'Many devout religious people have told me categorically that they like celebrating festivals, but they are vehemently against the noise pollution and traffic obstruction that are being imposed under the pretext of celebrations.'
Vidyanand Bapat, a Pune-based activist advocating for a ban on high-decibel DJ systems and loudspeakers during festivals, was publicly assaulted by a man named Santosh Chavan while speaking to media persons.
In Pune, 31 prominent Ganapati mandals celebrated a "DJ-free" Dahi Handi, advocating for traditional instruments over high-decibel sound systems for upcoming festivals like Ganeshotsav. This initiative, led by Punit Balan, aims to preserve Maharashtra's cultural heritage and reduce noise pollution, gaining support from around 200 mandals and the Chief Minister.
Maharashtra ministers are divided over the use of high-decibel DJ systems during Hindu festivals. While Minister Yogesh Kadam asserts that festival sound will not be stopped, his colleagues Sanjay Shirsat and Meghana Bordikar advocate for adherence to noise pollution norms, with Bordikar citing a personal tragedy. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has also called for a return to traditional celebrations and a consensus on restricting DJ systems.
With the duration of stay capped at four years, the biggest impact of the new F-1 visa rules is likely to be on PhD scholars, students enrolled in longer professional programmes, those whose graduation gets delayed and students moving from one academic programme to another, highlight education experts.
Dahi Handi celebrations in Maharashtra turned tragic with two fatalities and over 130 'Govindas' injured. A seven-year-old boy died in Mumbai after a brick column collapsed, while a woman was crushed by an iron frame in Pune. Authorities are investigating the incidents, and political leaders have urged for safety during the festivities.
Be it traditional or western wear, she knows how to pick the right styles.
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.
Hey Kai Navin? begins to falter, because the show leans too heavily into saccharine sentimentality, often choosing non-fussy conflicts over narrative depth, notes Mayur Sanap.
While often taking a playful approach too.
Courts cannot be the only hope for those fighting hate speech. Countering its effects on the ground takes more effort. With our political parties unwilling to put in that amount of effort, it's left to citizens to do so, points out Jyoti Punwani.
'City Of Dreams ended the shameless self-promotion that my films had to be necessarily subjected to.'
Namrata Thakker takes a look at his Instagram feed to find out.
Kriti goes green... Sonakshi picks black... Mouni gets her blush on...
It is sporadically chilling but the disparate elements take forever to come together, notes Deepa Gahlot.
Bhikaji Cama, a hero of India's freedom, was the first to unfurl the Indian tricolour on foreign soil.
Why this fashion trend has become the new celebrity obsession
Marathi film folk were honoured at the Filmfare Awards Marathi 2025.
During the Ganpati festival, you can look every inch the Marathi mulgi.
Looking at the OTT releases coming up this summer.
Raat Jawaan Hai is funny, sometimes intense, but most importantly it's so relatable, recommends Namrata Thakker.
Sejal Shah's flatly-narrated timeline would probably serve better as a documentary, observes Sukanya Verma.
With Ganesh Chaturthi just around the corner, it's time for the shringaar that will make you an Insta star.
The fifth Filmfare OTT Awards 2024 was held on December 1 in Mumbai, and it saw a lot of glamour.
The length and drape of the sari varies; some may be less than the traditional six yards, like the half sari, while others like the Maharashtrian Nnauvari or the Tamilian Madisar is be nine yards. Kodagu saris too can be nine yards long.
'It's always the men who are going crazy, barbaad. They never show a woman going crazy like that.' 'A woman has to be very proper, sitting on a swing, crying.'
The top court rapped the poll panel for not holding the by-election for the seat for such a long period despite the law mandating conducting polls expeditiously.
It's a mixed plate in theatres this October, and OTT has a lot of interesting releases coming up as well.
The actor's guide to a healthy skin and a long-lasting relationship.
Zindaginama keeps its tone hopeful and steers away from making the stories tragic or depressing, observes Deepa Gahlot.
The BJP has also not declared the candidate for Mumbai North Central, which was won by Poonam Mahajan, daughter of late Pramod Mahajan, in 2014 and 2019 on the party ticket.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday failed to retain Kasba Peth assembly seat, its stronghold in Maharashtra's Pune district, as Congress candidate Ravindra Dhangekar defeated the saffron party nominee Hemant Rasane in the bypoll.
'Nobody told me upfront that you are a Marathi girl so we will not cast you.' 'I questioned myself: 'Am I not good enough?' 'Am I not good-looking to be in this industry?''
Thackeray wondered why the BJP has not fielded any member of the Lokmanya Tilak family for the Kasba bypoll.
Priyanka Chopra was delighted at the grand premiere of her international Web series Citadel on April 4.
Raveena's on a holiday... Emraan's in Srinagar... Mouni's airport look...
Bigg Boss OTT is down to its five finalists: Shamita Shetty, Divya Agarwal, Pratik Sehajpal, Nishant Bhat and Raqesh Bapat.
Ranveer's feeling blue... Shamita poses with her ex... Richa steps out in the rain...
Amazon Prime Video has announced a huge number of assorted Web series and movies, and the slate sure looks interesting.
