It has been a week since Hindi cinema lost one of its most iconic and beloved superstars, Dharmendra, who passed away on November 24 at his Mumbai residence, just days before his 90th birthday.While the nation continues to mourn the unforgettable legend, Hema Malini has now opened up about his final days, and her words are heartbreaking.Filmmaker Hamad Al Reyami, who met the actress three days after Dharmendra’s death, has shared the deeply emotional conversation on Instagram.

Hamad recalled meeting Hema Malini during the third day of condolences and described how painful the atmosphere was. “I sat with her, and in her features I could see a broken inside that she’s trying so hard to hide,” he wrote. The actress fondly remembered a moment from two months earlier, saying to him, “I wish I was at the farm the same day I was with Dharminder two months ago… Hope to have seen him there.” She also shared how she always encouraged her husband to publish his poems and writings, but Dharmendra would lovingly respond, “Not now... let me finish some poems first.”

Hema Malini confessed her regret that Dharmendra’s literary work never came to light while he was alive. “Now the strangers will come… They’ll write about it; they’ll write books… While his words have not seen light,” she said bitterly. She expressed sadness that fans didn’t get one last chance to see him, yet revealed the reason behind that decision: “Dharminder, throughout his life, never wanted to be seen as weak or sick. He was hiding his pain even from the closest people. After the person leaves, the decision remains in the hands of the family.”

According to Hamad, the most piercing moment came when Hema Malini recalled the immense suffering Dharmendra endured in his final days. She told him with overwhelming pain, “But what happened was mercy… Because, Hamad, you couldn’t bear to see him like that. His final days were cruel… hurtful… And even we can barely bear to see it like that,”. She later agreed to a photograph with Hamad, with warmth and kindness that instantly reminded him of Dharmendra himself.The memory of “My forever hero… Dharmendra,” as Hamad described him, continues to echo through countless hearts, and his performances will be cherished forever.

In a light-hearted highlight of the Abu Dhabi T10 League 2025 final on November 30, UAE Bulls all-rounder Tim David entertained fans by imitating teammate Sunil Narine‘s iconic bowling action right in front of the West Indies spinner.

Tim David entertains fans by doing a comic imitation of Sunil Narine’s bowling action

This playful gesture came during the final over of Aspinwall Stallions’ chase, after UAE Bulls posted 150/1, powered by David’s explosive batting. Captain Kieron Pollard handed David the ball with 86 runs needed off the last 10 balls against Karim Janat, allowing the Australian to experiment with actions, including Narine’s slingy release on the third delivery. David conceded just 5 runs, securing an 80-run victory and the tournament title for Pollard-led Bulls at Sheikh Zayed Stadium.​

David’s all-round display defined the fast-paced final, blending power-hitting with comedy in the 10-over format designed for explosive cricket. Social media clips of the mimicry quickly went viral, capturing Narine’s amused reaction and amplifying the fun amid high stakes. The moment underscored team camaraderie in UAE Bulls, who overcame a mid-table league position (4th with 3 wins from 7) to dominate playoffs.​

Here’s the video:

Tim David mimicking Sunil’s bowling action right in front of him 😭pic.twitter.com/Cs9ETxCJBQ

— Kanishk (@jeene2yarr) December 1, 2025

Also READ: KKR owner Shah Rukh Khan pens a touching tribute to Andre Russell post his IPL retirement

Explosive batting powers UAE Bulls to Abu Dhabi T10 glory

David starred with the bat first, smashing an unbeaten 98 off 30 balls—3 fours and 12 sixes at a strike rate of 326.66—falling just short of a T10 century. Batting at No. 4 after openers Phil Salt and James Vince (retired hurt) set the platform, David unleashed carnage, including four consecutive sixes in one over and five in the last against Ashmead Nedd. His knock, earning Player of the Match honours, propelled UAE Bulls to 150/1, the second-highest total of the season after their 162/3 in the Eliminator.​​

Aspinwall Stallions crumbled to 70/4, unable to match the firepower despite reaching the final as Qualifier 1 winners (2nd in league with 4 wins from 7). Pollard, the T20 veteran coaching in IPL while thriving in franchises, added another trophy, highlighting his leadership in steering Bulls through Qualifier 2 and the decider. David’s dual impact signals strong form ahead of IPL 2026 with RCB, where his Abu Dhabi exploits preview potential destruction.​The victory capped a thrilling Abu Dhabi T10, with Bulls rising from league struggles to champions against a strong Stallions side.

Also READ: Breakdown of Andre Russell’s IPL salary since his debut – From 2012 to 2025

(AI-generated image used for representation purposes)

NEW DELHI: Supreme Court order for pan-India CBI probe into ‘digital arrest’ cases, while signifying the threat from digital scamsters, is important also because the opposition-governed states had withdrawn “general consent” to CBI to probe crimes in their territories.Keeping two other forms of cyber-crime – investment scams and part-time job scams – on the back burner, the bench said CBI shall investigate digital arrest scam cases, and the court will consider whether the other two forms of cyber-crime require court supervision/monitoring. Suspecting assistance to scamsters by banking system insiders, the bench said, “CBI shall have a free hand to investigate bankers under Prevention of Corruption Act when they are suspected to be involved in the opening of ‘mule accounts’ where the fraudsters park their extorted monies.“

CJI Kant and Justice Bagchi said that given the magnitude of the crimes and the fact that many of them were being committed from ‘scam hubs’ located in foreign countries, “we direct the CBI to coordinate with Interpol to lay their hands on the cyber-crime havens operating from abroad”.The bench also issued notice to RBI and asked it to explain to the court why artificial intelligence tools or machine-learning technologies should not be employed to identify mule accounts in banks and freeze the deposits suspected to be proceeds of crime.The court also directed the IT intermediaries to preserve data relating to phones and equipment used by fraudsters, provide it to CBI and render full assistance to the central agency as and when sought in a particular case or in general.The bench further said that there is widespread breach of norms in issuance of SIM cards. “Facts brought on record so far reveal an alarming negligent and irresponsible approach of telecom service providers while issuing multiple SIM cards in one name. We direct the DoT to submit a proposal for the consideration of SC, which may eventually be required to be implemented to prevent misuse of SIM cards,” it said.SC directed all states and UTs to ensure establishment of regional/state Cyber-Crime Coordination Centres and operationalise them for better coordination with Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) of MHA so that effective steps could be taken against cyber-crimes, especially digital arrest scam cases.It asked MHA, ministry of finance, DoT, MeitY to submit a detailed plan of action for coordinated steps against digital arrest scam cases. The court adjourned hearing on the case by two weeks to enable CBI to choose experienced hands from state police forces as well as experts in information technology who can assist it in investigating digital arrest cases across India.

Usman Khawaja plays a shot during an Australia nets session at The Gabba on December 01, 2025 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo/Getty Images)

Usman Khawaja made progress towards being available for the day-night Ashes Test at the Gabba, but Australia are still assessing whether his back can handle a full five-day match. The 38-year-old, who missed batting in the fourth innings of the Perth Test because of back spasms, returned to the nets in Brisbane for a careful training session.Khawaja had suffered back spasms during the first Ashes Test in Perth. Monday’s training was his first hit since the Pirth Test. He remains short of full fitness with three days left before the second Test at the Gabba, cricket.com.au reported.

After light running drills on the Gabba outfield, Khawaja showed some discomfort during a net session of around 30 minutes with the pink ball. He only faced throw-downs from assistant coach Michael Di Venuto and played several pull shots on practice strips with uneven bounce.At one stage, Khawaja gave thumbs-up to physio Nick Jones, according to Brisbane Times. He batted for roughly half an hour, showing occasional discomfort but appearing more at ease than he did in Perth.He also kept batting for around ten minutes longer than what team doctor Leigh Golding had first signalled.Meanwhile, Travis Head said he is open to batting in any position as discussions continue over his role for the Brisbane Test. Head scored a century while opening in the Perth Test’s fourth innings after replacing Khawaja at short notice.“We’ve obviously talked about the replacement for David Warner, and I always threw my name up and always threw the option there. Obviously I do it in international white ball cricket. So, I threw myself as an option if that’s what was necessary for the team and best suited for the team. We’ve been in and out of that conversation a fair bit over the last two years. We’re back at it again. So, for me, it’s just about working out where Pat (Cummins), Steve (Smith), Ron (Andrew McDonald), Bails (George Bailey) and those guys see me best in the team and where I can best contribute and how we win games of cricket,” Head said as quoted by SEN.Marnus Labuschagne supported Khawaja ahead of the second Test. “Usman’s a high-quality player. You look at his record … what he’s done for Australian cricket, especially since he’s come back, he’s been super consistent, he’s been really the rock of at the top there,” Labuschagne told reporters, as quoted by cricket.com.au.The second Ashes Test starts on December 4 at the Gabba in Brisbane.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis (File photo)

CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday sharply criticised the State Election Commission’s decision to postpone the upcoming municipal council elections in multiple civic bodies across Maharashtra as “arbitrary, legally indefensible and deeply unfair to hundreds of candidates who had completed their campaigning and preparations”. He said govt would submit a detailed representation to the commission, asking it to reconsider the decision.Speaking to reporters in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Fadnavis said the State Election Commission (SEC) “misinterpreted the law” when deciding to postpone the polls. He cautioned that allowing such decisions to stand could establish a dangerous precedent in which elections might be repeatedly stalled through litigation.“Cancelling these elections is extremely wrong. If this approach is taken, everyone will go to court every time, and then the election will be postponed. This has never happened before,” he said.Fadnavis said the SEC had not clarified which law or legal interpretation it relied upon while suspending the election process. “I have no idea which law the Election Commission is citing or whose advice the Election Commission is taking. But based on the law I have seen, the extent of my legal study, and having spoken to many lawyers… the consensus is that elections cannot be postponed in this manner just because one person went to court,” he said.He cited the example of the Nilanga Municipal Council, where “the entire process was complete” before a rejected candidate challenged his exclusion. “If we take the example of Nilanga, Sambhaji Patil Nilangekar spoke to me yesterday (Sunday). In Nilanga, the entire process was complete. Someone whose form was rejected went to court. The court rejected his form. Why was it accepted?” he asked. “Postponing the election here just because someone filed a petition is extremely wrong,” he added.Fadnavis described the decision as an “injustice” to candidates and local voters, arguing that last-minute postponement inflicted significant losses on those who had invested time, resources and effort. “My opinion is that legally, the Election Commission postponing the elections is completely wrong. What an injustice this is to those candidates who honestly completed all the formalities. You postponed the elections today, which were supposed to take place tomorrow. Their (candidates’) efforts and hard work are all wasted,” he said.He also criticised the extension of the campaign period, calling it an unnecessary burden. “Now, having to campaign again for 15-20 days, I feel this is extremely wrong,” he said, stressing that state govt would raise the issue formally. “Certainly, the election will take place, but we will definitely give a representation to the Election Commission regarding this, stating that postponing elections in this manner would be wrong.“Denying allegations of govt interference, Fadnavis clarified that the urban development department had no role in the SEC decision. “The urban development department has no connection to this. The connection here is solely with the Election Commission. The Election Commission is fully autonomous,” he said, adding that several collectors had also expressed concerns during a video conference held before the postponement order was issued.Though he acknowledged the SEC’s constitutional autonomy, Fadnavis maintained strong disagreement with its outcome. “They have the right to make decisions. But my opinion is that this decision is wrong,” he said.

For several months now, whispers and sightings had fuelled speculation that Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Raj Nidimoru were more than just close collaborators. The two first made waves when they began working together on multiple projects and over time, their public appearances, warm photos, and subtle social-media hints kept fans guessing. But on 1 December 2025, it all came together: sources across major media have now confirmed that Samantha and Raj have officially tied the knot. The ceremony reportedly took place at dawn, at the Linga Bhairavi Temple, inside the grounds of Isha Yoga Centre, Coimbatore.

Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s first wedding pictures

What makes their wedding especially notable is how quietly and intimately it was held. According to reports, there were just about 30 guests, close friends and famil, present. No grand Bollywood-style event, no flashes of paparazzi chaos, just a serene, private ceremony.

For those who had watched their journey unfold, from on-set collaborations to shared events, mutual social-media support to whispered gossip, this wedding feels like the deeply personal next step.

As per reports, Samantha walked down to the temple in a classic red saree, a traditional yet striking choice, perfect for the sacred space and the serene vibe of the yoga centre. Raj Nidimoru matched her understated elegance (reports mention a subtle, neutral-toned sherwani).

Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s first wedding pictures

The timing, early morning and the location, a temple devoted to the feminine divine, hint at something deeply spiritual and meaningful for the couple. The decision to keep the guest list small, and the ceremony private, suggests they wanted this to be more about soul than spectacle. Interestingly, this isn’t just a union of hearts but also a coming together of two creative minds. Raj, known for directing hit series like The Family Man and the recent Citadel: Honey Bunny, has worked with Samantha on multiple projects. Their professional relationship blossomed into companionship over time, and now culminated in marital commitment.

Rumours about Sam and Raj began circulating around early 2024. At first, it seemed like simple industry gossip, two colleagues spotted together at events, sharing friendly smiles and photos that fans dissected with hope.Over the months, their appearances together multiplied: from film launches to public events, to social media collaborations. On one occasion, a warm photo of the two from a perfume-launch event went viral, Samantha in a stylish outfit, Raj by her side, the embrace natural, relaxed. That photo triggered another wave of speculation. Around the same time, some external drama added fuel to the rumours. Raj’s former wife (the director reportedly separated in 2022) shared a cryptic social-media post reading “Desperate people do desperate things,” just hours after one of Samantha’s cosy photos with Raj surfaced. That cryptic message sent fans spiraling with questions.Still, despite the mounting theories, neither Samantha nor Raj ever publicly confirmed anything. Until today, when their private morning vows broke the internet.

For Samantha Ruth Prabhu, this marks a new chapter in personal life. Her previous marriage to actor Naga Chaitanya ended a few years ago, and since then, she has focused on her career and personal growth. Now, this union with Raj, a filmmaker whose work she respects – seems like a thoughtful, mature step forward.For Raj Nidimoru, too, it’s a new beginning. Known in the industry for his directing and production skills, he now enters another creative dimension – shared life, partnership beyond work. Their wedding underscores a desire for privacy, simplicity, and real connection over public spectacle.Their choice of venue, the minimal guest list, and traditional attire suggest this was never about media hype or glam; it was about two people wanting to commit with dignity, peace, and respect for their roots.

As news of the wedding spread, social media lit up. Fans flooded timelines with congratulations, emojis, and best wishes. Many praised the couple for opting for an intimate ceremony rather than a grand affair, calling it “modern love meeting old-school grace.” Others lauded the choice of the temple setting, saying it felt spiritual and grounded.

But where there’s love, there’s inevitably scrutiny too. A few asked questions: What about their past relationships? What does the cryptic post from Raj’s ex mean? Some wondered whether they will now step into the spotlight as a power couple, balancing work and a private home.Yet most seem hopeful, expressing support: “May you find joy and peace,” “Blessings to the newlyweds,” and “Finally, love that feels real.”

In an era when celebrity weddings often double as brand launches, social-media spectacles, and PR events, Samantha and Raj’s decision to exchange vows in a hush-hush temple ceremony feels refreshingly real. Their union isn’t screaming for attention, it quietly radiates commitment.

What is the net worth of Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s rumoured boyfriend, Raj Nidimoru? (Pic credit- @samantharuthprabhuoffl)

Whether you saw their chemistry, followed their rumours, or just rooted for their happiness, this wedding marks the moment when speculation turned into a new beginning.As they walk forward together, we can only hope they continue to lead with honesty, respect, and love and maybe give us glimpses into their journey (on screen or off) with the grace that has defined them so far.

Abhimanyu Easwaran, the Bengal captain, is one of the most consistent and prolific run-scorers in Indian domestic cricket. While primarily known for his red-ball excellence (averaging nearly 49 in First-Class cricket with 27 centuries), his recent T20 form has been explosive, highlighted by a blistering unbeaten 130 off just 66 balls in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025 (SMAT), a knock which included 8 sixes.

With an overall domestic T20 average of over 37 and a strike rate of nearly 129 in 34 matches, Easwaran offers franchises a rare combination: a technically sound top-order Indian batter who can anchor the innings, convert starts into big scores, and accelerate aggressively when required, making him a prime target for teams needing stability and quality in their top three.

5 franchises that can target Abhimanyu Easwaran in the IPL 2026 mini-auction

1. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)

KKR will enter the auction with a massive purse of ₹64.30 crore and a significant need to reconstruct their entire Indian batting core, particularly after releasing Venkatesh Iyer. KKR requires a dependable Indian batter for the critical number 3 slot to follow their retained openers (likely Rahmanullah Gurbaz/Jason Roy and Rinku Singh). Easwaran, hailing from Bengal and captaining the Ranji team, brings a strong local connection and the required temperament. KKR can invest a substantial amount in Easwaran to provide the stability and consistency needed to build a long-term, high-quality Indian top order, mitigating the risk of early collapses.

2. Delhi Capitals (DC)

Delhi Capitals hold a solid purse of ₹21.80 crore and are desperately searching for a consistent, high-quality Indian batter for their top order, having released Faf du Plessis and Jake Fraser-McGurk. DC’s top-order has often relied too heavily on their star foreign batters, making an Indian anchor a priority. Easwaran’s recent explosive form in the SMAT proves he is not just a red-ball specialist, and he could be seamlessly slotted in at number 3 or as an opener. Acquiring Easwaran would provide the technical assurance and big-score ability to stabilize DC’s innings and ensure the presence of a reliable domestic run-scorer.

3. Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) possess the second-largest purse of ₹43.40 crore and are undergoing a strategic rebuild. While they retained Ruturaj Gaikwad and acquired Sanju Samson, they lack depth in experienced, top-quality Indian batters for the number 3/4 position. Easwaran’s ability to play the long inning and adapt his strike rate makes him an attractive option for the traditionally slow Chepauk surface, where an anchor is paramount. CSK values players with a solid domestic track record, and Easwaran fits the bill perfectly, offering a stable and reliable Indian batting option whom they can groom for a key middle-order role.

Also READ: IPL 2026: 5 teams that can target Andre Russell in the mini-auction

4. Gujarat Titans (GT)

Gujarat Titans have a moderate purse of ₹12.90 crore and a high reliance on their retained Indian top-order duo, Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan. However, they need a strong Indian backup opener and a reliable third Indian batter in case of injury or poor form for either Gill or Sudharsan. Easwaran’s high T20 average and big-match temperament make him an ideal signing for this role. GT’s strategy often involves picking undervalued domestic performers with huge upside, and Easwaran’s recent display of aggressive T20 batting will make him a prime candidate to provide a quality domestic reserve.

5. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)

RCB, with a purse of ₹16.40 crore, retained a strong top order but released several Indian batters, including Mayank Agarwal. They need a proven, high-class Indian batter who can serve as an opener or a dependable number 3/4 batter to ensure stability when their explosive players fail. Easwaran’s recent SMAT century demonstrates the high-impact T20 performance that RCB needs to see from its domestic talent. Given the shorter boundaries at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, a technically gifted batter like Easwaran who can capitalize on the surface and convert starts would be an excellent investment to round out their Indian batting line-up.

Also READ: IPL 2026: 5 franchises that can target Anrich Nortje in the mini-auction

Cardinals monitor Trey Benson’s comeback ahead of Week 14 (Image via: Getty images)

The Arizona Cardinals will continue to navigate their backfield without Trey Benson, as the promising young running back remains on injured reserve with no firm return date in sight. Benson has been working his way back from arthroscopic knee surgery, but the recovery has taken longer than initially hoped. With Week 14 approaching, the uncertainty surrounding his availability has become one of the team’s most closely watched storylines.Benson hasn’t appeared in a game since Week 4, and while he was designated to return from injured reserve on November 19, the Cardinals have yet to activate him. He logged a limited practice earlier in the week, but his subsequent absence raised questions about whether he experienced a setback. Although speculation continues, head coach Jonathan Gannon has kept details guarded, reiterating that Benson’s status is being evaluated on a day-to-day basis as the deadline to activate him draws near.

Trey Benson activation deadline approaches with Week 15 emerging as most likely return target

The Cardinals have until December 10 to decide whether to bring Benson back to the active roster, giving them a shrinking window to make a call. Reports from team insider Darren Urban suggest that the next week will be a crucial checkpoint, especially with the 21-day activation period nearing its conclusion. Despite early signs of progress, Benson finishing the week as a non-participant in practice has tempered expectations for a Week 14 return.

This makes Week 15 the more realistic target, barring a significant improvement in his condition. The Cardinals continue to approach Benson’s recovery with caution, mindful of both his long-term health and the importance of having him fully ready when he returns. In the meantime, Arizona’s depth at running back remains under pressure, and the team must keep adjusting its offensive approach while awaiting clarity on Benson’s comeback.As the Cardinals push deeper into the season, Benson’s recovery timeline remains a key storyline for fans tracking roster decisions and the team’s offensive rhythm. His return could provide a valuable boost, but for now, all signs point to continued patience as Week 14 approaches, making his comeback even more critical.Also Read: Travis Kelce’s three-word comment on Pat McAfee’s baby on board sparks fatherhood rumors: Is a mini Kelce-Swift on the way?