Year-ender 2025: For most of 2025, one sentence refused to leave film conversations. “Only South Indian films are working now.” It was said at chai stalls, inside trade offices, on social media threads, and even at multiplex queues. Kannada, Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam cinema were riding high. Big scale, rooted stories, powerful stars, and fearless storytelling made South Indian films feel unstoppable.

Bollywood, people said, was still finding its feet.

 

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Also Read: Year-ender 2025: Bollywood films with big stars and big budgets that failed at the box office

And yet, while the noise stayed loud, something else was happening quietly week after week, month after month. Hindi films were pulling audiences back. Not always with noise. Not always with whistles. But with numbers, emotion, and variety.

By the time December rolled in, the box office told a very different story.

Also Read: Year-Ender 2025: The year that shook South Indian movies; hits, flops, and everything in between

This was not a year of one kind of Bollywood movie.
This was a year of historical epics, courtroom dramas, war films, love stories, social dramas, comedies, and mid-budget surprises.

Bollywood didn’t scream its return. It earned it.

Welcome to the Bollywood year-ender of 2025, the year Hindi cinema proved it still knows how to bring people to theatres.

The big picture: Bollywood in 2025

Before diving into individual films, let’s understand the mood. 2025 was not about “superstars only”. It was about stories clicking. Big budgets worked sometimes. Small and medium films worked often. Content and conviction mattered more than hype

Bollywood gave hits, blockbusters, averages, flops, and disasters, but most importantly, it gave range.

The return of the big Bollywood blockbusters

Chhaava had a roaring box office record

If one film announced Bollywood’s confidence loudly, it was ‘Chhaava’.

Vicky Kaushal as Sambhaji Maharaj was a commitment. The film arrived with expectations and left with applause. With a budget of ₹150 crore, it amassed worldwide gross of ₹808.7 crore, domestic net of ₹604.1 crore

Dhurandhar: Grit, scale, and the return of Akshaye Khanna

Dark, layered, and intense. ‘Dhurandhar’ arrived like a storm.

Ranveer Singh disappeared into a dangerous Karachi underworld. Aditya Dhar’s direction gave the film raw energy, while Akshaye Khanna and Sanjay Dutt added weight. It had a budget of ₹250 crore with worldwide gross ₹740.8 crore and domestic net ₹485.4 crore.

Saiyaara: Romance still works when it feels real

In a year filled with action and noise, ‘Saiyaara’ reminded everyone that love stories still sell if they feel honest.

Mohit Suri returned to his emotional roots. New faces brought freshness. The music did half the talking.

Simple emotions. Familiar pain. Big rewards.

When big budgets didn’t guarantee big love

War 2: When expectations became the enemy

On paper, ‘War 2’ had everything. Hrithik Roshan. NTR Jr. YRF scale.

But sometimes, even firepower isn’t enough. It became a flop despite a budget of ₹400 crore. It earned only worldwide gross of ₹360.7 crore with domestic net ₹240.5 crore.

The film opened strong but faded fast. Spectacle couldn’t hide storytelling fatigue.

Sikandar: Salman Khan, but not the magic

Salman Khan remains a force, but ‘Sikandar’ failed to ignite his usual box office fire. Even with 200 crore budget, it managed only worldwide gross ₹182.7 crore with domestic net ₹108.7 crore

The intention was massy, but the connection never fully landed.

The power of content-driven Bollywood

Sitaare Zameen Par: Aamir Khan’s gentle win

Aamir Khan returned with sensitivity, not swagger. ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’ told a story about empathy, growth, and human connection, without shouting. Budget of ₹80 crore but worldwide gross of ₹268.1 crore. It had a domestic net of ₹166.8 crore.

It wasn’t record-breaking.

It was heart-breaking in the best way.

Raid 2: Old-school thriller done right

Ajay Devgn’s calm intensity once again worked magic. It was made with ₹80 crore but collected worldwide gross ₹235.8 crore, domestic net ₹173.5 crore.

The film proved sequels can work if they respect the original.

Jolly LLB 3: Laughter, law, logic

Courtroom chaos returned smarter and louder. Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi together felt like a reunion audiences didn’t know they missed.

– Budget: ₹100 crore
– Worldwide Gross: ₹170.3 crore
– Domestic Net: ₹116.7 crore

Love stories found new life

Tere Ishk Mein: Intensity over gloss

Aanand L Rai delivered heartbreak with poetry. Dhanush and Kriti Sanon brought raw emotion, not perfection. This was romance without filters.

– Budget: ₹75 crore
– Worldwide Gross: ₹159.4 crore
– Domestic Net: ₹114.2 crore

Dhadak 2: Brave, but costly

The film tackled caste, violence, and young love. But the appreciation did not translate to numbers. But the attempt mattered.

– Budget: ₹45 crore
– Worldwide Gross: ₹31.2 crore
– Domestic Net: ₹22.5 crore

Comedy: Mixed laughs, mixed results

Housefull 5 kept the franchise’s trademark chaos alive. It had massive cast, loud humour, grand setups. However by 2025, the jokes felt familiar and overstretched.

Made on a hefty budget of ₹225 crore, it collected around ₹292.5 crore worldwide. Not a failure, but far from the franchise’s earlier glory.

On the other hand, Bhool Chuk Maaf proved that comedy works best when it feels honest and relatable. Led by Rajkummar Rao, the film relied on situational humour and not scale.

With budget of ₹45 crore, it earned ₹89.2 crore globally.

Patriotic and political cinema

Kesari Chapter 2 arrived with strong intentions and a powerful theme rooted in patriotism. The film tried to balance emotion with message-driven storytelling. And while its heart was in the right place, the impact remained uneven.

In contrast, The Bengal Files generated more discussion than footfalls. Heavy on conversations and political commentary, the film struggled to convert curiosity into ticket sales.

Also Read: Year-Ender 2025: Records broken, Eras ended, and Taylor Swift found forever

Bollywood’s quiet strength: Medium & small films

Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat turned out to be one of the biggest surprises. The film built momentum and exceeded expectations. Made on budget of ₹30 crore, it went on to collect ₹113.2 crore worldwide.

On the other hand, Haq struggled to find its audience. The film was praised for its performances and message. But the box office response remained muted. With a budget of ₹30 crore and worldwide collections of ₹27.8 crore.

What 2025 finally proved about Bollywood

Bollywood is not dead and it is not one genre. It doesn’t need to copy the South, and works best when it trusts its own voice

While South Indian cinema continued its incredible run, 2025 showed that Hindi cinema was never out of the race.

It was just recalibrating.

Also Read: Year-ender 2025: From Zubeen Garg to Dharmendra and Manoj Kumar, the stars we said goodbye to

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has come under sharp criticism from leaders in Jharkhand as the hijab controversy continues to escalate, with the opposition parties demanding accountability and accusing him of “disrespecting women”.

The criticism comes after the Jharkhand government extended a job offer to Bihar AYUSH doctor Nusrat Praveen, promising a monthly salary of Rs 3 lakh, after she stopped reporting for duty following the hijab-related incident. Jharkhand Health Minister Irfan Ansari said on Saturday that he had offered employment to the woman doctor with a monthly remuneration of Rs 3 lakh, along with a government residence and a posting of her choice, in response to the controversy that erupted during the distribution of appointment letters in Bihar. Ansari claimed that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar attempted to insult the hijab and the Muslim community by removing a woman’s veil.

Supporting Ansari’s remarks, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) spokesperson Manoj Kumar Pandey termed the incident a “shameful act” and accused Nitish Kumar of publicly humiliating the woman doctor. Speaking to IANS, Pandey said, “What happened in the land of Bihar was a disgraceful act, and I consider it nothing but a shameful deed. A Chief Minister behaving improperly and publicly insulting a woman is unacceptable.”

“We don’t care about the religion or caste, but about the behaviour towards any woman. Why is this issue being buried? Why is Nitish Kumar not being removed from his post? Will a person with such mental condition serve as the Chief Minister of Bihar? Are there only such leaders in the BJP-led alliance?” he questioned.

Congress leader Rakesh Sinha also attacked the Bihar Chief Minister, accusing him of “disrespecting the dignity of women”. Speaking to IANS, Sinha said, “When a person seated within the constitutional framework attempts to violate the dignity of women, it becomes our responsibility to restore that dignity. Congress respects the honour of mothers and sisters, regardless of their religion, community, or caste.”

Targeting the NDA allies, the Congress leader further said, “We believe it is in the nature of the Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies to disrespect women and violate their dignity.”

“Since the leaders of Nitish Kumar’s alliance have consistently displayed this behaviour, it was natural that when the woman became so emotional and agitated that she decided that she would no longer participate. Hence, we offered her to come to Jharkhand, assuring her that her dignity would be respected under the Mahagathbandhan government and the Congress party, and we would even provide her employment here,” he added.

The event, a video recording of which has been extensively shared and ignited a significant political controversy, occurred on December 20 at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat in Patna, where AYUSH doctors had assembled to obtain their appointment letters. When the woman approached to receive her letter, Nitish Kumar noticed her hijab, asked her to remove it, stating, “What’s this?”, and then lifted the hijab himself. The footage was widely circulated by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and soon turned into a political flashpoint. Opposition parties raised objections, and the controversy triggered debates across the nation.

Samajwadi Party (SP) national president Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government for pursuing a “one nation, one businessman” agenda that could be fatal for the country. He alleged that the BJP is working on a model that aims to consolidate every major business in the country into the hands of a select few.

In a post on social media, Yadav claimed that the BJP leadership aims to place the country’s entire economic system under the control of a few select individuals. He alleged that instead of seeking donations from diverse sources, the government is attempting to consolidate major businesses in the hands of a limited group. According to him, individuals who unquestioningly approve decisions have been positioned within the government and the party organisation to fulfil what he described as an “insatiable hunger” for money.

The SP leader warned that monopolistic practices are dangerous for any nation, whether in political, economic, or social spheres. He alleged that frequent changes in policies and rules by the BJP government are intended to weaken other industrial houses while restricting economic opportunities to select groups. He said that such actions are pushing the country towards a serious and risky situation.

Yadav further claimed that such a model would lead to unchecked profiteering, rising inflation, and large-scale corruption. He alleged that rules would be altered to favour monopolistic companies, consumers would face arbitrary charges, and workers would be subjected to exploitation through what he termed a system of “less pay, more work.”

He also said that farmers and the PDA communities, including Pichda (Backward Classes), Dalit, and Alpsankhyak (Minorities), would not be heard, resulting in nearly 95 per cent of the population facing exploitation.

Calling for unity, Yadav said it was time for the country to collectively oppose monopoly and make it clear that such a system is unacceptable.

IndiGo on Sunday issued a travel advisory warning passengers about flight disruptions caused by dense fog and low visibility over Bengaluru and Amritsar.
The airline said it is closely monitoring weather conditions and providing full support to ensure safe and smooth travel for its passengers.

In its advisory, IndiGo stated, “Low visibility and fog over #Bangalore and #Amritsar have impacted flight schedules. We’re keeping a close watch on the weather and doing our best to get you where you need to be, safely and smoothly.”

The advisory urged travellers to stay up to date on their flight status via the airline’s official channels. “We request that you stay updated on your flight status bit.ly/3ZWAQXd. Please be assured that our teams are here to assist you at every step and provide full support,” the advisory further read.

“Here’s hoping clearer skies help us serve you better soon and thank you for your patience and understanding during this challenging time,” it added.
Meanwhile, West Bengal’s Bagdogra Airport also reported that flights to and from the city may be affected due to dense fog. Authorities said conditions are expected to improve in the next few hours and advised passengers to check with their respective airlines before heading to the airport.

A statement from Bagdogra Airport read, “Due to dense fog and low visibility, flights to and from Bagdogra may be affected. Conditions are expected to improve in the next few hours. Passengers are advised to check flight status with their airline before coming to the airport.”

Earlier on Sunday, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) issued an advisory noting that fog conditions in parts of northern India are affecting visibility and may lead to delays or changes in flight operations at select airports.
Passengers have been advised to check flight updates with their respective airlines through official channels and to allow extra time for travel to airports and completion of necessary formalities.

“Fog conditions in parts of Northern India are affecting visibility and may lead to delays or changes in flight operations at select airports. Passengers are advised to check flight updates with their airlines through official channels and allow extra time for airport travel and formalities,” AAI’s advisory read.
To assist travellers during adverse weather, AAI has deployed passenger assistance teams at affected airports to provide guidance and on-ground support, ensuring smooth operations and passenger safety amid dense fog conditions.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has substantially raised the reservation for former Agniveers in the recruitment of constables in the Border Security Force, increasing it from 10 per cent to 50 per cent, as per a notification published in the Gazette.
In addition, candidates from the first batch of ex-Agniveers will be eligible for an upper age relaxation of up to five years, while those from subsequent batches will receive a three-year age concession.

“By direct recruitment (including fifty per cent vacancies shall be reserved for ex-Agniveers in every recruitment year, ten per cent from ex-Servicemen and upto three per cent for absorption of annual vacancy amongst Combatised Constable (Tradesmen),” the Ministry made the announcement through a notification issued on December 18, making fresh rules further to amend the Border Security Force, General Duty Cadre (Non-Gazetted) Recruitment Rules, 2015.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by clauses (b) and (c) of sub-section (2) of section 141 of the Border Security Force Act,1968 (47 of 1968), the Central Government hereby makes the following rules further to amend the Border Security Force, General Duty Cadre (Non-Gazetted) Recruitment Rules, 2015, namely:-

1. (1) These rules may be called the Border Security Force, General Duty Cadre (Non-Gazetted) Recruitment (Amendment) Rules. 2025. (2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette,” the notification mentions.
As per the new rules, “fifty per cent vacancies in the BSF shall be reserved for ex-Agniveers in every recruitment year, ten per cent from ex-servicemen and upto three per cent for absorption of annual vacancy amongst combatised constables (tradesmen) by direct recruitment.”

“In the first phase, the recruitment shall be conducted by the Nodal Force for fifty per cent vacancies earmarked for ex-Agniveers. In the second phase, recruitment shall be conducted by the Staff Selection Commission for candidates other than ex-Agniveers for the remaining forty-seven per cent (including ten per cent ex-Servicemen) for the vacancies alongwith the unfilled vacancies of ex-Agniveers in a specific category in the first stage. The vacancies for female candidates shall be calculated on a year-to-year basis by the Director General Border Security Force on a functional requirement basis,” reads the notification.

As per the notification, the crucial date for the determination of the age limit shall be as advertised by the Staff Selection Commission or the concerned nodal force.
“The upper age- limit shall be relaxable upto five years for the candidates of the first batch of ex- Agniveers. The upper age limit shall be relaxable upto three years for the candidates of ex-Agniveers.”

It further stated that the physical and medical standards for recruitment to the post of Constable (General Duty) shall be applicable as per the scheme prescribed by the Central government from time to time.
It also added that “ex-Agniveers shall be exempted from Physical Standard Test and Physical Efficiency Test.”

Pakistan U19 clinched the ACC Under-19 Asia Cup 2025 with a commanding 191-run victory over arch-rivals India at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. India, chasing a massive 348, collapsed under pressure and was bowled out for just 156, falling short of a record-extending ninth U19 Asia Cup title.

Pakistan’s Mammoth First Innings

Pakistan U19 posted a formidable 347/8 in 50 overs, powered by opener Sameer Minhas, who delivered a sensational 172 off 113 balls. Minhas reached his fifty in just 29 balls and completed his century in 71 deliveries, including 17 fours and nine sixes at a strike rate of 152.21. His innings set the record for the highest individual score in an Under-19 Asia Cup final and surpassed Shahzaib Khan to become Pakistan’s highest scorer in Youth ODIs. It now ranks as the eighth-highest score in Youth ODI history.

Having opened the tournament with a blistering 177 against Malaysia, Minhas once again rose to the occasion on the biggest stage. He anchored key partnerships of 92 runs with Usman Khan (35 off 45 balls) and 137 runs with Ahmed Hussain (56 off 72 balls). After Minhas was dismissed at 302 in the 42.5th over, caught at long-on by Kanishk Chouhan off Deepesh Devendran, Pakistan lost momentum, but Niqab Shafiq (12*) and Mohammad Sayyam (13*) remained unbeaten to close the innings.

India’s Batting Collapse

Chasing 348, India’s innings unravelled early, losing five wickets inside the first 10 overs. The team couldn’t recover and were eventually bowled out for 156. Deepesh Devendran led Pakistan’s bowling with 3/83, supported by Khilan Patel (2/44) and Henil Patel (2/62). Despite India’s unbeaten run to the final, they fell short of claiming the title.

Earlier Encounter Between the Sides

Earlier in the tournament, India had posted 240 in 46.1 overs, powered by Aaron George’s 85 off 88 balls and Kanishk Chouhan’s 46. Pakistan’s Mohammad Sayyam and Abdul Subhan claimed three wickets each, while Huzaifa Ahsan’s fighting 70 in 83 balls went in vain. Deepesh Devendran (3/16) and Kanishk Chouhan (3/33) starred with the ball for India in that match.

Playing XIs
India U19: Ayush Mhatre (captain), Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Aaron George, Vihaan Malhotra, Vedant Trivedi, Abhigyan Kundu (wicketkeeper), Kanishk Chouhan, Henil Patel, Khilan Patel, Deepesh Devendran, Kishan Kumar Singh.

Pakistan U19: Sameer Minhas, Usman Khan, Ahmed Hussain, Farhan Yousaf (captain), Hamza Zahoor (wicketkeeper), Huzaifa Ahsan, Niqab Shafiq, Mohammad Shayan, Ali Raza, Abdul Subhan, Mohammad Sayyam.

Year-ender: If South Indian cinema in 2025 were a person, it would be someone who laughed loudly, cried quietly, fought fiercely, believed deeply, failed openly, and still stood tall by December.

This was a year where myth met modern madness, where small films shocked the box office, where superstars stumbled and newcomers soared. It was noisy, emotional, confusing, magical and unforgettable.

From forests soaked in folklore to courtrooms full of anger, from college crushes to crime syndicates, from devotional epics to tiny village love stories, 2025 gave audiences everything, sometimes all in the same week.

This year-ender looks back at every major South Indian film of 2025 and tells the story not just of hits and flops, but of why this year mattered.

Also Read: Year-ender 2025: From Zubeen Garg to Dharmendra and Manoj Kumar, the stars we said goodbye to

The big kings of 2025

Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1 (Kannada)

The year truly bowed its head when ‘Kantara’ returned not as a sequel, but as a legend in the making. Rishab Shetty went back in time to the Kadamba dynasty, into forests where gods whisper and men listen. The film was slow, spiritual, fierce, and hypnotic.

Made on a massive budget of ₹130 crore, it roared to an astonishing ₹853.4 crore worldwide.

Also Read: Rukmini Vasanth heading to Bollywood after ‘Kantara Chapter 1’ success? Here’s what we know

Lokah: Chapter One – Chandra (Malayalam)

Quiet. Mysterious. Explosive.

What started as a simple story of a woman arriving in Bengaluru turned into a phenomenon. ‘Lokah: Chapter One – Chandra’ pulled audiences into its strange, emotional, thrilling world. Kalyani Priyadarshan delivered a career-defining performance.

Also Read: ‘Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra’ makers promise to edit dialogue that upset Karnataka

With a budget of just ₹40 crore, the film earned over ₹302 crore worldwide, becoming an industry hit for Malayalam cinema. It proved that world-building is not just for big studios.

Su from So (Kannada)

A tiny film with a massive heart.

Set in a quiet village, ‘Su from So’ mixed innocence, humour, and the supernatural. Raj B. Shetty once again showed why he is one of the most interesting voices in Kannada cinema.

Made for just ₹5.5 crore, the film shocked everyone by earning ₹123 crore worldwide. Proof that you don’t need noise. Just honesty.

Dragon (Tamil)

Breakups don’t usually lead to crime empires but ‘Dragon’ made it believable.

Pradeep Ranganathan played a broken student who slips into financial fraud. Stylish, sharp, and emotionally raw, the film struck a chord with young audiences. Made on ₹35 crore, it earned ₹150 crore worldwide.

A clear winner and one of Tamil cinema’s smartest commercial films of the year.

Tourist Family (Tamil)

No guns. No villains. Just kindness.

A Sri Lankan family trying to start fresh in India changed not just a neighbourhood but the audience too. ‘Tourist Family’ was warm, funny, and deeply human.

With an 8.2 rating and massive word-of-mouth, this ₹15 crore film earned ₹87.5 crore worldwide. It reminded everyone that cinema can heal.

Court: State Vs. A Nobody (Telugu)

This courtroom drama didn’t shout. It burned slowly.

The story of a teenage boy wrongly accused and a lawyer fighting a broken system struck a deep nerve. Made on a ₹10 crore budget, the film earned ₹57 crore worldwide.

One of the most important Telugu films of the year.

Super hits that stood strong

Sankrathiki Vasthunam (Telugu)

Thudarum (Malayalam)

Mirai (Telugu)

HIT: The 3rd Case (Telugu)

Bison: Kaalamaadan (Tamil)

Little Hearts (Telugu)

Mad Square (Telugu)

Kudumbasthan (Tamil)

The Girlfriend (Telugu)

Maaman (Tamil)

Raju Weds Rambai (Telugu)

Hits that did their job

These films may not have broken records, but they found their audience:

They Call Him OG (Telugu)

L2: Empuraan (Malayalam)

Good Bad Ugly (Tamil)

Dude (Tamil)

Kuberaa (Telugu/Tamil)

Thandel (Telugu)

Officer on Duty (Malayalam)

Alappuzha Gymkhana (Malayalam)

3BHK (Tamil)

Padakkalam (Malayalam)

The Pet Detective (Malayalam)

Marana Mass (Malayalam)

Ekka (Kannada)

Bromance (Malayalam)

K-Ramp (Telugu)

Prince and Family (Malayalam)

Kishkindhapuri (Telugu)

These films kept theatres alive week after week.

Average and below average: The grey zone

Not every film can fly. Some just walked.

Movies like ‘Coolie’, ‘Veera Dheera Sooran: Part 2’, ‘Ponman’, ‘Maargan’, ‘Identity’, ‘Narivetta’, ‘Idly Kadai’, and ‘Kingdom’ had moments of brilliance but couldn’t fully connect with the masses.

They weren’t disasters. But they weren’t victories either.

Flops and disasters: When expectations collapsed
2025 was also brutal. Big names fell hard.

Major Disasters:

Game Changer (Telugu)

Hari Hara Veera Mallu (Telugu)

Thug Life (Tamil)

Kannappa (Telugu)

Robinhood (Telugu)

Flops that hurt:

VidaaMuyarchi

Retro

Madharasi

Bazooka

Kaantha

Andhra King Taluka

DD Next Level

Mass Jathara

Dominic and the Ladies’ Purse

Gangers

Kadhalikka Neramillai

Junior

Mazaka

Nilavuku Enmel Ennadi Kobam

Aaryan

Arjun S/O Vyjayanthi

Bhairavam

Telusu Kada

These films showed that star power alone is no longer enough.

Still running and waiting for the verdict

Akhanda 2: Thaandavam

KalamKaval

Eko

The Devil

The year hasn’t fully closed its book yet. 2025 was not a perfect year. But it was a true cinema year.

Also Read: Year-Ender 2025: Records broken, Eras ended, and Taylor Swift found forever

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday visited the Swahid Smarak Kshetra at Paschim Boragaon in Guwahati, where he paid homage to the martyrs of the Assam Movement.

PM Modi will interact with 25 meritorious students of Assam as part of the ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’ programme in Guwahati. The interaction will be held on a cruise on the Brahmaputra River, marking a unique setting for the Prime Minister’s engagement with students ahead of examinations.

Later in the day, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of a fertiliser plant with a capacity of 12.7 lakh metric tonnes at Namrup in Dibrugarh district, a project aimed at strengthening fertiliser production and supporting agricultural growth in the region.

On Saturday, PM Modi inaugurated the New Terminal Building of Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport in Guwahati.

The Prime Minister also unveiled a statue of Bharat Ratna Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi at the entrance of the new terminal complex, paying tribute to the iconic leader and the first Chief Minister of Assam.

Addressing the gathering during the inauguration, Prime Minister Modi said that Assam and the entire Northeast are emerging as a new gateway to India’s development. He described the occasion as a celebration of development and progress for Assam and the northeastern region, adding that the transformation underway reflects the government’s sustained focus on infrastructure and connectivity.

Addressing the gathering on the occasion, PM Modi said that Saturday marks the festival of development and progress of Assam and the North East.

He highlighted that when the light of progress reaches people, every path in life begins to touch new heights. The Prime Minister further remarked that his deep attachment to the land of Assam, the love and affection of its people, and especially the warmth and belonging of the mothers and sisters of Assam and the Northeast, continuously inspire him and strengthen the collective resolve to develop the region. He highlighted that today, once again, a new chapter is being added in Assam’s development.

“Modern airport facilities and advanced connectivity infrastructure serve as gateways to new possibilities and opportunities for any state, and stand as pillars of growing confidence and trust among the people,” PM Modi noted.

He remarked that when people witness the construction of magnificent highways and airports in Assam, they themselves acknowledge that true justice for Assam has finally begun.

The BJP on Saturday strongly slammed the Trinamool Congress (TMC) for lodging a complaint against the party’s IT Cell chief Amit Malviya, which has now been converted into an FIR, asserting that raising concerns over developments in Bangladesh does not amount to a crime.

Speaking to IANS, BJP spokesperson Shatorupa said Malviya had merely expressed concern over the deteriorating situation in Bangladesh, which, she claimed, had caused anxiety among people in West Bengal as well.

“We are deeply disturbed by what is happening in Bangladesh. A Hindu youth was killed, his body tied to a tree and set on fire. Such incidents naturally scare Hindus in Bengal. At the same time, TMC leaders and MLAs like Humayun Kabir have made communally sensitive remarks, including claims about constructing a Babri Masjid in the state. Fundamentalist sentiments are rising in Bengal. Amit Malviya only expressed this concern, but the Trinamool Congress is trying to give it a different twist. We strongly condemn the FIR against our leader,” she said.

The FIR was registered following a complaint by TMC leader Tanmoy Ghosh at the Narendrapur police station under the Baruipur police district. Ghosh alleged that Malviya’s social media post threatened communal harmony and undermined the sovereignty of the country and West Bengal.

The complaint further accused Malviya of attempting to gain political mileage in Bengal by exploiting the unrest in Bangladesh, alleging that his post insulted the state, promoted communal incitement and endangered national sovereignty. Ghosh demanded the strictest legal action against the BJP leader.

There was no immediate official response from Malviya following the registration of the FIR.

However, TMC spokesperson and state secretary Kunal Ghosh said, “We do not support anyone making provocative statements which can create communal tension. Therefore, a complaint has been filed against the BJP leader.”

Meanwhile, Bangladesh has witnessed fresh unrest following the death of Inqilab platform leader Sharif Osman Hadi. Protests and mourning processions erupted across Dhaka, Chittagong and other regions on Thursday night, with students from several higher educational institutions also joining demonstrations. Sit-in protests were held at Shahbagh and elsewhere, which later escalated into violent unrest.

During the violence, offices of leading Bangladeshi newspapers Prothom Alo and The Daily Star were attacked, with the latter reportedly set on fire. The cultural institution Chhayanaut in Dhaka was vandalised. A Hindu youth was beaten to death, his body later hung from a tree and set ablaze.

Sharing videos of these incidents on X, Malviya warned that the rise of fundamentalism in Bangladesh could have implications for West Bengal.

“Last night, Islamist mobs vandalised Chhayanaut Bhavan, a historic institution and a cornerstone of Bengali arts and culture in Dhaka. The pattern unfolding in Bangladesh is unmistakable — attacks on media houses, journalists and cultural centres under Islamist pressure and intimidation. This is a warning,” Malviya wrote.

He further stated that prolonged political patronage, institutional erosion and selective silence were pushing West Bengal onto a “dangerous path,” adding that if the current regime continued beyond 2026, the consequences for the state would be “irreversible.”

Reacting sharply, TMC state general secretary Kunal Ghosh described Malviya’s post as “dangerous” and provocative.

“Comparing Bangladesh with West Bengal is not only an insult to our state but also a clear provocation. Police should urgently book him and take appropriate legal action,” Ghosh said in a post on X.

However, Ghosh also said that the situation in Bangladesh was serious and that the TMC was refraining from detailed comment as it involved international affairs.

“Our leadership is closely monitoring developments in the national interest. We support the stand taken by the Government of India. Minorities, Indians and media persons in Bangladesh must be protected. The Central government should take necessary steps and issue a statement,” he added.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the chaos during football legend Lionel Messi’s event in Kolkata held last week, has prevented the transfer of ticket sales money from the Yuba Bharati Krirangan to the account of the main organiser Satadru Dutta.

At the same time, numerous documents related to Messi’s event have been recovered from Dutta’s house in Hooghly district’s Rishra, police sources said.

It is also reported that Rs 22 crore have been seized from Dutta’s bank account.

Dutta is currently in police custody following his arrest on December 13.

On Friday, SIT members raided Dutta’s Rishra residence.

During the search, several documents related to Messi’s event as well as those linked to several bank accounts were recovered.

According to sources, the police took action immediately after recovering the account-related documents.

SIT sources said that a total of Rs 22 crore from Dutta’s bank account have been seized.

It is also reported that the estimated value of the tickets sold at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan on the day of the incident was nearly Rs 20 crore.

The SIT is taking swift action so that this money does not reach Satadru Dutta’s bank account.

According to sources, the third-party intermediary company through which the tickets were sold has already received instructions from the police.

The third party company have been told not to transfer the ticket sales money to Satadru Dutta’s bank account under any circumstances.

This is because, initially, it is understood that the compensation for the Yuba Bharati incident will be paid from that money.

On the other hand, Satadru Dutta claimed that he is not responsible for the ruckus on the day the incident took place.

However, due to the excessive crowd at the stadium, Satadru Dutta could not perform his event as planned.

According to sources, Satadru Dutta has blamed the West Bengal government over the mismanagement that unfolded.

He has highlighted the interference of several influential individuals within the state government regarding the distribution of the football event passes.

Satadru Dutta claimed that this led to the excessive crowd.

While, a large section of the state government blamed the private organiser for the entire incident, Satadru Dutta, during police questioning, has instead put the blame on the state government.

On December 13, the Salt Lake Stadium was full long before Messi’s event began.

The spectators were waiting to see their favourite footballer.

As soon as Messi arrived, many people surrounded him, trying to take pictures.

Messi’s security guards were also there.

Overall, a chaotic situation prevailed.

The spectators complained that they couldn’t even see Messi.

Messi left the field within just 22 minutes, following which vandalism began at the stadium.

Chairs and bottles were thrown onto the field from the stands.

Many spectators broke down the gates and entered the stadium.

Vandalism occurred in the galleries and restrooms of the Yuva Bharati Krirangan.

Following this incident, the state government formed an investigation committee following which the event organiser Satadru Dutta was arrested.

On Tuesday, Aroop Biswas resigned as the West Bengal Sports Minister while top IPS officers, including Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar was issued a show cause notice.

Another suicide has been reported in East Burdwan district in West Bengal due to alleged fear over deportation after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, the police said on Saturday.

A 53-year-old man, identified as Bhaskar Mukhopadhyay, committed suicide by hanging himself due to the fear of being deported because of an error in his documents in the SIR process. Although his ancestral home was in Chandannagar in Hooghly district, he currently used to reside in the Ausgram area of East Burdwan district.

The deceased’s family members said that Bhaskar Mukhopadhyay’s voter ID card mistakenly listed his father-in-law, Subimal Mukhopadhyay, as his parent instead of his father, Panchanan Mukhopadhyay. They allege that repeated attempts to correct the name were unsuccessful. The same incorrect name remained on the draft voters’ list that was recently published by the Election Commission after the first round of SIR.

Sources said he was terrified about what he would say if he were called for a hearing. The fear of being deported at this age had gripped his mind. Family members believe that this is why he took the extreme step.

The incident caused a stir in the area. Soon, the police were informed. Officers from Ausgram police station recovered the body and sent it for a post-mortem. A case of unnatural death has been registered. An investigation has started.

The deceased’s son, Ullash Mukhopadhyay, said, “My father’s frustration had increased significantly because his applications for name correction were not acted upon. He was also under mental stress.”

On the other hand, the deceased’s father-in-law, Subimal Sarkar, also expressed his anger against the administration. He said that despite repeated applications to the relevant department, no solution was found.

The incident has also sparked a political debate in the area. Trinamool Congress leader Debu Tudu said, “The BJP doesn’t care even if people in Bengal die or live. They want to go to any lengths to win the election here at the expense of people.”

Local BJP leader Debjyoti Singha Roy, however, countered the TMC by saying, “Trinamool Congress wanted to prevent the SIR from taking place from the beginning, which is why they are saying these things now.”

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has made it clear that district magistrates (DMs), who also function as district electoral officers (DEOs), will not be the controlling authorities of the micro-observers to be appointed for supervising hearing sessions on claims and objections to the draft voters’ list in West Bengal, scheduled to begin next week.

This means the micro-observers will neither be answerable to the DMs or DEOs nor bound by any instructions issued by them.

As per the Commission’s guidelines, the micro-observers will report only to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, and the special roll observers appointed by the ECI to review the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in the state, sources in the CEO’s office said.

They added that the micro-observers will function under the direct supervision of the special roll observers, who are either serving or retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers.

However, the CEO’s office clarified that DMs and DEOs will be responsible for providing logistical support to the micro-observers and ensuring their security during operations in the respective districts.

The hearing sessions in the second stage of the three-stage SIR exercise are likely to commence from December 27. The draft voters’ list was published on December 16.

Around 3,000 micro-observers will be appointed for the hearing sessions, with the aim of deploying one micro-observer at each hearing table.

As decided by the Commission, Central government employees or employees of Central public sector undertakings or public sector banks at Group-B level or above will be appointed as micro-observers.

The hearings on claims and objections will be conducted only at the offices of the DMs or DEOs. The SIR exercise in West Bengal began on November 4 and will conclude with the publication of the final voters’ list on February 14 next year. Thereafter, the ECI will announce the polling and counting dates for the Assembly elections.

Year-Ender 2025: From being a Billboard, top artist of the 21st century to saying ‘yes’ to Travis Kelce, 2025 was an unforgettable year for Taylor Swift and her fans. She has been creating historical moments for years, from boosting economies through her tours to becoming the most celebrated artist of all time, from making music for others to now owning all her music, she is an inspiration for many budding artists.

Here are some of the iconic moments of 2025 in Taylor’s life.

Also Read: Year-ender 2025: Bollywood films with big stars and big budgets that failed at the box office

‘Fate of Ophelia’: A song that defined an era

Taylor Swift’s new album has several super hits which charted on top lists, but this song was the fans’ favourite. As the first song on the track list ‘Fate of Ophelia’ set the stage for the album ‘The Life of a Showgirl’.

With fun and poetic vocals and lyrics with certain erudite references. It was the perfect song for a cinematic music video. The music video which was written and directed by Taylor Swift herself became one of the most iconic songs of all time.

It shows the different errors of the showgirl with a picture, and perfect choreography.

Billboard’s artist of the 21st century

Taylor Swift is one of the most iconic artists, and no one in the 21st century can be as versatile in creating songs of different genres, developing new themed videos, selling out stadiums, and breaking the internet as Taylor Swift does.

Therefore, being honoured as Billboard’s artist of the 21st century is entirely justified. No one knows how she will meet the fans’ expectations in the future, but none can exceed her popularity, and she still has a long way to go and will likely chart more hits in the coming years.

A podcast moment that broke the internet

In the era of podcasts, Travis and Jonson Kelsey’s podcast does stand out from the crowd. Taylor Swift has never been on the podcasts ever, but this year it was the first time she appeared on the platform and this one of the most memorable podcasts full of nuanced chats and shared classes between Taylor and Travis became viral.

But the announcement of her new album crashed the internet as she told the word about the life of a showgirl on this podcast.

It is foreseen that the album is inspired by Travis, this felt like the perfect way to spread the news about their love for each other.

Winning the ‘Tour of the Century’ award

The era’s tour was one of the most iconic tour of the century. This was the shared dream of the million fans of Taylor Swift across the globe. So when iheart Radio music award announced it as of the century, fans could not keep calm.

With years of shows in countless countries, breaking attendance and ticket sales no one can see that craziness for any other artists in the coming year.

The End of an Era, captured forever

Before Taylor Swift’s 36th birthday, the release of six part documentary that details the behind-the-scenes aspects of the era’s tour was the cherry on the top. This show is all about the group effort by various people, bringing the name, face and reputation of Taylor in front of her audience.

Also Read: ‘Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour – The End of an Era’ OTT release date, time, and where to watch in India

We see how they made this show come together seamlessly from one night to the next with no single blunder or mishap in the tour.Along with the docu series in the release of a new concert film, where we got to relive or experience Taylor’s final show of the tour in Vancouver.

The engagement that made fans believe in love, again

Taylor Swift’s love life has been the focus of media attention and fans’ speculations for such a long time, but after she announced her engagement with NFL player Travis Kelce it put smiles on everyone’s faces.

They both appeared together on different occasions rooting for each other, and fans were curious to know their relationship status. So when they finally exchanged rings in summer 2025 the pictures got viral instantly.

Fans were super happy to see the adorable pictures they posted on their social media accounts. And now everyone is waiting for them to tie the knot in 2026.

2025 was a celebration of everything Taylor Swift represents. Creative freedom, resilience, growth, and love. She owned her music, honoured her journey, and embraced happiness on her own terms.

Also Read: Year-ender 2025: From Zubeen Garg to Dharmendra and Manoj Kumar, the stars we said goodbye to

At least 10 people were killed and another 10 injured after unidentified gunmen opened fire in a village on the outskirts of Johannesburg, South African police said. Emergency services and law enforcement officials responded to the scene, where multiple victims were found with gunshot wounds.

According to police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the shooting took place at the KwaNoxolo Tavern in the Tambo section of Bekkersdal in West Rand. Mathe said that in addition to those targeted at the tavern, some of the victims were shot at random while they were on the street by unidentified gunmen.

Authorities have launched a full-scale investigation into the incident. Gauteng Acting Police Commissioner Fred Kekana said, “We are still busy obtaining statements. Our national crime and management team has arrived.”

He added that multiple specialised units had been deployed to the scene. “The provincial crime scene management team has arrived, and a team from the local criminal record centre is here, so is our serious crime investigating team, crime intelligence, and the provincial crime detective team is on scene,” he said.

Police said the motive behind the attack remains unclear, and the suspect has not yet been identified.

There have been multiple mass shootings in the country in last few years. This shooting act marks the second such incident reported in South Africa this month. On 06 December, twelve people were killed after gunmen opened fire at a hostel in Pretoria.

The All India Football Federation held its Executive Committee
(ExCo) and Annual General Body (AGM) meetings on Saturday, both of which were chaired
by Federation President Kalyan Chaubey at Football House in New Delhi.
A proposal regarding the future of the ISL was submitted by 10 clubs and presented at the AGM by Vinay Chopra, CEO of Mohun Bagan Super Giant. Due to mixed reactions from the assembly regarding the clubs’ request to manage the league in perpetuity, the Federation appointed a three-member committee to seek a resolution.

This committee, consisting of Kerala Football Association President Navas Meeran, Goa Football Association President Caitano Fernandes, and Indian Football Association (West Bengal) Secretary Anirban Datta, along with AIFF Deputy Secretary General M. Satyanarayan as the ex-officio member, will hold discussions with representatives from five clubs, Chennaiyin FC, Mumbai City FC, Delhi SC, NorthEast United FC, and Mohun Bagan SG from December 22 to 29.

Their objective is to reach an agreement that adheres to the AIFF Constitution laid out by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India.
The House also addressed a proposal from I-League clubs by forming a three-member committee. This committee includes Andhra Pradesh Football Association President Kotagiri Sridhar, Mizoram Football Association Honourary Secretary Lalrengpuia, and Punjab Football Association Honourary Secretary Harjinder Singh, who will work with the AIFF Deputy Secretary General to find a solution.

If necessary, the AIFF will consult with FIFA and the AFC to review how similar situations in other nations were handled as precedents.
During these proceedings, the respective observers from FIFA and the AFC, Prince Rufus and Niren Mukherjee, advised that the AIFF Constitution remains the governing authority for these decisions.

Official objection letters from Executive Committee Members Avijit Paul and Valanka Alemao, along with East Bengal FC Director Debabrata Sarkar, who wrote on behalf of Emami East Bengal FC, were formally placed on record during the meeting.
Additionally, as required by the Federation’s Constitution, the General Body approved the appointment of several retired Supreme Court and High Court judges, a former Chief Election Commissioner, and various high-ranking IPS and DGP officials as the Chairpersons and Deputy Chairpersons of the Independent Judiciary Committees.

India’s top men’s doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, saw their impressive run at the BWF World Tour Finals 2025 come to an end in the semi-finals, going down 21-10, 17-21, 15-21 to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang.

The Indian pair started strongly, taking the opening game in commanding fashion, but the Chinese duo turned the contest around in the latter stages, settling for a bronze medal.
Satwiksairaj-Chirag, third in the badminton rankings, started the match slowly against the world No. 5 pair Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who took a 4-1 early lead in the opening game.

But India’s shuttlers stormed back; Sat-Chi took control and dominated the rest of the game. The Chinese pair fought back in game 2, going neck and neck. Tied at 15-all, Liang-Wei Keng and Wang Chang clinched crucial points, pushing it to a decider.
Unlike the build-up, the second game proved to be a rather one-sided affair with Wang Chang taking control of the net and Liang Wei Keng’s devastating flick serves, leaving the Indians stranded.
This was Satwik-Chirag’s eighth defeat in 12 matches against the Chinese pair. Five of these clashes have been in 2025.

Sat-Chi had topped Group B after going unbeaten in three matches to become the first Indian doubles team to enter the knockout stages of the season-ending badminton tournament.
This is also only the second BWF World Tour Finals medal ever won by Indian shuttlers. PV Sindhu, who won the women’s singles title in 2018, remains the only gold medallist from the country in the competition.

BJP leader Dilip Ghosh on Sunday said that the responsibility for alleged irregularities in the voter list in West Bengal lies with Booth Level Officers (BLOs), claiming that they have acted under pressure from the ruling Trinamool Congress.

“In Bengal, just like Bihar, some Booth Level Officers (BLOs) have committed serious irregularities due to pressure from the Trinamool Congress. Hence, lakhs of names will be deleted from the electoral rolls. If even a single name has been wrongly added to the voter list, the BLO concerned is to be held responsible,” Ghosh said while speaking to IANS.

He asserted that strict action would follow against those found guilty of manipulating the voter rolls. “All those involved will have to face action; some may receive show-cause notices, while others could be sent to jail. They should be prepared. The list will be cleansed,” Ghosh added.

Meanwhile, following the publication of the draft electoral roll under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in West Bengal on December 11, the Election Commission of India (ECI) is set to begin hearings for electors who are dissatisfied with mapping details or for unmapped voters. These include individuals whose information could not be linked with the 2002 SIR data but whose names still appeared in the draft electoral rolls.

The hearings are scheduled to commence after December 25. The ECI has decided to develop dedicated software under which each elector summoned for the hearing will be assigned a separate account to streamline the process. The Election Commission has also announced that more than 4,000 micro-observers will be recruited from various Central government organisations for the exercise. These micro-observers will function as the eyes of the ECI at each hearing table, recording proceedings in detail and submitting their reports directly to the Commission.