Social media sensation Dharna Durga, known for her humorous and relatable content, is making her big leap into mainstream cinema with a parallel lead role in the upcoming Netflix film Maa Behen, starring alongside Madhuri Dixit and Tripti Dimri.
West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh asserted that eating non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja is not controversial, countering Bageshwar Dham head priest Dhirendra Shastri's call for vegetarianism. Ghosh highlighted Bengal's traditions, including goat sacrifice as prasad, and criticised attempts to dictate food choices or government involvement in community pujas. He also touched upon a controversy regarding an 11-handed Durga idol.
West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya's comments recalling the role of non-Bengali communities during the 1946 communal riots and alleging past restrictions on Durga Puja have drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties, including the TMC, Congress, and CPI(M). Bhattacharya appealed for unity for peaceful Durga Puja celebrations, while opposition leaders accused him of divisive politics and distorting history.
A committee formed by West Bengal's BJP government is considering proposals to rename several prominent roads, bridges, and public places in Kolkata, including those named after communist leaders Vladimir Lenin, Karl Marx, and Ho Chi Minh. This move has sparked sharp criticism from the Trinamool Congress and CPI(M), who view it as "vendetta politics" and an attempt to disrespect differing ideologies.
Actor-MP Kangana Ranaut and movie legend Sharmila Tagore are embroiled in a public debate over Vande Mataram.
The Revolutionaries never draws you into its world nor explains the mind and motivation of its heroes or even the mood within a nation they're going through so much trouble for, observes Sukanya Verma.
Heavy rains lashed Delhi, triggering waterlogging and traffic disruptions across several parts of the national capital.
Around 600 children are unaccounted for in Nepal's Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts following devastating flash floods, which have raised the death toll to 1,282 with over 4,700 people still missing.
Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh have secured their spots in the Division A semifinals of the Junior Women National Hockey Championship in Pune. Jharkhand won a thrilling shootout against Odisha, while Haryana and Chhattisgarh recorded decisive victories. Madhya Pradesh also advanced after defeating Manipur, setting up exciting semifinal clashes.
Odisha Police have arrested Raja Sahani, an undertrial prisoner who escaped from Choudwar Circle Jail in Cuttack during last year's Durga Puja celebrations. He was apprehended in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, after months on the run.
Sneha Singh, after a recent victory, enters the 12th leg of the Women's Pro Golf Tour with high hopes. She faces strong competition from players like Vani Kapoor, Ridhima Dilawari, and Amandeep Drall, aiming to maintain her form and consistency in the Rs. 17 lakh prize purse event.
Ridhima Dilawari shot a superb 5-under 67 to take a three-shot lead in the opening round of Leg 12 of the Women's Pro Golf Tour. Three players are tied for second, while several other experienced golfers are further behind.
Indian civilisation has long imagined wealth and power as feminine forces. And yet, when these qualities appear in real women, admiration sometimes gives way to discomfort, observes Vatsal Ramaiya.
Team India secured a dominant 2-0 victory over Kazakhstan in their opening Group C match at the Badminton Asia Junior Mixed Team Championships in Yatsushiro, Tokyo, sealing their spot in the quarterfinals. The Indian team showcased strong performances in both sets, preparing for their upcoming clash against Chinese Taipei.
Vande Mataram, the national song that has stirred passions and political controversies for more than a century, received legal protection on Thursday with Parliament passing a bill making any insult to it a punishable offence, rekindling the long-running debate over its place in India's history and identity.
Ridhima Dilawari extended her overnight lead to two shots after the second round of the tenth leg of the Hero Women's Pro Golf Tour in Kolar. Despite a late double bogey, Dilawari carded a 1-under 71, bringing her total to 5-under 139. Amandeep Drall and Vidhatri Urs are tied for second, two shots behind. Other notable performances include Vani Kapoor in fourth and young Saanvi Somu at even par.
Amateur golfer Alysha Dutt has taken a one-shot lead in the ninth leg of the Women's Pro Golf Tour in Hosur, carding a brilliant 5-under 67, which included a stunning eagle. She is closely followed by Amandeep Drall and four other golfers.
Vani Kapoor secured a comfortable victory in the ninth leg of the Hero Women's Pro Golf Tour at Clover Greens, Hosur. Her impressive performance, including five birdies in the final 10 holes, led her to finish 11-under, three shots ahead of Anvvi Dahhiya. This marks Kapoor's first win of 2026, following a successful 2025 season.
From chaotic comic reels to now making her acting debut with Maa Behen, Dharna Durga has slowly become one of the internet's most relatable stars.
'The Ayodhya incident has certainly hurt the faith of all of us, of Ram devotees like us.'
'I am looking for something challenging that excites me enough to go on the set and work every day.'
Alpha is a botched up opportunity, rues Sukanya Verma.
Is one awards ceremony enough for the unending OTT content that keeps spilling into our digital platforms? Obviously not. After the seventh edition of the Iconic Gold Awards in February, the Iconic Gold Streaming Awards 2026 were held on June 30 in Mumbai.
Durga Puja celebrations hit a notch higher as many more film folk paid the North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Pooja pandal a visit to seek blessings, partake in the bhog and even serve it.
Srinagar International Airport will suspend all flight operations for 15 days from October 1 for crucial runway maintenance, raising alarm bells within the tourism industry that fears the shutdown will deal a massive blow to the sector as it directly clashes with the peak Durga Puja holiday season.
The question nobody seems to ask is why a democracy should be silent when many of its citizens are concerned about the way the US is deviating from its traditional ways of consultation, cooperation and collaboration and moving away from traditional allies, asks Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.
Glimpses of Prime Minister Narendra Modi participating in the Durga Puja celebrations at Chittaranjan Park in New Delhi on the occasion of Maha Ashtami on Tuesday, September 30, 2025.
Heavy monsoon rains have severely impacted Thane and Palghar, Mumbai's neighbouring districts, causing extensive waterlogging, tree and wall collapses, and prompting significant rescue efforts, including the tragic death of a six-year-old child.
Madhuri's mix of silly, starry-eyed, sly and sentimental doesn't miss a single beat. A flawless Triptii Dimri steals the show in a role, finally worthy of her talent, applauds Sukanya Verma.
The developments came after an FIR was registered in the alleged embezzlement of donations received at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
One of the finest minds in theatre, besides being an exceptional actor and filmmaker. She showed me just how much I still had to learn and understand.'
Fondly remembering for his memorable spells at Eden Gardens, the former cricketer expressed gratitude towards the city and its people, saying he would forever cherish his bond with Kolkata.
Vijaya Mehta's eyes were always twinkling, her smile was always warm, her sari usually a collector's piece. She put on no elder statesman airs. But when she was in director mode, she allowed her actors and technicians no slack. Deepa Gahlot doffs her hat to the undisputed doyenne of Marathi theatre and one of India's most influential directors and actors, who shaped the landscape of Indian experimental theatre.
The H-1B visa once symbolised the American Dream for Indians, but today's students are increasingly asking whether they need America at all. In 1995, the question was: How do I get to America? In 2026, it may be: Do I need to?
In a momentous occasion after the Bharatiya Janata Party's win, the Durga temple in Asansol, reopened its doors to devotees after remaining shut for several years.
All India junior ranking medallists Tanvi Patri and Abhinav Garg will spearhead the Indian contingent at the Badminton Asia Junior (U-19) championships in Yatsushiro, Japan, from June 26 to July 5. The Badminton Association of India (BAI) is confident of a strong performance and multiple medals from the squad, which includes direct selections and players chosen through trials.
The once promising YRF Spy Universe, which delivered Bollywood's first Rs 500 crore grosser with Pathaan, is now grappling with an uncertain future as recent releases like Alpha and War 2 fail to ignite the box office.
Professional golfer Riya Jadon, 17, took the lead on the opening day of the seventh leg of the Women's Pro Golf Tour in Mysuru, finishing 3-under 67. She is one stroke ahead of Tvesa Malik, with Anvvi Dahhiya and Vidhatri Urs also scoring under-par.
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'I've asked them so many times that after going through gruelling shoot sessions for 30-40 years, what keeps your passion alive? I think it's the discipline to show up.'
