordance with its motto ‘Veerta Varchasva Vijaya’.”

Expressing confidence in the Indian Navy, she added, “Witnessing the discipline, confidence and enthusiasm of the Vaghsheer crew assures me that our submarines and the Indian Navy are combat-ready against any threat and under all circumstances.”

The Mathura administration has adopted a strict stance regarding the safety of children in schools.

In compliance with the Supreme Court’s orders, nodal officers will now be deployed in all government and private schools in Mathura to prevent the entry of stray dogs and maintain cleanliness on the premises.

The District Basic Education Officer of Mathura, Ekta Kirti, has issued strict instructions to the Block Education Officers in this regard.

This order has been issued in pursuance of the order passed in the writ petition “City Hounded by Strays, Kids Pay the Price” filed in the Supreme Court. The court had expressed serious concern regarding the management of stray dogs and the safety of children from them.

According to the issued instructions, all educational institutions falling within the municipal area and its extended limits must immediately nominate a nodal officer. The name and mobile number of the nodal officer must be prominently displayed at the main entrance of the school. The main task of these officers will be to keep the school premises free from stray dogs and ensure cleanliness.

The order not only mandates the appointment of a nodal officer but also requires institutions to repair and secure their boundary walls and gates. The objective is to ensure that stray animals do not enter the areas where children play or study under any circumstances.

The BSA has instructed that a list of all nominated nodal officers be prepared and provided to the Municipal Commissioner, Mathura-Vrindavan Municipal Corporation, so that coordination can be established at the municipal level for the management of stray dogs. A copy of this list will also be sent to the District Basic Education Officer’s office.

This step has brought relief to thousands of parents of schoolgoing children, as reports of attacks by stray dogs had become a cause for concern in recent times.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on Sunday remembered Padma Vibhushan awardee and former Union Minister Arun Jaitley on his birth anniversary, paying tribute to his immense contribution to the nation.

In a post on X, the Union Home Minister said, “A peerless constitutional and legal expert and an orator par excellence, Jaitley ji left an indelible legacy as a parliamentarian and will always be remembered for his contribution to several landmark legal issues.”

Remembering the late leader, Shah added, “Jaitley ji’s dedicated role in strengthening the party with his sharp legal acumen will continue to inspire generations and withstand the test of time.”

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J P Nadda, Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, and Union Minister for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh also paid floral tributes to the late leader.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta lauded Jaitley’s contribution to nation-building and the nurturing of party leadership. In a post on X, she said, “The unparalleled contribution of the revered Shri Arun Jaitley ji to nation-building, his far-reaching economic vision, sharp foresight and unwavering commitment to democratic values remain unforgettable.”

Born on December 28, 1952, Arun Jaitley served as the Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs from 2014 to 2019. He also held key portfolios including Defence, Corporate Affairs, Commerce and Industry, and Law and Justice in the governments led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Narendra Modi. From 2009 to 2014, he served as the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha.

A distinguished lawyer and Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court, Jaitley played a pivotal role in major economic reforms, including the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), demonetization, the merger of the Railway Budget with the General Budget, and the enactment of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code.

A significant number of Tuberculosis (TB) cases go undetected due to the limited sensitivity of smear microscopy, the most common diagnostic test for TB in India.

This finding was highlighted in a recent study conducted by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Gorakhpur, and published in the International Journal of Mycobacteriology.

The study raises concerns about the continued reliance on smear microscopy, particularly in patients with low bacterial load, early-stage disease, extra-pulmonary TB, or co-morbid conditions such as HIV and diabetes. These groups are at a higher risk of being missed by conventional diagnostic methods, leading to delayed treatment and ongoing transmission of the disease.

According to the study, which was released here on Sunday, an analysis of 4,249 pulmonary and extra-pulmonary samples showed that smear microscopy detected TB in only 4.3% of cases.

“In comparison, the TrueNat Mycobacterium TB/rifampicin (RIF) test identified the infection in 13.7% of the samples, indicating its improved susceptibility. This study reinforces the need to expand rapid molecular testing under the national TB programmes to aid in timely diagnosis and get closer to India’s TB elimination goal.”

“Smear microscopy is affordable and easily available, but its sensitivity is limited, especially in patients with early disease, extra-pulmonary TB, HIV co-infection or diabetes,” said Dr Ashutosh Dubey, senior TB disease specialist at the Civil Hospital.

He further added that TrueNat, which is a chip-based real-time PCR test made in India and supported by WHO, can rapidly detect TB and identify rifampicin resistance, which was found in 5.6% of confirmed cases in the study.

According to Dr. Ashutosh, early detection of drug resistance is crucial to initiate appropriate treatment and prevent further infection. He emphasised that combining conventional microscopy with molecular diagnostics can significantly strengthen TB control efforts in resource-limited, high-burden areas.

The study strongly reinforces the need to expand access to rapid molecular testing under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP). While smear microscopy will continue to play a role in TB diagnosis, experts emphasise that it should be complemented with molecular diagnostic tools to improve case detection and treatment outcomes.

“Combining conventional microscopy with molecular diagnostics can significantly strengthen TB control efforts, especially in rural and underserved areas,” Dr Dubey added. “Scaling up tests like TrueNat is essential if India is to meet its goal of eliminating TB.”

As India works towards its ambitious TB elimination targets, the study’s findings serve as an important reminder that improved diagnostic strategies are central to success. Enhancing early detection, identifying drug resistance promptly, and ensuring timely treatment can help reduce transmission, improve patient outcomes, and bring the country closer to a TB-free future.

Last week, the combined market valuation of seven of the top-10 most valued firms declined by Rs 35,439.36 crore. State Bank of India took the biggest hit, in line with a muted trend in equities.

The market valuation of State Bank of India tumbled Rs 12,692.1 crore to Rs 8,92,046.88 crore.

Reliance Industries, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), ICICI Bank, SBI, Bajaj Finance, Larsen & Toubro and Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) faced erosion from their valuation, while HDFC Bank, Bharti Airtel and Infosys were the winners.

In a rank-wise analysis, Reliance Industries remained the most valued firm, followed by HDFC Bank, Bharti Airtel, TCS, ICICI Bank, State Bank of India, Infosys, Bajaj Finance, Larsen & Toubro and LIC.

Reliance Industries’ valuation dropped by Rs 8,254.81 crore to Rs 21,09,712.48 crore.

The market capitalisation (mcap) of HDFC Bank jumped Rs 10,126.81 crore to Rs 15,26,765.44 crore, and that of ICICI Bank edged lower by Rs 2,571.39 crore to Rs 9,65,669.15 crore.

Bajaj Finance faced an erosion of Rs 5,102.43 crore to take its market valuation to Rs 6,22,124.01 crore. The mcap of LIC diminished by Rs 1,802.62 crore to Rs 5,37,403.43 crore.

Larsen & Toubro declined by Rs 4,002.94 crore to Rs 5,56,436.22 crore, while Bharti Airtel climbed by Rs 5,359.98 crore to Rs 12,00,692.32 crore.

The mcap of Infosys surged Rs 6,626.62 crore to Rs 6,87,818.84 crore, and that of Bharti Airtel climbed Rs 5,359.98 crore to Rs 12,00,692.32 crore.

The Indian stock market on Friday closed lower as investors locked in gains near record highs. At close, Sensex ended with a loss of 367 points, or 0.43 per cent, at 85,041.45, while the Nifty 50 settled at 26,042.30, down 100 points, or 0.38 per cent.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the 129th edition of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat on Sunday, described 2025 as a landmark year that bolstered India’s confidence and global stature. Reflecting on the year’s achievements, he highlighted key successes in national security, sports, science, youth-led innovation, and cultural preservation.

PM Modi emphasised India’s strong global imprint through security operations like Operation Sindoor, which demonstrated national unity and resolve. He recalled the widespread patriotic participation in the 150th anniversary celebrations of Vande Mataram.

The year was memorable for Indian sports, marked by victories including the men’s ICC Champions Trophy win, the women’s cricket team’s maiden World Cup triumph, and historic success in the Women’s Blind T20 World Cup and para-sports world championships, showcasing determination that transcends barriers.

In science and space exploration, Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian to reach the International Space Station. Environmental progress was marked by the cheetah population crossing 30. Cultural highlights ranged from the grand Prayagraj Mahakumbh to the Ram Temple flag-hoisting ceremony in Ayodhya.

PM Modi praised India’s youth as the nation’s greatest asset, spotlighting the Smart India Hackathon 2025 where students tackled over 270 real-life challenges. He announced the upcoming second edition of the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue on National Youth Day, promising active participation.

Showcasing cultural rootedness alongside technological progress, PM Modi cited examples like Geetanjali IISc and Kannada language schools run by the diaspora in Dubai. He shared grassroots innovations such as a solar-powered electrification project in Manipur linked to government support schemes.

The Prime Minister also highlighted India’s rich heritage through recent archaeological discoveries in Jammu and Kashmir and efforts to promote Indian languages both abroad and at home. He paid tribute to unsung freedom fighters and urged public caution on rising antibiotic resistance.

Concluding the year’s final ‘Mann Ki Baat’, PM Modi encouraged citizens to embrace traditions, support local artisans, engage in cultural festivals, and maintain healthy lifestyles. He extended best wishes for 2026, confident that collective efforts will realise the vision of a developed and vibrant India.

Congress leader Digvijaya Singh’s remarks praising the organisational strength of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) have divided the Congress party with one group apparently defending him and the other vehemently criticising the Sangh and its ideology.

Reacting to Digvijaya Singh’s comments, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, who himself has not been in the good books of the Congress leadership due to his remarks praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his policies, asserted that he too wants the grand old party to strengthen itself.

“Even I want our organisation to strengthen. There should be discipline in our organisation, Tharoor said, adding “Digvijaya Singh can speak for himself.”

What Digvijaya Singh had said?

On Saturday, Singh praised the RSS and the BJP, sharing an old photo of BJP leaders, including LK Advani and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Sharing the picture on X, Digvijaya Singh wrote, “I came across this picture on the Quora website. It is very powerful. It shows how a grassroots RSS swayamsevak and a Jana Sangh/BJP worker, who once sat on the floor at the feet of senior leaders, went on to become the chief minister of a state and the Prime Minister of the country. This reflects the true strength of the organisation. Jai Siya Ram.”

His remarks, which came hours before a key Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, embarrassed the party as the BJP was quick to use them to target Rahul Gandhi.

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said that the Congress party has split into two factions – the Rahul Gandhi group and the Priyanka Gandhi group.

“Continuous attacks against the Rahul faction indicate a loss of confidence in him. One after another, Congress leaders are submitting no-confidence motions against Rahul,” Poonawalla said.

He further stated, “Now, Digvijay Singh, Rahul Gandhi’s mentor, is repeatedly tweeting publicly, asserting that Rahul cannot be convinced… He clearly suggests that Congress’s defeat was due to organisational weaknesses rather than vote rigging, with TS Singh Deo and Rashid Alvi supporting this…Overall, this appears to be a ‘Rahul Hatao’ campaign, reflecting a loss of confidence in Rahul.”

Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Sunday criticised Digvijaya Singh’s praise for the RSS’s organisational strength, calling it a “famous self-goal”.

Speaking to ANI, Tagore equated the RSS with Al-Qaeda, stating that both spread hatred and emphasising that the Congress party, with its 140-year history, should be the model for unity and a people’s movement, citing Mahatma Gandhi’s transformation of the party.

“The RSS is an organisation built on hatred, and it spreads hatred. There is nothing to learn from hatred. Can you learn anything from Al-Qaeda? Al-Qaeda is an organisation of hatred. It hates others. What is there to learn from that organisation?” Manickam Tagore told ANI.

#WATCH | Delhi: On Congress leader Digvijaya Singh praising the organisational strength of the RSS, Congress MP Manickam Tagore says, "…The RSS is an organisation built on hatred, and it spreads hatred. There is nothing to learn from hatred. Can you learn anything from… pic.x.com/yDlTv2Vmqh

— ANI (@ANI) December 28, 2025

This comes after Digvijaya Singh shared a black-and-white photograph from the 1990s, found on social question-and-answer website Quora, showing a young Narendra Modi seated on the floor near senior BJP leader LK Advani at an event in Gujarat.

In a post shared on X, Singh noted that individuals who once worked at the grassroots level could rise through the organisational hierarchy to become Chief Minister and eventually Prime Minister. He described this as the “power of organisation”, while tagging senior Congress leaders, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, MPs Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Jairam Ramesh, PM Modi, and the official handles of the Congress.

“I found this picture on the Quora site. It is very impressive. In what way did the grassroots swayamsevak of RSS and the worker of Jan Sangh @BJP4India sit on the floor at the feet of leaders and become the Chief Minister of the state and the Prime Minister of the country? This is the power of the organisation. Jai Siya Ram. @INCIndia @INCMP@kharge @RahulGandhi @priyankagandhi @Jairam_Ramesh @narendramodi,” Singh’s X post read.

Manickam Tagore said that one should learn from an organisation like the Congress, which brought people together.

“Mahatma Gandhi transformed the Congress party into a people’s movement. Should this organisation learn from those organisations of hatred?” he said.

Manickam Tagore further said that Digvijaya Singh’s statement “does not help” in Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s struggle against the Central Government.

“Rahul Gandhi is completely with people, fighting for people against government monopoly. We should support him, and such a statement does not help in Rahul ji’s struggle,” he said.

Earlier, Manickam Tagore shared an ‘excellent’ own goal in a football match, writing, “Famous Self goal. We have one.”

Later, he added that there is “nothing to learn from Godse’s organisation other than Hate. Congress at 140 is still young, and fights hate.”

Digvijaya Singh later clarified that he had praised only the RSS’s organisational structure, not its ideology, and that he remains opposed to the RSS and PM Modi.

Meanwhile, the BJP seized upon Singh’s latest remarks to attack the Congress. Party National spokesperson CR Kesavan on Saturday said the comments had exposed what he termed the “autocratic and undemocratic” functioning of the Congress leadership.

“Will Rahul Gandhi show courage & react to the shocking Truth Bomb dropped by Shri. Digvijaya Singh’s tweet, which has totally exposed how Congress’s first family ruthlessly runs the party in a dictatorial manner, and also how autocratic & undemocratic this Congress leadership is?” Kesavan’s X post read.

Pakistan on Saturday officially acknowledged the impact of India’s strategic and precision strikes on its military installations during the escalation in May following Operation Sindoor.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, during a year-end press briefing yesterday, confirmed that India had targeted the Nur Khan Air Base in Rawalpindi’s Chakala area, causing damage to the military facility and injuring personnel stationed there.

Dar said India had deployed multiple drones into Pakistani airspace within a short span, underscoring the scale and precision of the operation. “They (India) send drones towards Pakistan. In 36 hours, at least 80 drones were sent… We were able to intercept 79 drones out of 80, and only one drone damaged a military installation and personnel were also injured in the attack,” the foreign minister claimed.

Detailing the developments during the crisis, Dar said Pakistan’s civil and military leadership, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, convened a meeting on the night of May 9 and “authorised” certain decisions in response to the evolving situation. He further stated that India “made the mistake” of attacking the Nur Khan Air Base in the early hours of May 10, implicitly acknowledging the damage caused by the strike.

Dar’s remarks amount to an admission of India’s strategic military actions against Pakistani installations in May, which followed Operation Sindoor.

Also read: ‘Pak military had less than a minute to react’ after India’s BrahMos attack on Nur Khan airbase: PM Sharif’s aide

Operation Sindoor: India’s precision strikes after Pahalgam terror attack

Indian Armed Forces had launched the Operation Sindoor targeting nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).

It was launched in the early hours of May 7 as a retaliatory response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The operation led to a sharp escalation between the two countries, including increased cross-border shelling from Pakistan and retaliatory strikes by Indian forces.

The situation later took a drastic turn when Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) contacted his Indian counterpart to propose a ceasefire, which India accepted. The outreach from the Pakistani side was confirmed by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, who said both sides agreed to halt all military operations on land, at sea and in the air.

Satellite imagery released by Maxar Technologies on May 13 showed significant damage to multiple Pakistani air bases, including Nur Khan Air Base. The images indicated damage at four facilities — Nur Khan Air Base in Rawalpindi, PAF Base Mushaf in Sargodha, Bholari Air Base, and PAF Base Shahbaz in Jacobabad. Comparative satellite images taken on April 25 and May 10, 2025, confirmed damage to airbase infrastructure, including at Nur Khan.

#WATCH | Delhi: Air Marshal AK Bharti shows the detailed video of the effects of India’s Air Operations at Pasrur Air Defence Radar, Chunian Air Defence Radar, Arifwala Air Defence Radar, Sargodha Airfield, Rahim Yar Khan Airfield, Chaklala Airfield (Nur Khan), Sukkur Airfield,… pic.x.com/q1v9X9ZmEi

— ANI (@ANI) May 11, 2025

Also read: Pakistan rebuilds 72 terror launchpads destroyed in ‘Operation Sindoor’: BSF

As the cult comedy Style completed 25 years since its release, actor Sharman Joshi took a nostalgic walk down memory lane. Looking back at the film that turned into a youth favourite, Sharman shared why this light-hearted movie continues to live rent-free in people’s hearts, even after two and a half decades.

A film that never tried too hard

In an Instagram post, Sharman revealed that Style was never meant to be deep, serious, or polished. Its only goal was simple, to make people laugh.

“Hard to believe it’s been 25 years since ‘Style’,” he wrote, calling it one of the most fun projects of his career. He described the film as carefree, goofy, and happily imperfect.

According to him, the movie did not demand any kind of attention or applause. It just wanted viewers to sit back and enjoy the ride.

And somehow, that honesty worked.

Meet Bantu: Lazy, confident, and lovably wrong

 

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A post shared by Sharman Joshi (@sharmanjoshi)

Sharman played Bantu, an aimless college student who dreams of success without putting in the effort. Talking about the character, he said he enjoyed playing someone who was not a hero or an underdog, just a regular young man trying to find shortcuts in life.

Sharman also praised late filmmaker N Chandra, saying the director had one clear intention while making ‘Style’: entertainment.

The film blended slapstick comedy, silly pranks, mistaken identities, and even surprising murder mystery angle. This unusual mix made ‘Style’ stand out from other comedies of that time.

There was no pressure to follow trends or deliver a message. It was pure fun, and that was enough.

Perry Archangelo Bamonte, the versatile longtime guitarist and keyboardist for the influential British goth-rock band The Cure, has died at the age of 65. The band announced his passing on Friday on their official website, stating that Bamonte died at home following a short illness over the Christmas holiday.

In a heartfelt tribute, the group described Bamonte, affectionately known to fans and colleagues as “Teddy”, as a “quiet, intense, intuitive, constant and hugely creative” presence. They hailed him as a warm-hearted and vital part of The Cure’s storied history, adding that their “thoughts and condolences are with all his family” and that he would be “very greatly missed.”

From technical crew to centre stage

Bamonte’s journey with the group began behind the scenes, where he served as a roadie and guitar technician in 1984. He officially joined the line-up in 1990 following departure of keyboardist Roger O’Donnell.

As a multi-instrumentalist, he became a core pillar of the band’s sound, frequently switching between guitar, keyboards, and the signature six-string bass during their most commercially successful era in the 1990s.

Legacy and final performances

His studio legacy includes the 1992 global hit album Wish, which featured the career-defining singles “Friday I’m in Love” and “High,” as well as Wild Mood Swings (1996) and their 2004 self-titled release. After performing at over 400 shows, he was let go in 2005 but later rejoined the group in 2022 for their massive world tour.

In 2019, Bamonte was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame alongside his bandmates. His final performance took place on Nov. 1, 2024, in London for the launch of Songs of a Lost World, the band’s first studio album in sixteen years. The event was filmed for the theatrical release, The Cure: The Show of a Lost World, documenting the final chapter of his four-decade career.

Also Read: Jamie Lee Curtis reveals how her mom saved her from early horror fame by turning down ‘The Exorcist’ at 12

The first look of Huma Qureshi from the much-awaited action-thriller ‘Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups’ is finally here. The film, which stars Yash in the lead, sees Huma stepping into the shoes of a mysterious character named Elizabeth.

On Sunday, the makers shared the poster on their official Instagram account.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Yash (@thenameisyash)

A glimpse of Elizabeth

In the poster, Huma is standing amidst a graveyard surrounded by old tombstones and stone statues. This gives the scene a haunting cinematic feel. Dressed in an elegant black outfit, she leans casually next to a vintage black car. Her expression is calm yet serious.

The film is directed by acclaimed filmmaker Geetu Mohandas, who spoke about casting Huma in the role. According to a press release, the director admitted that finding the right actress for Elizabeth was no easy task.

Also Read: ‘KGF’ star Yash sings ‘Jotheyali Jothe Jotheyali’ for wife Radhika Pandit

“Casting for this role was perhaps the trickiest. The character demanded a performer with high-octane caliber and an undeniable presence. From the moment Huma entered my frame, I knew she possessed something rare. She carried an effortless sophistication and intensity that immediately brought the character of Elizabeth alive for me,” said Mohandas.

Yash returns to the big screen

The movie marks Yash’s return after the blockbuster success of ‘KGF: Chapter 2’. This highly anticipated project has been in the news for some time and is being produced in both Kannada and English.

Fans can also expect dubbed versions in several Indian languages.

‘‘Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups’’ is co-written by Yash and Geetu Mohandas, and produced by Venkat K. Narayana and Yash under KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations.

Toxic release date

The film is scheduled to hit theatres on March 19, 2026 aligning with the festive weekend of Eid, Ugadi, and Gudi Padwa.

Bollywood veteran Himani Shivpuri recently took fans on nostalgic journey as she shared heartfelt birthday message for Salman Khan. Her post was a glimpse into the set of her very first commercial film ‘Hum Aapke Hain Koun…!’

From theatre stages to the big screen

Himani, who began her career in theatre, recalled stepping into the bustling world of Bollywood with mix of excitement and nervousness. Coming from the National School of Drama (NSD) repertory, she was used to intimate theatre stages, not the grandeur of big commercial sets.

“I had come from NSD repertory, theatre background. This was completely different. Big stars, Madhuri, Salman, Binduji, Rima, Anupam,” she wrote.

Among all the familiar and unfamiliar faces, the only person she knew was her senior, Anupam Kher, who had come to watch her play ‘Surya’.

The surprise lift that stole the scene

Her very first scene with Salman turned into an unforgettable memory. Himani explained how director Sooraj Barjatya had set up the shot and called “action.”

 

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A post shared by Himani Shivpuri (@shivpurihimani)

To everyone’s surprise, Salman suddenly lifted her mid-scene! Himani, with her theatre instincts, reacted naturally, and the impromptu moment impressed the director so much that it was kept in the film.

“So my first scene with Bhaijan, Sooraj ji explained the scene, Soorajji said action, and to everyone’s surprise, Salman lifted me up. I just reacted, and Soorajji liked the take and kept it,” she shared.

A bond beyond the screen

Himani went on to work with Salman in several more films. These include ‘Biwi No 1’, ‘Bandhan’, ‘Hum Saath Saath Hain’, ‘Chal Mere Bhai’, and ‘Veergati’. Over the years, she has seen the superstar’s warm personality up close.

“He never failed to surprise me; the boy with a golden heart! God bless him. May he continue to entertain us, surprise us, and rule our hearts!” she wrote.

Also Read: Salman Khan turns 60 with a bang: ‘Battle of Galwan’ teaser drops!