Here's some sizzle from the IIFA Utsavam night, which was dedicated to the south film industries of Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada.
Film stars and technicians were awarded at the IIFA awards over the weekend, and here are the big winners.
Sanju Samson's ebullient maiden T20 International hundred dotted India's resounding 133-run victory and 3-0 series sweep over a listless Bangladesh.
In an early match, Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt secured a 3-2 home victory against FC Porto thanks to a brace from Jens Petter Hauge, despite going down to 10 men in the 51st minute.
The interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus as the Chief Adviser has asked Bangladesh's envoys in India, Brussels, Canberra, Lisbon, and the Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York to return immediately and report to the foreign ministry here as part of the latest reshuffle.
Oscar-winning music composer A R Rahman has agreed to be a Goodwill Ambassador of the Indian Olympic contingent for the Rio Games. He joins cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar, ace shooter Abhinav Bindra and Bollywood star Salman Khan, who all had earlier accepted the role offered by the Indian Olympic Association.
The former Olympian acknowledged that while the PHF's financial situation was challenging and that players had faced delays in their travel allowances and daily subsistence payments, these issues did not justify abandoning the national team and bringing disrepute to the country.
'When he played his inner light shone so bright! His joy embraced us all... we experienced divinity.'
Bangladesh middle-order batter Towhid Hridoy is expecting the pitch to play slow in the T20 series opener against India as both teams enter unknown territory with the Shrimant Madhavrao Stadium hosting its first international match on Sunday.
In what was a goose bump-inducing moment, Kohli was seen encouraging the crowds to join in, who happily obliged, culminating into a magical collab.
His cinema of compassion inspired me, gave me tools to develop empathy for others. But it also made me understand that serious, socially committed cinema with deeply engaging narratives and great performances is an art form to admire, appreciate and explore. Aseem Chhabra remembers Shyam Benegal, who passed into the ages on Monday evening.
'In 2009, I was trying to discover myself as an actor, and that's when the journey started. I'm 41 years old and have been associated with this film for 16 years.'
'Even my normal balls felt like slower balls compared to his pace'
Despite the mediocrity at large, these films had me in raptures for the emotions they evoked within as a cheering audience, critic and cinephile.
After covering the biggest wedding of the year, Rediff.com's Hitesh Harisinghani was invited to the reception specially held for the media.
Here's what your favourite Bollywood stars are tweeting.
Mujeeb-ur-Rahman and Noor Ahmad will join Rashid and Nabi in Afghanistan's formidable spin attack, which is likely to be key to their performance in the 20-team tournament.
'I have no idea why I was so many film-makers' choice for Jinnah. I assume it is because I was born and bred in Mumbai and speak English.' 'There's also my name, people tend to believe that a Muslim character can best be played by a Muslim actor.'
A murder case has been filed against Bangladesh's ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and six others over the death of a grocery shop owner during last month's violent clashes that led to the fall of her government, media reports said on Tuesday.
Dasun Shanaka produced a solid all-round performance, which included bowling figures of 4 for 23, as former champions Sri Lanka overcame some jittery moments to down Ireland by 41 runs in their T20 World Cup warm-up game in Lauderhill (USA) on Friday.
Futsal Anthem, biopics, and much more in this candid chat with Rahman.
'After Om's untimely demise, he would call us every Sunday for the next two years to ask, "How are you doing my dear? How's the young fella?"'
The top 10 films of the year may not be great by themselves but they stand out amidst the other OTT releases.
CSK bowlers weren't wasn't just about bowling on Sunday night. They also showcased their fielding skills with excellent catches.
Sheikh Hasina, who was elected for a record fourth consecutive term and fifth overall term this year, was always admired by her supporters as "Iron Lady", before the dramatic development that abruptly ended her 15-year-rule in Bangladesh.
The Supreme Court has sought details from the Allahabad High Court regarding controversial statements made by Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav at a VHP function. The development comes amid calls for action against the judge for his remarks, which have been labeled as hate speech by some. The judge's statements were made at a VHP function on December 8, where he spoke about the Uniform Civil Code and the law working according to the majority. Several individuals and organizations, including lawyer Prashant Bhushan and CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat, have called for an inquiry into the judge's conduct and for his removal from judicial duties.
"I'm taking all responsibility (of the country). Please cooperate," he said in a televised address amid reports that Hasina has left the country.
Reader Shyam Shivadas shared his experiences and this photograph of his run-in with the maestro.
The couple tied the knot at a 400-year-old temple in Wanaparthy, Telangana, and announced the news on social media.
Late Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said of Oman was awarded the prestigious prize for the year 2019 in recognition of his vision to strengthen relations with India, and his efforts to promote peace and non-violence in the Gulf region, the ministry said.
When I asked Krishna Gopal Sengupta, who had travelled through Bangladesh from Chittagong to Petrapole if the interim government had made any impact at ground level, he said, "it's been only a couple of days. They will need some time." Shyam G Menon reports from Petrapole, India's entry point with Bangladesh.
With these four, the strength of the members -- all equivalent to ministers -- in the interim government's advisory council rose to 21.
AR Rahman performed at the UN General Assembly hall at a concert to mark India's 70th Independence Day in New York.
Amitabh Bachchan was honoured with the Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Award at a ceremony in Mumbai's Dinanath Mangeshkar Natyagrih.
The Middlesex University, London conferred an honorary doctorate on the Oscar-winning composer on July 8.
Dushan Hemantha's four-wicket haul and Ahan Wickramasinghe's sensational fifty sealed Sri Lanka A spot in the final and brought an end to defending champions Pakistan A campaign to its unforeseen conclusion in the first semi-final match of the ACC Men's T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024.
Some of the star guests at the wedding.
The reactions to the incident were prompt on social media.
