News for 'First Direct'

Elvis to Michael: 10 Musical Biopics With The Biggest Openings

Elvis to Michael: 10 Musical Biopics With The Biggest Openings

Rediff.com28 Apr 2026

The Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, has made an explosive debut at the worldwide box office, setting new records for the highest opening weekend for a music biopic.

Haryana Sacks Official Over Rs 590 Crore Bank Fraud

Haryana Sacks Official Over Rs 590 Crore Bank Fraud

Rediff.com25 Apr 2026

The Haryana government has dismissed an official from the Development and Panchayat Department in connection with a Rs 590 crore fraud case involving IDFC First Bank. The decision follows a detailed investigation that revealed a criminal conspiracy and substantial evidence against the official.

'Modi's Concerned About India's Economic Vulnerabilities'

'Modi's Concerned About India's Economic Vulnerabilities'

Rediff.com14 May 2026

'...especially pressure on the rupee, the current account deficit, and foreign exchange outflows.' 'The key question over the next several months is whether the government can prevent external turbulence from feeding into domestic economic pessimism.'

Pak ISI behind Punjab bomb blasts on Op Sindoor anniv: Cops

Pak ISI behind Punjab bomb blasts on Op Sindoor anniv: Cops

Rediff.com6 May 2026

Punjab Police are investigating a low-intensity explosion near the army cantonment boundary wall in Amritsar's Khasa. The DGP suspects Pakistan's ISI may be involved, coinciding with the Operation Sindoor anniversary. Investigations are underway with multiple teams utilising various intelligence resources to apprehend the perpetrators.

10 Famous Maa Temples

10 Famous Maa Temples

Rediff.com11 May 2026

We journey to 10 famous Maa temples, each devoted to a different form of Devi or the female force...

HC grants bail to Narendra Dabholkar murder convict Sharad Kalaskar

HC grants bail to Narendra Dabholkar murder convict Sharad Kalaskar

Rediff.com29 Apr 2026

The Bombay High Court granted bail to Sharad Kalaskar, convicted in the 2013 Narendra Dabholkar murder case, suspending his life sentence and questioning his identity as the assailant and the integrity of eyewitnesses.

Dev Congratulates BJP, Calls For Unity In Tollywood

Dev Congratulates BJP, Calls For Unity In Tollywood

Rediff.com6 May 2026

Actor-turned-TMC MP Dev congratulated the BJP on winning the West Bengal assembly elections and expressed hope that the new government would protect artistic freedom and unity within the Bengali film industry.

Indian Football League: Namdhari FC boost survival hopes With dominant win over Real Kashmir

Indian Football League: Namdhari FC boost survival hopes With dominant win over Real Kashmir

Rediff.com5 May 2026

Namdhari FC secured a 3-0 victory against Real Kashmir FC in the Indian Football League, boosting their survival hopes. Goals from Manvir Singh, Manish Chaudhary, and Najib Fuseini Ibrahim sealed the win, while Real Kashmir were reduced to 10 men after a red card.

Sindhu To Champion Player Voices On BWF Council

Sindhu To Champion Player Voices On BWF Council

Rediff.com27 Apr 2026

Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu has been appointed to the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Council, where she will represent the voices of badminton players globally.

Odisha govt slaps Rs 233 crore penalty on Vedanta for 'illegal' water extraction

Odisha govt slaps Rs 233 crore penalty on Vedanta for 'illegal' water extraction

Rediff.com4 May 2026

The Odisha government has issued a notice to Vedanta Aluminium Limited, Jharsuguda, demanding 233.11 crore for allegedly extracting over 30 lakh cubic metres of water monthly from the Bheden river system without authorisation between May 2025 and April 2026, a charge the company denies, claiming compliance with existing agreements.

The Sheep Detectives Review: Charming, Heartfelt

The Sheep Detectives Review: Charming, Heartfelt

Rediff.com8 May 2026

The Sheep Detectives is delightful and wholesome in the way family movies used to be before kids started getting too smart to be easily pleased, observes Deepa Gahlot.

10 Iconic Mammootty-Mohanlal Movies

10 Iconic Mammootty-Mohanlal Movies

Rediff.com27 Apr 2026

Malayalam cinema legends Mammootty and Mohanlal are set to reunite on screen in Mahesh Narayanan's espionage thriller 'Patriot' after 18 years, with Mammootty in the lead and Mohanlal in an extended cameo.

Who Will Win Kerala's Game Of Thrones?

Who Will Win Kerala's Game Of Thrones?

Rediff.com11 May 2026

Already, within the week of the election results it became apparent that the Congress' DNA has not changed from its traditional approach to politics as but a game of thrones, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Avoid destination weddings, prefer online classes: Modi continues austerity push

Avoid destination weddings, prefer online classes: Modi continues austerity push

Rediff.com11 May 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed to citizens to adopt austerity measures, including avoiding destination weddings abroad and reducing edible oil consumption, to mitigate the impact of the West Asia crisis on India's economy.

WFI Blocks Vinesh Phogat's Wrestling Comeback

WFI Blocks Vinesh Phogat's Wrestling Comeback

Rediff.com11 May 2026

Vinesh Phogat's attempt to compete in the National Open Ranking tournament was rejected by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), leading to a confrontation where she alleged a 'pre-planned conspiracy' to prevent her return to wrestling.

Must-Learn Leadership Lessons From HDFC Bank's Aditya Puri

Must-Learn Leadership Lessons From HDFC Bank's Aditya Puri

Rediff.com30 Apr 2026

Aditya Puri is one of the cleanest examples we have, in Indian corporate history, of a leader who understood early that the measure of his work was not what happened while he was in the chair. It was what would keep happening when he was no longer there, says Suresh M K.

Rohit Shetty House Firing: Police File Chargesheet Against 17

Rohit Shetty House Firing: Police File Chargesheet Against 17

Rediff.com30 Apr 2026

Mumbai police have filed a 1624-page chargesheet against 17 accused in connection with the firing incident at filmmaker Rohit Shetty's residence. The chargesheet was presented in a special MCOCA court, detailing the involvement of 15 arrested individuals and two wanted suspects linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

Punjab FC blank Zinc FA to defend AIFF Youth League title

Punjab FC blank Zinc FA to defend AIFF Youth League title

Rediff.com28 Apr 2026

Punjab FC defeated Zinc Football Academy 3-0 to successfully defend their AIFF Elite Youth League title, with three second-half goals sealing the victory.

US-Iran peace talks stall in Pakistan: What derailed the deal

US-Iran peace talks stall in Pakistan: What derailed the deal

Rediff.com12 Apr 2026

The US and Iranian delegations left Pakistan after failing to reach an agreement in historic talks aimed at resolving the West Asia conflict and stabilising global energy markets.

Punjab To Enact Anti-Drug Law To Confiscate Properties

Punjab To Enact Anti-Drug Law To Confiscate Properties

Rediff.com7 May 2026

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced the state government will introduce an anti-drug law allowing for the confiscation of drug smugglers' properties. Mann criticised previous administrations for enabling drug trafficking and highlighted the enactment of an anti-sacrilege law, promising stricter measures against sacrilege and drug-related offences.

IPL 2026: Gill, Rashid dazzle as Titans register dominant win over Royals

IPL 2026: Gill, Rashid dazzle as Titans register dominant win over Royals

Rediff.com9 May 2026

Shubman Gill's explosive 84 and Sai Sudharsan's fluent 55 powered Gujarat Titans to a formidable 229/4 against Rajasthan Royals in their IPL match. Gill's innings, marked by elegant strokeplay and aggressive intent, set the stage for Gujarat's dominance.

Why Congress-DMK split threatens INDIA bloc's existence

Why Congress-DMK split threatens INDIA bloc's existence

Rediff.com9 May 2026

The INDIA bloc faces a significant challenge as the Congress and DMK part ways, raising questions about the alliance's future and unity.

Women voters shift away from TMC despite welfare push

Women voters shift away from TMC despite welfare push

Rediff.com5 May 2026

Women voters in West Bengal appear to be shifting their priorities beyond financial assistance, placing greater emphasis on governance and accountability, according to post-election analysis. This shift may have contributed to the Trinamool Congress's (TMC) losses in the recent assembly election, as the BJP's promises and other factors influenced voter sentiment.

'He was not in uniform, yet he served like a frontline soldier'

'He was not in uniform, yet he served like a frontline soldier'

Rediff.com7 May 2026

The family of Dr Raj Kumar Thapa, a JKAS officer killed in Pakistan shelling in Rajouri, remembers his sacrifice and dedication to duty a year after his death.

'We Will See A Different BJP In Bengal'

'We Will See A Different BJP In Bengal'

Rediff.com7 May 2026

'In West Bengal, the BJP's ideology of Hindutva will be customised to cater to the culture and the cultural imperatives of Bengalis.'

10 Hindi Films That Explored Mature Romances

10 Hindi Films That Explored Mature Romances

Rediff.com7 May 2026

Ahead of Daadi Ki Shaadi's release, here's looking at Bollywood's history of mature romances, from classics like Aandhi to modern hits like Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani, which showed that love needs no retirement age.

IPL 2026: Franchises scramble as BCCI tightens security

IPL 2026: Franchises scramble as BCCI tightens security

Rediff.com9 May 2026

The BCCI has issued a stern advisory to IPL franchises following concerns about security breaches, unauthorised guests, and players' interactions with social media influencers. Franchises are now working to comply with the new regulations while respecting individual privacy.

India Boosts Sea Strike Power with New Anti-Ship Missile

India Boosts Sea Strike Power with New Anti-Ship Missile

Rediff.com1 May 2026

India has successfully conducted the maiden salvo launch of the indigenously developed Naval Anti-Ship Missile-Short Range.

Mumbai Police File Chargesheet In Rohit Shetty Firing Case

Mumbai Police File Chargesheet In Rohit Shetty Firing Case

Rediff.com30 Apr 2026

Mumbai police have filed a chargesheet against 17 accused in the Rohit Shetty house firing case, revealing the motive was to establish gang supremacy.

Why Saif Ali Khan Was Told Not To Play A Cop

Why Saif Ali Khan Was Told Not To Play A Cop

Rediff.com8 May 2026

'Shah Rukh Sir gave us a lot of room to make the film we wanted to make.'

Pakistan to continue facilitating US-Iran talks, urges both to uphold ceasefire

Pakistan to continue facilitating US-Iran talks, urges both to uphold ceasefire

Rediff.com12 Apr 2026

Pakistan has announced its commitment to continue facilitating talks between the United States and Iran, urging both nations to uphold the ceasefire agreement. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar highlighted Pakistan's role in mediating recent discussions and expressed hope for durable peace and regional stability.

Affordable housing may lose more ground as costs rise

Affordable housing may lose more ground as costs rise

Rediff.com5 May 2026

The ongoing West Asia conflict is expected to severely impact the supply of affordable housing in India, as rising input costs further erode already thin developer margins. Fluctuations in crude oil and gas prices, coupled with higher freight costs, are driving up prices of essential construction materials like cement and steel, making new projects increasingly unviable for developers.

The Only Indian Film Competing At Cannes

The Only Indian Film Competing At Cannes

Rediff.com5 May 2026

'Cinema is such a powerful medium. It is not just the emotional impact, but some of these films are so strong that your entire body cannot help but react.'

Why IOA Sacked Official From Equestrian Federation Ad-Hoc Panel

Why IOA Sacked Official From Equestrian Federation Ad-Hoc Panel

Rediff.com8 May 2026

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) removed Col Ashok Yadav (Retd) from the ad-hoc committee running the affairs of the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) citing infighting and disagreements within the panel.

Delhi Police Uncover Counterfeit Branded Garments Racket

Delhi Police Uncover Counterfeit Branded Garments Racket

Rediff.com5 May 2026

Delhi Police have busted a racket selling counterfeit branded garments and accessories in Vasant Kunj, arresting one person and seizing a large stock of fake products.

Undekhi 4: The Final Battle's Chaotic Conclusion

Undekhi 4: The Final Battle's Chaotic Conclusion

Rediff.com1 May 2026

The fourth season of Undekhi attempts to conclude the saga of the powerful Atwal family but struggles with an overcomplicated plot and a multitude of characters, observes Deepa Gahlot.

Allahabad HC Issues Guidelines For Trials In Absentia

Allahabad HC Issues Guidelines For Trials In Absentia

Rediff.com7 May 2026

The Allahabad High Court has issued a detailed procedure for conducting criminal trials in the absence of proclaimed offenders, as per section 356 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, aiming to ensure speedy justice.

Court Orders FIR Against UP Police For Tampering With Statement

Court Orders FIR Against UP Police For Tampering With Statement

Rediff.com23 Apr 2026

A court in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, has ordered the registration of an FIR against police personnel for allegedly tampering with a young woman's statement to falsely implicate the accused in a case.

Court Orders Rape Accused To Pay Monthly Support

Court Orders Rape Accused To Pay Monthly Support

Rediff.com24 Apr 2026

The High Court of Karnataka has directed a petitioner accused of repeated rape on false promise of marriage to pay Rs 75,000 monthly towards the sustenance of the victim and their 10-month-old child, while granting an interim stay on further criminal proceedings against him.

Pirojsha Godrej: 'Godrej Aims To Become Rs 5 Trillion Market-Cap Group In 5 Years'

Pirojsha Godrej: 'Godrej Aims To Become Rs 5 Trillion Market-Cap Group In 5 Years'

Rediff.com8 May 2026

'We are targeting a 2.5x to 3x increase in valuation by FY31.'