Maharashtra Cyber has arrested Phannendra Balkrishna Pamarti, a 34-year-old Bengaluru resident, for allegedly stalking and harassing a female stand-up comedian through multiple Instagram accounts. The comedian had lodged a complaint about persistent online harassment, leading to an FIR under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and IT Act sections. Investigators used cyber-forensic tools to trace and arrest the accused.
A professor at Nirma University in Ahmedabad allegedly grabbed a student's collar during a stand-up comedy show, sparking a controversy. The incident, captured in a viral video, occurred during the 'Technofora 2026' event after the student reportedly interrupted the professor. The NSUI has demanded an apology and an inquiry, threatening protests.
Nirma University has formed a three-member committee to investigate an incident where a professor allegedly grabbed a student's collar during a stand-up comedy show. The incident, captured in a viral video, led to apologies from both parties and protests from student organisations, prompting the university to launch a formal inquiry.
Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra has moved the Supreme Court to intervene in a significant case concerning the interpretation of legislative privileges of MLAs and their impact on freedom of speech. A seven-judge Constitution bench will hear the matter from October 6. Kamra's involvement stems from privilege proceedings against him in the Maharashtra Assembly over his comedy special. The case also revisits a 2003 matter involving journalist N Ravi, highlighting conflicting views on whether fundamental rights override legislative privileges.
Recent stand-up comedy clips from Pranit More and Madhur Virli, featuring jokes about sexual coercion, rape, and necrophilia, have ignited a fierce debate in India over consent, normalising rape culture, and trivialising sexual assault, leading to FIRs and public apologies.
Mumbai's civic-run KEM Hospital has initiated a two-member committee probe into controversial remarks made by MBBS student Sejal Pawar regarding male cadavers during a stand-up comedy show, which the hospital dean deemed 'unacceptable'.
Tewari said BJP's Hindu-Muslim and India-Pakistan rhetoric is the only way for the ruling party to cover up for its failure in improving the economy of the country which is in a shambles right now due to its policies.
Vir Das has achieved his third International Emmy nomination for his Netflix special Vir Das: Fool Volume, making him the first Indian performer to receive three such nominations.
'We should want Saiyaara, Pati Patni Aur Woh Do, Animal and Dhurandhar to coexist. Let the audience decide what they connect with.'
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has summoned comedian Pranit More and web developer Himanshu Jangra following remarks made during a Gurugram stand-up show, which the commission alleges glorified sexual coercion and non-consensual conduct towards a woman.
'I like to make films where I am also conflicted. I don't want to make films with themes that I am sure about because then it easily becomes agenda-driven.'
Actor Imran Khan, an American citizen, has been served a notice by Mumbai Police directing him to leave India by October 28 for allegedly violating immigration laws. This comes after his participation in recent political protests. His lawyer plans to challenge the decision in the Bombay High Court.
No shade or genre was a roadblock for Nana Patekar. In fact, some of his movies only age well because we associate them with his terrific presence.
Never a crowd pleaser in the conventional sense, Nana Patekar's knack for not mincing words, if anything his brusque, take it-or-leave it persona -- which made his eccentricity a guilty pleasure of sorts -- contributed to his eminence, observes Sukanya Verma.
Familiar ideas, frustrating characters and stretched-out storytelling make #Love far less romantic than intended.
Mumbai's KEM Hospital has placed MBBS student Sejal Pawar on compulsory leave for 15 days following her controversial remarks about male cadavers during a stand-up comedy show. The hospital has initiated a detailed inquiry, forming a five-member committee to investigate the matter, which sparked widespread social media outrage.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) rejected apologies from stand-up comedians Pranit More, Madhur Virli, and audience member Himanshu Jangra regarding alleged objectionable and misogynistic content against women. The commission emphasised that freedom of speech does not justify normalising the violation of women's bodily autonomy or trivialising heinous crimes. The controversy stemmed from a viral video where Jangra's 'Rs 370 biryani' remark, implying expected intimacy for a date, drew widespread backlash.
Thudakkam gives Vismaya Mohanlal a physically demanding debut where her fighting skills land the punches, even if her acting doesn't.
Maharashtra Cyber police have registered a case against stand-up comedian Pranit More, web developer Himanshu Jangra, and Dr Sejal Pawar for allegedly disseminating 'obscene and objectionable' content on social media, stemming from remarks made during a comedy show that trivialised consent and disrespected deceased persons.
Stand-up comedian Pranit More has issued a second apology for his "lapse in judgment" regarding a controversial "Rs 370 biryani" remark made by a participant during his show, which allegedly glorified non-consensual conduct. More is facing a police case and expressed regret for giving a platform to the derogatory comments. The controversy also involves another participant, Sejal Pawar, for separate objectionable remarks.
'This is unfair slander to Kangana.'
SKY didn't realise that a non-performing captain starts losing respect of the dressing room. If someone fails to score consistently for more than a year, he would find it extremely difficult to actually instruct his teammates to execute his plans.
Missed any of the 2026 Golden Globe-winning movies or series? Namrata Thakker has you covered, as she lists where you can watch the winners.
Aamir Khan Productions has announced its next film, Happy Patel, a spy comedy that will mark actor-comedian Vir Das' directorial debut.
As Aamir Khan Productions celebrates 25 years, we rank the 10 best films produced by its star, from the iconic Lagaan to the recent critically-acclaimed Laapataa Ladies.
Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos is not supposed to make sense, and doesn't even pretend to, observes Deepa Gahlot.
Sahil Shah and Rohan Joshi get candid about comedy.
I have spent the last couple of days trying to understand what exactly is making me so angry about the viral controversy surrounding comedian Pranit More's crowd-work show. At first, I thought it was because of the audience member whose story has now sparked outrage across social media. Then I thought it was because of the comedian's response.
If he doesn't apologise, we will speak to him in our own style. Shiv Sena won't leave him. We won't tolerate this insult
The Supreme Court of India has strongly criticized the police for suppressing freedom of speech by filing FIRs against artists for their performances, stating that mere recitation of a poem, stand-up comedy, or any form of art cannot be alleged to incite hatred or animosity between communities. The court quashed an FIR against Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi, who was booked for a song performed at a mass marriage function, emphasizing that such actions stifle legitimate expressions of view in a free society.
This week's OTT releases feature a diverse range of genres, from the adult entertainment platform-focused Margo's Got Money Troubles starring Elle Fanning, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Nicole Kidman, to the Hindi crime drama Matka King with Vijay Varma, exploring Bombay's gambling culture.
Comedian Samay Raina discusses the controversy surrounding his show 'India's Got Latent' and hints at a second season in a new stand-up special.
Four More Shots Please 4 seems to have been made to show off trendy outfits because more than the script, attention was paid to the costumes, observes Deepa Gahlot.
January releases also feature Pawan Kalyan, the Fukrey folks, Vir Das, and the Border stars...
Here's a quick look at the Bollywood movies list of 2026. Lots of interesting titles and genres coming right up!
The 98th Academy Awards was a mix of high fashion, subdued politics, flashes of humour and emotions running high.
'When you miss India, you'll hear it before you see it. That's really where the idea started.' 'If you ever go to your terrace at night in India, you'll hear sounds from everywhere.' 'That feeling of hearing home in your head when you're far away... that's the soul of the show.'
BJP legislator Pravin Darekar filed a breach of privilege notice against stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra and Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sushma Andhare in the Maharashtra Legislative Council. Darekar accused Kamra of performing a song with insulting references to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Andhare of supporting the performance with objectionable language. He claimed their actions constituted contempt of the House. Shiv Sena MLA Ramesh Bornare also submitted a breach of privilege notice against Andhare for allegedly mocking Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The Speaker will decide on the notices.
Watch Comedy Couple for Shweta and Saqib, says Moumita Bhattacharjee.
'Unless a comedian is involved in something society deems unforgivable...'
