MUMBAI: For film enthusiasts looking for the next wave of cinematic voices, the National Students’ Film Festival (NSFF) 2026 offered a promising glimpse. Held on February 28 and March 1 at the University of Mumbai’s Kalina campus, the two-day festival brought together 30 shortlisted student films across languages and genres, combining screenings with masterclasses, jury interactions and discussions on the future of Indian cinema.Organised jointly by Rashtriya Kala Manch (RKM), Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and Vidyarthi Nidhi Trust, the festival positioned itself as more than a campus showcase. It functioned as a platform where young filmmakers engaged directly with industry professionals on storytelling, technology and ethics.The festival opened in the presence of director Ravi Udyawar, along with ABVP national secretary Payal Kinake, RKM coordinator Abhinav Deep and festival organiser Soumya Chawre. The inauguration set the tone, while a jury briefing later highlighted the festival’s focus on craft and responsibility.Among the mentors were writer Nidhi Singh Dharma, screenwriter Amarnath Jha, music director Rahul Suhas, National Award-winning directors Neeraj Kumar Mishra and Vandita Chakradev, and filmmaker Vishal Chaturvedi. Their sessions explored the changing language of cinema, the evolving media landscape and the social responsibility of filmmaking — themes that resonated with a generation shaped by OTT platforms and algorithm-driven visibility.The festival featured 30 selected films ranging from intimate dramas and socially driven narratives to experimental storytelling. Screenings received strong audience engagement, with post-film discussions often extending beyond scheduled time.Four masterclasses formed the academic core of the event. Writer-editor Abhijeet Deshpande explained storytelling structure and screenplay design. Sudip Lahiri, head of Collective Media, discussed technological changes in filmmaking, including digital workflows and emerging visual formats. Writer-cinematographer Kedar Gaikwad shared insights into cinematography, editing rhythm and sound design, emphasising technical precision. Telugu filmmaker V. N. Aditya spoke about ethics in filmmaking and the responsibility that comes with influence.Each session ended with an open question-and-answer segment, giving students the opportunity to clarify doubts and exchange ideas.Satyajit Mandle, deputy director of the National Museum of Indian Cinema, conducted a networking session that combined historical perspective with practical career guidance, highlighting the importance of understanding cinema’s roots.A widely discussed panel on “AI and the Future of Indian Cinema” featured filmmaker Pooja Kadam and producer Avinash Tripathi. The discussion examined how artificial intelligence is influencing scripting, editing and production design, while also raising concerns about originality and authorship.The valedictory ceremony was attended by Maharshi Shah, creative director of Birla Studios, as chief guest. He encouraged young filmmakers to study Indian cinema deeply before attempting innovation. “Study widely, absorb deeply, then create,” he said.Tarun Rathi, chairman of the Film Development Authority, highlighted the importance of “unique concept, unique character and unique scene”, while ABVP national organisation minister Ashish Chauhan stressed perseverance. RKM head Ankita Shukla spoke about the organisation’s “Triple P Concept” — Passion, Platform and Purpose — as a guiding principle for emerging artists.At the awards ceremony, Panpankh won Best Film. Songti and Seize received the Special Jury Award. Sanjha Kua won Best Music, Riha received Best Editing, Baap Re Baap was named Best Young Director, and The Queue was recognised as Best Promising Voice.For Mumbai’s film community, NSFF 2026 reflected a growing confidence in student cinema — one that is socially aware, technically skilled and creatively bold. As the festival concluded with a collective rendition of “Sampurna Vande Mataram”, it left behind a strong sense that a new generation of storytellers is ready to shape the future of Indian cinema.

Shares of Petronet LNG Ltd plunged almost 12% on Wednesday after reports that Qatar, India’s top supplier of imported natural gas, had declared force majeure following a halt in production amid the ongoing crisis in Middle East. On the BSE, the stock dropped 11.69% to Rs 273, while on the NSE it fell 11.95% to Rs 271.75. According to sources, the production halt has forced cuts in supplies to industries of up to 40%. Qatar provides about 40% of the roughly 27 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) India imports each year, serving sectors ranging from power generation and fertiliser production to piped cooking gas and CNG distribution. Around 1:30 pm, the stock was trading at 282.45, down 26.70 or 8.64% on the Bombay Stock Exchange. On the NSE, the share stood at 282.30, shedding 26.35 points or 8.54%. Petronet LNG has informed gas marketers that Qatar has stopped its LNG production after Iran continued strikes on Gulf countries in retaliation for Israeli and US attacks. The announcement sent shares of other gas distributors lower as well, with Mahanagar Gas down 8.50%, Indraprastha Gas falling 5%, and Gujarat Gas slipping 4% on the BSE. The strikes have also brought shipments of oil and LNG through the Strait of Hormuz close to a standstill, pushing global energy prices higher and sharply raising war-risk insurance and shipping costs. Iran controls the Strait, a critical route through which roughly half of India’s crude oil imports and more than half of its LNG supplies pass, including shipments from Qatar and the UAE. Petronet has reportedly notified its offtakers, GAIL (India) Ltd and Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), about the disruption. Gas marketers have responded by reducing industrial supplies while maintaining CNG retail flows, with cutbacks ranging from 10 to 40%. Indian buyers of liquefied natural gas are now exploring alternative sourcing options after supplies from Qatar were disrupted due to the Iranian drone strike that forced the Gulf producer to halt output. As the world’s second-largest LNG exporter, any prolonged outage in Qatar is expected to increase global competition for available cargoes. Qatar remains India’s biggest LNG supplier, accounting for nearly half of the country’s imports last year, according to vessel-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg. Under its long-term contract, Petronet buys 8.5 million tonnes per annum of LNG from Qatar and also purchases additional supplies from the spot market. Besides Petronet, IOC and other companies also hold LNG import agreements with the UAE.

NEW DELHI: The Governing Council of the Indian Premier League has cleared the first phase of the IPL 2026 schedule, with the fixtures expected to be officially announced on March 6 or 7, according to a report by Cricbuzz.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The decision was taken during an online GC meeting on Monday, where it was decided that the Season 19 schedule would be released in two phases. The first set of fixtures, covering approximately the opening 13 to 14 days, is likely to be unveiled later this week.

As per the same report, the tournament opener is set to be held at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Royal Challengers Bengaluru confirmed on Tuesday that they will play five home matches at the venue. As per tradition, the defending champions host the opening match, and that convention appears set to continue. Karnataka State Cricket Association secretary Santosh Menon also confirmed that the Chinnaswamy Stadium will stage a playoff fixture as well as the final.While RCB’s opening opponents are yet to be finalised, an earlier Cricbuzz report had indicated that the start of the season could be pushed back slightly, with March 28 or 29 emerging as probable dates. The final, as previously announced, is scheduled for May 31.In a recent communication to franchises, BCCI acting CEO and IPL COO Hemang Amin conveyed that practice session guidelines would be shared next week. Franchises were also informed that No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for overseas players would be issued collectively in the coming days.The delay in releasing the full schedule is linked to the pending announcement of Assembly election dates in West Bengal, Assam and Tamil Nadu. With limited time before the season begins, the BCCI has opted for a staggered release — a strategy previously adopted during election years.

South Korea’s Kospi, which had long stood out as one of the world’s hottest-performing markets over the past year, with a whopping 36% gain, hit a roadblock. The Kospi Index, which recently inched up 3% to its record high, tumbled as much as 13% on Wednesday. This dramatic sell-off follows a 7.2% decline in the previous session amid the escalating Middle East crisis.The sell-off was led by market heavyweights that had powered gains until last month, including Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and Hyundai Motor. Trading in both Kospi and Kosdaq shares was halted for 20 minutes after losses exceeded 8% and triggered the circuit breaker.The benchmark fell sharply as heavy selling in index heavyweights dragged the market lower after a prolonged AI-driven rally left valuations stretched. Rising oil prices amid Middle East tensions also dampened sentiment as the outlook for US Federal Reserve easing is uncertain and concerns for import-dependent South Korea continue to rise. At the same time, global investors moved to cut risk exposure, with foreign funds turning net sellers and retail participation weakening, while a spike in volatility intensified the sell-off.“Moves are too extreme so forecasting feels almost impossible – analysis doesn’t really help,” said An Hyungjin, chief executive officer at Seoul-based Billionfold Asset Management. “Retail investors seem to hesitate as well, bids are fading since yesterday. While we are picking quality names and hedging, this isn’t a clear opportunity,” Bloomberg cited the expert.

Kospi’s strong rally – Is it a pause or a turning point?

South Korea’s stock surge had been fuelled by the artificial intelligence boom, with the Kospi climbing nearly 50% this year at its peak. South Korea is the world’s eighth-largest crude consumer, making energy costs a key factor in market sentiment.Over the past year, South Korean equities often bucked regional trends, rising even on days when other markets fell. Strong demand for memory chips drove multi-fold gains in Samsung and SK Hynix, while government-led corporate reforms spurred a re-rating of the market.A further decline could test that resilience. Investors are now debating whether the recent turbulence signals a turning point or merely a pause before the market resumes its upward trajectory.“This reads like a positioning unwind more than a South Korea-specific fundamental break,” Dave Mazza, chief executive officer at Roundhill Investments told Bloomberg. “When global risk appetite turns and energy and foreign exchange volatility jump, you get fast de-risking in the biggest, most liquid index names.”Foreign investors were net sellers of Kospi stocks in morning trading, while retail and local institutional investors increased positions. The Kospi 200 Volatility Index, which tracks option prices, surged to its highest level since March 2020.

Safer segments

Not all sectors were hit. Defence stocks continued to rise amid expectations that instability in the Middle East will persist. LIG Nex1 and Hanwha Systems each climbed more than 25% at their intraday highs.“This may create select opportunities to build positions in companies and industries that are now trading at attractive prices,” said Park Sojung, a portfolio manager at Matthews Asia. “South Korean industrials such as defence and shipbuilding may again be highlighted as beneficiaries of global instability, constrained supply, and South Korea’s growing strategic importance.”In February, the South Korean benchmark had hit a fresh record high, rising 3% to close at 5,677.25. Before the Middle East crisis broke out, Goldman Sachs had predicted a bright rally ahead. “After nearly doubling in 2025, Korea is again the leading market in Asia Pacific…While many investors are asking if they should reduce positions after such strong performance, we think it is still too early.” The investment bank, as cited by CNBC, further forecasted 120% earnings growth for Korean equities in 2026.

NEW DELHI: The ministry of external affairs (MEA) has set up a special control room to assist Indian nationals affected by the escalating crisis in West Asia and the Gulf region. The move comes amid growing security concerns as tensions continue to rise across the region.“A Control Room has been set up in the Ministry of External Affairs in view of the current situation in West Asia and the Gulf region,” the MEA said on Wednesday.

In a statement, the MEA said nearly one crore Indian citizens reside in West Asia, adding that their safety and well-being remain of “utmost priority” for the government.“The Control Room can be contacted from 9.00 am to 9.00 pm at: 1800118797 (Toll Free) +91 11 2301 2113, +91 11 2301 4104, +91 11 2301 7905,” the statement added. The MEA said the government will continue to closely monitor the evolving situation and take appropriate decisions in the national interest. It added that New Delhi remains in contact with governments in the region as well as other key international partners.Meanwhile, the Consulate General of India in Jeddah on Tuesday said it is extending full support to Indian nationals travelling on special flights from the city amid regional travel disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict in West Asia.In a statement, the Consulate said Consul General Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri, along with senior officials, visited King Abdulaziz International Airport to review arrangements for Indian passengers departing on non-scheduled flights to various destinations in India.The special flights, operated by Indian carriers, have been arranged to mitigate the impact of recent disruptions and facilitate the return of affected passengers.The United States and Israel launched coordinated military strikes on Iran on February 28, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior figures, in what has become one of the most significant escalations in the region in decades.In the days that followed, Iran has carried out a series of retaliatory attacks, primarily targeting Israel and US military bases across several Gulf countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

Iran on Wednesday hit key American assets across Middle East amid the fifth day of its escalation with the joint forces of US and Israel.According to US media reports, Iranian drones struck US consulate in Dubai, a CIA station US Embassy compound in Riyadh and military base at Qatar’s Al-Udeid.

US consulate in DubaiAccording to Wall Street Journal, a US official and Dubai’s government media office confirmed that a drone struck the parking lot of the consulate in Dubai. Authorities have put down ‌a limited fire in the vicinity of ⁠the US consulate in Dubai due to a drone strike.Several Footages are being circulated on social media, showing black smoke near the consulate. Dubai’s government told the Journal that it had contained the fire. “Emergency teams responded immediately,” the media office said. “No injuries have been reported.”CIA station in RiyadhMeanwhile, Fox News – citing sources – reported that that a CIA station inside the US Embassy compound in Riyadh was hit in a drone attack. Two drones caused structural damage and smoke inside the compound, officials said. There were no immediate reports of injuries, said the news report.An internal state department alert obtained by the Washington Post said that the attack caused part of the embassy’s roof to collapse and filled the interior with smoke, leaving the building with structural damage.“Embassy personnel were sheltering in place at the time. There were no CIA casualties, though there was significant damage to the building,” a source familiar with the matter told Washington PostWhile both the US and Saudi governments acknowledged the drones struck the embassy complex, neither disclosed that the CIA station was among the targets, the report further said.Military base in QatarAdditionally, an Iranian ballistic missile hit US military base at Al-Udeid, Qatar’s Defence Ministry said, as Iran struck targets across the Middle East in retaliation for US-Israeli attacks.The ministry said that Qatar was targeted by two missiles, adding: “Air defence systems successfully intercepted one of the missiles, while the second missile struck Al-Udeid Qatari Base without causing any casualties.”Later Qatar said it had dismantled two spy cells linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, its official press agency reported just after midnight on Wednesday.“Close surveillance made it possible to arrest 10 suspects: seven were tasked with spying and gathering information about vital and military infrastructure in the country, and three were meant to carry out sabotage operations,” the agency said.It added the suspects “admitted during the investigation their links to the Revolutionary Guards and having been instructed to conduct espionage and sabotage activities”.Meanwhile, Pentagon has identified four of the six US soldiers who were killed in an Iranian drone strike on Sunday. The US Army Reserve in post on X said, “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the deaths of four U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers supporting Operation Epic Fury on March 1st.”According to CNN, the identified soldiers were Capt. Cody Khork, 35; Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens, 42; Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, 39; and Sgt. Declan Coady, 20. All four were assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command, an Army Reserve sustainment unit out of Iowa.According to the US Army Reserve X post, Lt. Gen. Robert Harter, Chief of Army Reserve said, “We honor our fallen Heroes, who served fearlessly and selflessly in defense of our nation.”The US Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll confirmed casualties linked to recent Iranian attacks on American forces in West Asia on Wednesday and mourned the death of soldiers in the ongoing conflict.In a post on X, he said, “I’m deeply saddened by the loss and injury of our Soldiers from the recent Iranian attacks on US Army forces in the Middle East. We extend our deepest condolences and prayers to all those impacted by these recent attacks.”

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NEW DELHI: The weather forecast for Mumbai ahead of the India vs England T20 World Cup semi-final on Thursday at Wankhede Stadium brings welcome relief for fans. After rain disrupted a couple of matches earlier in the tournament, there were understandable concerns about possible interruptions during the knockout stage.

However, the current conditions suggest a smooth and uninterrupted evening of cricket. For the match night on Thursday, skies are expected to remain clear with virtually 0% cloud cover. The temperature is forecast to hover around 23°C, ensuring comfortable playing conditions. Humidity levels are not expected to be extreme, which should help players maintain energy levels through the high-pressure contest.Importantly, the probability of precipitation stands at 0%, and there is no chance of thunderstorms. That means rain is highly unlikely to interfere with the game. Winds are predicted to blow from the north-northwest at around 9 km/h, with occasional gusts reaching up to 41 km/h. While slightly breezy at times, these wind speeds are not expected to significantly affect play.Clear skies will also provide ideal visibility for players tracking the ball under lights, and for spectators enjoying the atmosphere in a packed stadium. Fast bowlers may get a bit of assistance from the breeze, but overall, conditions appear balanced and fair.With the forecast looking stable and dry, fans can expect a full 40-over contest without delays or Duckworth-Lewis calculations coming into play. If the weather holds as predicted, the stage is perfectly set for a thrilling semi-final showdown in Mumbai.