The cost of entourages of the actors in Bollywood has become a subject of debate recently, with several directors expressing their opinions on it. Amidst the ongoing topic, Vicky Kaushal and Kriti Sanon have shared their thoughts on it. They clarified that their entourages are quite small. Let’s learn more about it.

Vicky Kaushal and Kriti Sanon talk about the rising entourage cost of actors

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Vicky Kaushal expressed, “I think what we’re saying is that we haven’t seen it ourselves. We’re not denying that it isn’t true; I just haven’t seen it. I’ve only heard about it.” Kriti Sanon added to Vicky’s words, saying, “Yeah, we’ve heard about it.”During the conversation, the actors were asked what could be the possible solution for this problem. Kriti replied, “Maybe you are talking to the wrong actors.”

Vicky elaborated on what Kriti stated, adding, “Anything that burdens the film financially should be course-corrected.”He added that there are certain incidents that take place for the character and for the film. He said, “For example, if it’s a 7-to-7 schedule, it’s an action film, and my only time to train is at 5 in the morning, and the gym is in the opposite direction from the location, then having a gym on set probably helps.”The actor further shared that sometimes that kind of setup on set helps the movie. He also acknowledged the fact that every producer understands such needs. He said, “At least that’s what I believe.”

More about Vicky Kaushal and Kriti Sanon’s projects

Vicky Kaushal will next feature in Sanjay Leela Bhansali‘s project ‘Love and War’, co-starring Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt. The film has been reportedly scheduled to release between June and August 2026.Kriti Sanon, on the other hand, will next star in ‘Cocktail 2’, alongside Shahid Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna. Directed by Homi Adajania, the film has been slated to release in the second half of the year.

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders crushed Dubai Capitals by 50 runs in the ILT20 2025-26 Eliminator on January 1, 2026, at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Michael Pepper‘s explosive 72 guided ADKR to 158/7, while Sunil Narine‘s masterful 3/12 dismantled DC for just 108. Jason Holder‘s comical skyer no-ball became the viral moment amid the Knight Riders’ dominant win.​

Jason Holder’s unusual no-ball ball in the Eliminator frustrates batters in ILT20 2025–26

In a bizarre over during DC’s chase, Holder, ADKR’s skipper, unleashed a comical skyer that sailed way too high and wide outside off, landing near the slip cordon for a no-ball. Teammates Andre Russell and Michael Pepper stood with hands on hips, visibly annoyed at the errant delivery to Shayan Jahangir, who watched bemused as umpires signalled the free-hit. The mishap, captured on video, drew laughs online but didn’t dent Holder’s resolve—he bounced back with figures of 3/18, including key strikes to Toby Albert, Mohammad Nabi, and Muhammad Jawadullah.​​

Here’s the video:

“TV Umpire to Director, can we check the height on this one for a No Ball?” 🫣

Keep those towels handy, Knights. 🧻#DCvADKR #DPWorldILT20 #WhereTheWorldPlays #AllInForCricket pic.twitter.com/Mi43Apq7hB

— International League T20 (@ILT20Official) January 1, 2026

Also WATCH: Shimron Hetmyer pulls off a stunning grab to dismiss Nicholas Pooran in ILT20 2025-26

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders’ commanding triumph over Dubai Capitals in ILT20 2026

Asked to bat first, ADKR came out with clear intent and wasted no time putting the opposition under pressure. Phil Salt and Pepper set the tone right from the start, combining aggression with smart shot selection. The pair raced to 55 inside the powerplay and brought up a century partnership in just 10.4 overs, leaving the fielding side scrambling for answers.

While Salt chipped in with a brisk 43, it was Pepper who held the innings together, playing a commanding knock of 72 laced with seven boundaries and three towering sixes. Just when a massive total looked on the cards, the momentum dipped as wickets fell in quick succession. Nabi triggered the slowdown with a sharp spell, picking up three wickets and conceding very little. Amid the late wobble, Holder’s unbeaten 22 off 11 balls ensured ADKR crossed to a competitive 158/7.

The chase never really found its feet. DC were rocked early as Narine weaved his magic in the powerplay, reducing them to 43 for 4 and completely shifting the balance of the match. Narine’s tight lines accounted for Shayan, who was trapped in front, before Gulbadin Naib and Navin Bidaisee followed soon after.

The pressure only intensified as Liam Livingstone and Holder joined the act, picking up regular wickets and closing every escape route. Nabi showed some resistance with a fighting 27, but once he was caught off Holder, the end came quickly. DC were bundled out for 108 in just over 16 overs. Narine’s match-winning spell earned him the Player of the Match award, as ADKR marched confidently into Qualifier 2, where MI Emirates now await.

Also WATCH: Sam Curran plucks a screamer to remove Gulbadin Naib and mimics Afghan star’s signature celebration in ILT20 2025-26

Mumbai: The state govt will soon kickstart the ‘Green Mumbai’ initiative, which is a comprehensive strategy to transform Mumbai through environmentally-friendly infrastructure and climate-conscious governance. CM Devendra Fadnavis directed officials to make sure this programme focuses on sustainable mobility, air quality improvement, and significant financial commitments to climate action. Officials said the BMC’s focus will also be on air quality and pollution control. Officials said several existing and upcoming infrastructure projects will be part of this green initiative.“Every Mumbaikar deserves clean air. We are enforcing strict accountability by monitoring over 1,000 construction sites in real time and modernising local industries with clean fuel. By tackling pollution at its source, we are ensuring that Mumbai’s rapid growth does not come at the cost of its citizens’ health,” CM Fadnavis told TOI.“We are building a Mumbai that moves faster and breathes easier. The results are already verified: traffic police surveys record a 30% drop in congestion at major hubs since the metro launch. But this is just the beginning. We are aggressively executing a comprehensive 411 km metro network. Anchored by our 33.5 km underground Aqua Line and combined with our fleet of 5,000 electric buses, we are permanently removing 4.5 lakh vehicle trips daily and eliminating 2.6 lakh tonnes of CO₂ annually. Progress and the planet must thrive together,” CM Fadnavis said.“Mumbai is pioneering ‘Climate Budgeting’ in South Asia. By committing over Rs 17,000 crore—nearly 38% of the BMC’s capital expenditure—to green initiatives, we made environmental protection a core financial priority. This is not just expenditure; it is our concrete roadmap to Net Zero 2050, ensuring that our financial planning secures our future,” CM Fadnavis said.The official pointed out that, as part of the climate budgeting and financial allocation initiative, Mumbai is the first South Asian city to institutionalise “Climate Budgeting” as a mandatory annual process, aiming for net zero by 2050.

Wall Street and major global equity markets began 2026 on an upbeat note on Friday, buoyed by optimism around artificial intelligence-led growth and strong gains in technology stocks, AP reported.In early trade, the S&P 500 rose 0.4 per cent, extending gains after closing 2025 with a rise of more than 16 per cent. The Nasdaq composite climbed 1 per cent, driven by advances in big technology names, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 60 points, or 0.1 per cent.Buying interest remained strong in AI-linked stocks, with Nvidia and Google-parent Alphabet rising more than 2 per cent each, amid expectations that expanding use of artificial intelligence will boost demand for chips, data centres and related infrastructure. US Treasury yields were largely steady.Global markets also opened the year on a strong footing. In Europe, London’s FTSE 100 jumped 1 per cent to an intraday record of 10,033.94, crossing the 10,000-mark for the first time. Germany’s DAX rose 0.5 per cent to 24,619.41, while France’s CAC 40 advanced 0.8 per cent to 8,213.59.The rally in London was supported by sharp gains in precious metals miners, including Fresnillo, which surged 5.7 per cent, and Anglo American, up 1.5 per cent, tracking strength in gold, silver and copper prices.“Exports from most countries have surged in recent months, and we think the near-term outlook for Asia’s export-oriented manufacturing sectors remains favorable,” Shivaan Tandon of Capital Economics said in a report, AP quoted. Asian markets were mixed to positive. South Korea’s Kospi surged 2.3 per cent to 4,309.63, led by a 7.2 per cent jump in Samsung Electronics, while SK Hynix gained 4 per cent. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rallied 2.8 per cent to 26,338.47, driven by tech stocks, with Alibaba rising 4.3 per cent and Baidu jumping 9.4 per cent after announcing plans to spin off its AI chip unit.Markets in Tokyo, Shanghai, Thailand and New Zealand were closed, while Australia’s ASX 200 edged up 0.2 per cent. India’s Sensex added 0.6 per cent, and Taiwan’s Taiex gained 1.3 per cent.US stock futures earlier signalled a positive open, with S&P 500 futures up 0.6 per cent and Dow futures higher by 0.2 per cent.Wall Street ended 2025 with strong annual gains despite a weak finish, with the S&P 500 rising 16.4 per cent for the year, the Nasdaq up 20.4 per cent and the Dow gaining 13 per cent, supported by enthusiasm around AI, solid corporate earnings and multiple interest rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve.In commodities, silver rose 4.8 per cent after sharp volatility earlier in the week, while gold gained 1.4 per cent. US benchmark crude slipped 12 cents to $57.30 per barrel, and Brent crude eased 13 cents to $60.72 per barrel.In currency markets, the US dollar strengthened to 156.85 yen, while the euro slipped to $1.1733.

Punjab: Mann government expands pregnancy care at Aam Aadmi Clinics; 10,000 women get free ultrasounds in four months

The Punjab government has expanded pregnancy-related healthcare services at Aam Aadmi Clinics, with official data showing increased use of ante-natal care across the state within four months of the rollout.According to the government, more than 10,000 pregnant women have received free ultrasound scans during this period, while around 20,000 expectant mothers are now visiting Aam Aadmi Clinics every month for pregnancy-related check-ups. The initiative aims to strengthen early detection and monitoring at the primary healthcare level amid concerns over maternal health indicators in the state.Punjab records about 4.3 lakh pregnancies annually. Government data shows that fewer than 70% of pregnant women earlier received a first antenatal check-up and less than 60% completed the recommended four visits. The state’s maternal mortality ratio stands at 90 per one lakh live births, above the national average, highlighting gaps in regular monitoring and timely referrals.Under the expanded model, Aam Aadmi Clinics now provide a range of ante-natal tests, including blood tests, sugar, thyroid, haemoglobin, HIV and syphilis screening, along with foetal heart rate assessments. Where ultrasounds are required, doctors issue referral slips that allow women to undergo scans free of cost at nearly 500 government-empanelled private diagnostic centres. The market cost of an ultrasound typically ranges between Rs 800 and Rs 2,000.Officials said the system has helped identify around 5,000 high-risk pregnancies every month, enabling follow-up and referral to higher medical facilities when needed. The government estimates that free ultrasound services alone have provided financial relief of about Rs 1 crore so far.Punjab has 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics, which form the backbone of its primary healthcare network. Health minister Dr Balbir Singh said the expansion of pregnancy care through these clinics is intended to improve access to essential services closer to home and reduce the burden on larger hospitals.The government said the focus remains on improving coverage, early diagnosis and continuity of care for mothers and newborns across the state.

England captain Ben Stokes speaks with coach Brendon McCullum (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

England captain Ben Stokes has strongly backed head coach Brendon McCullum ahead of the final Test of the Ashes 2025–26 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Even though England have already lost the series, Stokes made it clear that he still believes in McCullum and feels their partnership is very important for the team’s future.Stokes said he has no doubts about wanting McCullum to continue as England’s head coach. At the same time, he accepted that losing the Ashes means both of them must take a hard look at what has gone wrong and find ways to improve the team.

Speaking before the Sydney Test, Stokes said, “There is no doubt in my mind that Brendon and I are the right people to carry on doing this for the near future. I have thoroughly enjoyed the time I have worked with Brendon. I cannot see there being someone else who I could take this team with from where we are now to even bigger heights.”He added that the responsibility lies with both the captain and the coach to raise the team’s level. “So for us as captain and coach, when we do have the time off, we need to put our heads together and go, What is it that we think we need to do to go to the next level?’’ Stokes said.Brendon McCullum took charge of England’s men’s Test team in May 2022. His appointment marked the beginning of the aggressive and positive style of play known as “Bazball.” The approach brought quick success, and in 2024, McCullum was named England’s all-format coach. He officially began handling both Test and white-ball teams in January 2025.Under Stokes and McCullum, England made a strong start. They won 10 of their first 11 Test matches together, which raised expectations. However, results have been inconsistent since then. In their last 34 Tests, England have won 16 and lost 16, with two matches ending in draws. They have also failed to win a major five-Test series against traditional rivals Australia or India.In the ongoing Ashes series, England are trailing Australia 3-1. While the trophy is already out of reach, England will be keen to finish the tour on a positive note. The final Test begins on January 4 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, where Stokes and his team will be aiming for a victory.

GHAZIABAD: The latest flashpoint in a bitter family feud was the decision of former Indian Air Force officer Yogesh Kumar to sell his house. “Kumar had asked both his sons to vacate the house,” said Loni ACP Siddharth Gautam, setting off a chain of events that ended in his murder the day after Christmas.Police have identified the killers as a Kaushambi-based constable, Naveen Kumar, and a 32-year-old man from Bulandshahr, both hired by Kumar’s sons, Nitesh and Guddu. The two sons allegedly provided the hitmen with Rs 5 lakh to carry out the attack. Naveen Kumar and the sons are currently absconding. The Bulandshahr man, who had a criminal past as a juvenile, has been arrested.The arrested man had been convicted in the infamous 2008 Barari massacre, in which he killed seven members of his uncle’s family, including a pregnant aunt and a two-year-old cousin. At the time, he was just 15 and sent to a correction home, while his father, the main accused, was sentenced to death in 2016. He has been living in Ghaziabad for several years and was a neighbour of Kumar in Ashok Vihar, Loni.Police said the accused had a personal grudge against Kumar, including disputes over feeding stray dogs in the locality, which made him an easy target for Nitesh and Guddu’s plan.Kumar had retired as an assistant warrant officer on July 31 last year. Police said the sons were motivated by a desire to access their father’s “hefty savings” and feared losing control over the property.According to police, the murder was meticulously planned. CCTV footage showed the accused and Naveen riding a Hero Xtreme bike on the day of the crime, their faces masked. Although the bike’s number plate had been removed, police traced its owner, who revealed it had been borrowed “to go shopping.” The accused was arrested from his residence, where he lives with his wife and two children. Naveen and the sons remain at large.ACP Gautam detailed the attack: “Nitesh and Guddu planned the murder with the accused on the terrace of Kumar’s house. The accused knew Naveen, who is a UP Police constable but had been on leave since August 2025. On the day of the murder, the accused hit Kumar with an iron rod. When Kumar fell to the ground, Naveen shot him in the head first. The accused fired a second bullet.” The attack occurred just 50 meters from Kumar’s house.An FIR has been registered at Loni police station, invoking murder charges along with sections of the Arms Act. Police are continuing the investigation to apprehend the remaining accused and probe whether the attack was premeditated or influenced by other disputes.

India’s largest institutional investor, Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), has seen the value of its investment in ITC erode by Rs 10,445 crore over just two sessions, after the FMCG major’s shares plunged sharply following a steep hike in cigarette duties, ET reported.LIC held a 15.86 per cent stake in ITC, equivalent to about 199 crore equity shares, at the end of the September quarter. The sell-off was triggered after the finance ministry late Wednesday notified a revised excise duty structure on cigarettes, effective February 1.Under the new regime, duties will range from Rs 2,050 to Rs 8,500 per 1,000 sticks, depending on cigarette length, a move that sent shockwaves across the tobacco sector and sparked heavy selling in cigarette stocks.ITC shares crashed to a three-year low of Rs 345.35 on Friday before ending the session at Rs 350.10, down Rs 13.75, or 3.8 per cent, from the previous close. The stock has fallen 14 per cent over the past two trading days.The sharp correction has prompted multiple brokerage downgrades. Motilal Oswal Financial Services described the magnitude of the tax increase as “staggering”, noting that cigarette taxes will rise by about 50 per cent, ET reported.The brokerage said ITC would be forced to implement price hikes of at least 25 per cent at the portfolio level just to maintain current net realisation per stick, and downgraded the stock from ‘Buy’ to ‘Neutral’ with a revised target price of Rs 400.“To offset the tax burden, ITC will need to implement substantial price increases. Assuming no mix change, ITC requires a 40 per cent price hike just to pass on the impact,” Jefferies said in its downgrade of the stock from Buy to Hold.Jefferies added that if ITC passes on the full impact through price hikes, the effective tax hike would be around 70 per cent, pushing tobacco taxes per stick from 55 per cent to 65 per cent of the maximum retail price.The brokerage remained cautious, stating that “near-to-medium term upside now looks capped” and warning that the stock could face further pressure in the near term.ITC shares have already been under pressure, declining about 28 per cent over the past one year, even before the latest tax move added fresh uncertainty to the outlook.