They try to hide behind the smokescreen that these are works of fiction inspired by real events. So, you can pick and choose from facts and fictionalise to push the right triggers with your audience or appease the powers that be, observes Shekhar Gupta.
As the Queen star found herself in the middle of a row, with the BJP distancing itself and the Congress attacking it, here's a look at some of the controversies, political and otherwise.
'It is an absolute privilege to bring you the story of Major Shaitan Singh Bhati PVC and the soldiers of Charlie Company, 13 Kumaon regiment.'
Akhtar reminded Amir that he should be grateful to the former PCB chairman Najam Sethi, who had a massive role in bringing him back into international cricket post his ban.
Akhtar Ali played eight Davis Cup ties between 1958 and 1964 and also captained and coached the Indian team.
Former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar quit his TV punditry job on-air on Tuesday following a heated exchange with the host of the show while analysing Pakistan's victory over New Zealand at the Twenty20 World Cup.
The Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association has lodged a formal complaint with the sport's world governing body and the organisers after their squad was denied visas by the Indian High Commission for the IBSF U-18 and U-21 World Championships
Maharashtra recorded a voter turnout of 58.22 per cent till 5 pm on Wednesday in the elections to the 288-member state legislative assembly, with Gadchiroli district logging more than 69 per cent voting, poll officials said.
Two important Corps Commands at Multan and Bahawalpur, as also the posts of Adjutant General and Quartermaster General at General Headquarters now stand vacant, reveals Rana Banerji, who headed the Pakistan desk at RA&W.
In a breakthrough, Mumbai Police and Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) on Sunday arrested wanted shooter Shivkumar in Nationalist Congress Party politician Baba Siddique murder case from the northern state along with four others, an official said.
Baba Siddique murder: Pune scrap shop owner held
"The Taliban want an Islamic country. These people want to make a Hindu Rashtra," the lyricist said without naming the RSS.
ICC's official Twitter handle, decided to take a jibe at Akhtar for suggesting that he could dismiss Australia's Steve Smith inside four balls. He hit back at the trolls.
'Just this year alone, close to 40 major transactions involving Bollywood stars have been recorded.'
'Shaun Tait, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee and Jason Gillespie were fast. But Shoaib Akhtar was the fastest.'
Like every year, Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar hosted a Holi party at their Mumbai home, Janki Kutir, and invited family and friends over.
Enforcement Directorate (ED) officers on Friday conducted simultaneous search operations at the residences of Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, and three of his associates in connection with alleged financial irregularities at the institute, an officer said.
Sonu Nigam chose a unique way to celebrate his 51st birthday on July 30.
'Salman wanted to do the interview properly. That's why he was nervous, you know, that dad should be happy.'
A non-strategic investor like Poonawalla brings in not only capital but also creative freedom. Indian cinema needs more investors like him, reports Vanita Kohli Khandekar.
Akhtar saw it coming having seen the division in the Indian dressing room during the T20 World Cup.
The Pakistan government has issued an order barring all government employees from using social media without permission to stop disclosure of official information and documents, The News International reported.
A Maharashtra Bharatiya Janata Party MLA over the weekend hit out at Akhtar and said no film involving him will be allowed to be screened till he apologises for his remarks.
Sukanya Verma curates a Navratri special playlist just for you to give those festivities a touch of Bollywood style dazzle.
The Bombay high court on Thursday dismissed the plea filed by actor Kangana Ranaut seeking quashing of the criminal defamation proceedings initiated against her by a court in Mumbai based on lyricist Javed Akhtar's complaint.
His 454 run-partnership with Harry Brook is the fourth-highest in Tests and Root said his fellow Yorkshireman was 'outstanding' with his triple-ton.
A special screening of Satish Kaushik's Kaagaz, starring Pankaj Tripathi, was held in Mumbai.
What Sobhita is reading... Hansika cleans her home... Pooja is in awe...
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.
Sinha, who pioneered and popularised the rich folk traditions of Bihar beyond its borders, was undergoing treatment at All India Institute of Medical Sciences-Delhi for multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer.
'We felt like we had a lot of different wicket-taking opportunities. The odd ball was staying low, we got the ball reversing a little bit, and got the odd ball to spin as well. It's never an easy position.'
Karisma-Kareena meet up with cousins... Akshay meets a 'mastermind'... Saiyami shoots for a new show...
Bumrah has mastered the art we Pakistanis used to have once: Akhtar
The police on Monday submitted their report to the court, stating that offences alleged by the complainant (Akhtar) against Ranaut are made out for further investigation.
Akhtar filed a criminal complaint against Kangana in November last year before the Andheri metropolitan magistrate for allegedly making defamatory and baseless comments against him in television interviews.
Farah's fangirl moment with... Sonam celebrates Vayu's 2nd birthday... Sidharth turns chef...
Veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar submitted in a court here on Friday that actor Kangana Ranaut's petition seeking transfer of the criminal defamation case filed by him against her was "devoid of any merits" and aimed at delaying the proceedings.
As Mumbai went to the polls, Bollywood stars did their primary duty for the country and cast their votes.
The conspiracy to kill Nationalist Congress Party leader and former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique was hatched in Pune and shooters were provided with a photo and a flex banner for the target identification, police said on Monday.
Sukanya Verma on The Zoya Factor in Indian cinema.
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