Author: Bhakti Narayanan

Karan Johar has once again expressed his admiration for Mohit Suri’s Saiyaara, a romantic drama that has taken Indian cinema by storm. Speaking in a recent conversation with critic Suchin Mehrotra on The Streaming Show podcast, Johar said the film’s triumph proves that Bollywood can still excel in the kind of storytelling that once defined its identity: timeless love stories. The 2010s marked a clear departure from romance-driven dramas to high-octane action spectacles, many of which were remakes of South Indian blockbusters. Bollywood’s biggest names, including Shah Rukh Khan—long celebrated as the “king of romance”—embraced action-heavy films like Pathaan and…

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is set to begin a two-day official visit to India on Monday, marking an important chapter in ongoing diplomatic efforts between the two Asian giants. During his stay, Wang will engage in bilateral discussions with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and hold boundary talks with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. His visit comes just ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled trip to China later this month, where he will participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. The timing of Wang’s visit holds added weight as it coincides with growing turbulence in India’s trade…

If an action film’s main job is to keep audiences’ pulses racing, War 2, directed by Ayan Mukerji, succeeds — at least in terms of stunt work. The sequel is packed with Mission: Impossible-style set pieces, adrenaline-fueled chases, and combat sequences that raise the stakes from the 2019 hit. Unfortunately, its momentum is often undermined by surprisingly weak computer-generated effects. At times, the CGI feels dated enough to belong in an early-2000s video game, distracting from the otherwise sleek production. Hrithik Roshan returns as Kabir, the enigmatic former RAW agent whose allegiances were in question in War. This time, the…

On India’s 79th Independence Day, the Red Fort celebrations in New Delhi paid a grand tribute to the success of Operation Sindoor, blending tradition with new milestones. For the first time, 11 Agniveer musicians joined the Indian Air Force band to play the national anthem — a powerful symbol of the younger generation’s role in national service. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the national flag from the historic ramparts, two Mi-17 helicopters flew overhead. One carried the Tricolor, while the other bore the Operation Sindoor flag. Both aircraft showered flower petals onto the crowd, sparking emotional waves of pride…

On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid heartfelt homage to those who endured the immense suffering and disruption of India’s 1947 Partition, as the nation observed Partition Horrors Remembrance Day. In a message shared on X, PM Modi described Partition as a “tragic chapter” in India’s history, recalling the pain and upheaval experienced by millions. “India observes #PartitionHorrorsRemembranceDay, remembering the hardships faced by countless individuals during that difficult period. It is also a day to honor their grit… their ability to face unimaginable loss and still find the strength to start anew,” he wrote. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance…

The Indian government has intensified efforts to promote turmeric and other spice exports through the “Sustainability in Spice Sector through Progressive, Innovative and Collaborative Interventions for Export Development” (SPICED) scheme, implemented by the Spices Board. The initiative focuses on raising the quality, value, and global competitiveness of Indian spices by providing support for food safety compliance, post-harvest handling, processing, and value addition. It also conducts training programs to empower stakeholders, improve product quality, and foster entrepreneurial growth in the spice sector. To ensure turmeric shipments meet the standards of importing countries, the government evaluates consignments through accredited quality evaluation laboratories.…

Padma Shri awardee Sonu Nigam has shared one of his fondest memories involving his son Nevaan Nigam. The senior playback singer, who will perform live for a Janmashtami special, recalled how his son used to dress up as Lord Krishna during his toddler years. Sonu Nigam will be performing alongside playback singer Shaan for Janmashtami LIVE: The World Celebrates Krishna. Reflecting on the occasion, he said that Janmashtami has always been a deeply spiritual celebration in his family, with cherished childhood memories from both Mumbai and Delhi. He revealed that his family fondly calls him the “Krishna of the house,”…

American corporate giants, from McDonald’s and Coca-Cola to Amazon and Apple, are facing growing calls for a boycott in India as trade tensions with Washington deepen. The push, backed by business leaders and supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, comes in response to President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 50% tariff on Indian goods — a move that has rattled exporters and strained bilateral relations. India, now the world’s most populous country, is a major market for American brands that have embedded themselves into the nation’s consumer culture. Meta’s WhatsApp counts India as its largest user base, Domino’s operates…

New Delhi will host the third edition of the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR) on Wednesday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Tuesday. The high-level gathering seeks to broaden and strengthen the strategic partnership between the two nations, paving the way for new areas of collaboration. The meeting comes amid speculation that Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong may visit India next month, according to media sources. India will be represented by key ministers, including External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, and Minister for Railways, Information and Broadcasting,…

India’s ambassador to the United States, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, recently held talks with influential Republican Senator Lindsey Graham as trade negotiations between New Delhi and Washington remain stalled. The meeting came in the wake of President Donald Trump’s decision to impose punitive tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil. Kwatra, in a statement on X, noted that he discussed India’s approach to energy security and highlighted the growing energy trade between the two nations. His outreach followed Graham’s remarks urging India to help end the Ukraine war. The senator posted that one of the most meaningful contributions India could make to…