Megastar Chiranjeevi showered immense praise on his son Ram Charan’s upcoming film ‘Peddi’, calling the new song ‘Rai Rai Raa Raa’ sheer fire. The song, featuring Charan’s graceful dance and electrifying presence, has generated significant buzz. With A.R. Rahman’s chartbuster first song and a strong cast, ‘Peddi’ is set for a grand release on April 30, 2026, with expectations soaring.

With the rise of social media, film stars enjoy wide publicity, but they also face new challenges. In recent years, paparazzi culture has grown rapidly, often crossing personal boundaries. As some celebrities invite photographers for promotions, many uncomfortable situations also occurres especially for actresses. Now, Sapthami Gowda, best known for ‘Kantara,’ has openly criticized photographers who shoot and circulate objectionable videos of female artists at public events. She has even started a campaign demanding respect and basic dignity for women in the industry.

Sapthami Gowda calls out inappropriate camera angles

Sapthami Gowda strongly questioned the practice of filming women from inappropriate angles and zooming in on their bodies instead of focusing on their work. In a detailed Instagram story written in both Kannada and English, she said “As women in the film industry, we stand together in addressing a recurring issue. Repeatedly, videos and photographs of female actors at public events are shot and circulated from inappropriate angles, with unnecessary zooms that focus on our bodies rather than our work. This behavior, carried out by a few individuals, is disrespectful and unacceptable. We are here for our craft. We are here for our cinema. We unequivocally condemn deliberate zoom-ins and inappropriate angles. They are clear violations of dignity and will not be normalized or tolerated. We expect those covering events to maintain professionalism, basic respect, and decency. We stand united in setting this boundary. We stand in solidarity with every woman who has experienced this – and we will continue to support one another in demanding respect.”

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Social media support grows

The actress’ post on social media attracted major eye balls because of her courage. Sapthami Gowda said that the journalists and photojournalists covering the story should be professional, ethical, and polite. She also supported every woman who has to endure such incidents. By raising her voice, she has started an important conversation about how female artists are treated in public spaces.

Sapthami Gowda’s strong message

On the work front, Sapthami Gowda is currently seen in ‘The Rise of Ashoka,’ alongside actor Satish Ninasam. After gaining nationwide fame with ‘Kantara’ and later appearing in ‘Yuva,’ she is returning to the spotlight after a brief gap. As Sapthami Gowda navigates her path in cinema, she has shown that she is equally capable of taking a stand on crucial issues related to women in the film fraternity, just as well as her talents handle the spotlight.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has reached its business end, and all eyes are now on the blockbuster semi-final between India and England. With a place in the final at stake, the two cricketing heavyweights are set to renew their fierce rivalry in what promises to be a high-voltage encounter. India have displayed remarkable consistency throughout the tournament, while England have relied on their aggressive batting template to storm into the knockouts.

As anticipation builds, former India captain and batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has weighed in on what could decide the outcome of this crucial contest. Gavaskar believes that two players in particular will hold the key if India are to overcome England and book their spot in the final.

Sunil Gavaskar names two key stars for India in the high-profile game

Gavaskar has pinpointed spearhead pacer Jasprit Bumrah as India’s most vital weapon against England’s explosive top order. According to the former opener, Bumrah must be unleashed early in the powerplay to dismantle England’s batting core.

“I do believe that he should be bowling at least two overs in the powerplay because as a new-ball bowler, if he can get those early wickets — Jos Buttler, Phil Salt and Harry Brook — he will have pretty much broken the back of the England batting,” Gavaskar said.

He further explained that delaying Bumrah’s introduction allows England’s openers time to settle.

“If Bumrah comes in to bowl the fifth over, when four overs have already been bowled and the batters have faced 8-10 deliveries each, they are already set. Wouldn’t it be better for India if Bumrah were to bowl to them first and get them out?” he added.

The spotlight will firmly be on Bumrah when he runs in with the new ball against the likes of Jos Buttler, Phil Salt and Harry Brook — three batters capable of turning the game within a few overs.

Apart from Bumrah, Gavaskar also backed young left-hander Tilak Varma as a crucial figure in India’s middle order. The veteran praised Tilak’s cricketing intelligence and flexibility in the batting lineup.

“I have always thought of Tilak Varma as a very smart cricketer, someone who assesses the situation well and plays accordingly. Down the order at No.5 or 6, he really understands the need of the hour,” Gavaskar remarked.

Referring to Tilak’s recent performance against West Indies, he highlighted how the youngster absorbed pressure and supported Sanju Samson at a crucial juncture. Gavaskar noted that Tilak’s ability to bat at multiple positions — from No.3 to No.6 — gives India tactical flexibility, a valuable asset in knockout matches.

Also WATCH: Axar Patel playfully mocks Sanju Samson after his match-winning heroics against West Indies in T20 World Cup 2026

Fans expect a cracker of a contest at Wankhede

With the semi-final set to unfold at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, expectations are sky-high. The venue is known for producing high-scoring thrillers, and supporters are bracing for another edge-of-the-seat encounter.

The India-England rivalry in T20 cricket has delivered several unforgettable moments, and this clash carries the added weight of a World Cup semi-final. Social media is already buzzing with debates around team combinations, powerplay strategies and middle-order match-ups.

If Bumrah strikes early and Tilak anchors the middle overs, India could well tilt the balance in their favour. But against a fearless England side, nothing can be taken for granted.

Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026: Glenn McGrath explains why Jasprit Bumrah will sizzle in India’s semi-final clash against England

Here are the top five updates from the day:

Israel launches ground offensive in Lebanon; ‘Hezbollah will pay’, says Netanyahu

Loud explosions were reported in central Tehran as the Israel-Iran war entered its fourth day. Israeli airstrikes struck Beirut’s southern suburbs, reportedly targeting Hezbollah positions. Iran banned food and agricultural exports to safeguard domestic supplies. Meanwhile, the UN human rights chief called for an impartial investigation into a reported strike on a girls’ school in Minab, amid conflicting claims over responsibility.Read the full story

From CAA to Kashmir: Why India is silent over Khamenei’s demise

India has refrained from condemning the reported assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and has called for restraint and dialogue, while criticising Iranian strikes on Gulf nations. The calibrated response has sparked domestic political backlash, with Sonia Gandhi questioning the government’s silence. However, New Delhi cites the move to be in favour of national interests, including energy security, diaspora safety and Gulf partnerships, as tensions escalate across West Asia.Read the full story

Three Indian seafarers killed amid Middle East tensions; Centre issues advisory

Three Indian seafarers were killed and another injured while serving on foreign-flagged vessels in the Middle East amid intensifying US-Israel-Iran conflict. The Directorate General of Shipping is closely monitoring maritime security in the Gulf region, warning of missile, drone and electronic threats. Authorities have activated enhanced surveillance, coordinated with naval and diplomatic agencies, and formed a quick response team to support affected crews and families.Read the full story

How US-Israel-Iran war wiped out Rs 11 lakh crore from stock market

Escalating US-Israel-Iran tensions wiped out Rs 11 lakh crore in market value as Sensex and Nifty dropped over 2.5 per cent, breaching key support levels. Rising crude prices, a spike in India VIX, and safe-haven demand for gold signalled heightened uncertainty. Analysts foresee continued short-term volatility driven by geopolitical headlines, but maintain confidence in India’s strong macro fundamentals and long-term growth outlook.Read the full story

‘Dukhi mat ho bhai’: Rohit Sharma’s hug, 4 words that changed Sanju Samson’s World Cup

Sanju Samson silenced critics with a match-winning unbeaten 97 against the West Indies in the T20 World Cup, sealing India’s highest successful chase in tournament history. Initially benched despite being first-choice opener, Samson drew confidence from Rohit Sharma’s encouragement. After inconsistent performances and setbacks, he seized his opportunity, guiding India into the semifinals and completing a memorable personal comeback.Read the full story

Wankhede Stadium (Agency Photo)

NEW DELHI: The T20 World Cup 2026 has reached the semi-final stage, with India set to face England at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, while South Africa take on New Zealand in Kolkata. So far, the weather forecast looks clear, but fans are still worried because two matches earlier in the tournament were washed out due to rain.To avoid chaos, the ICC has kept a reserve day for both semi-finals.

If rain stops play on the scheduled day, the match will continue or be replayed the next day. There is also extra time available, 90 minutes on the main day and 120 minutes on the reserve day. In the final, both days get 120 minutes of extra time.For a result to be declared, both teams must bat at least 10 overs. If that doesn’t happen, the game will resume from the same score on the reserve day. But if the match still cannot be completed even after the reserve day, then the team that finished higher in the Super 8 stage will qualify for the final.This is where it gets tricky for India. India finished second in their Super 8 group, while England topped their group by winning all three matches. So if the India vs England semi-final is completely washed out, England will go through to the final.In the other semi-final, South Africa finished above New Zealand in their group. So if that match is abandoned, South Africa will move to the final. The final is scheduled for March 8 in Ahmedabad, with March 9 as the reserve day. Now, fans will be hoping rain stays away from these crucial games.

NEW DELHI: Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will play five of their seven home matches of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The confirmation comes ahead of the new season, with the defending champions set to return to their primary home venue.This is a significant development for RCB following the horrific stampede that took place near the stadium because of mismanagement, as the franchise celebrated its maiden IPL title last year. According to a statement by RCB, as cited by news agency ANI, the development follows months of coordination with the concerned authorities to ensure matches could be hosted in Bengaluru. The remaining two home fixtures of their IPL 2026 campaign will be played at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur, as per prior commitment.“RCB extends its sincere gratitude to the Government of Karnataka, the Karnataka State Cricket Association and the Karnataka Police for their unwavering guidance, cooperation and support in facilitating the hosting of matches in Bengaluru. The collective efforts to ramp up infrastructure and safety measures in time for the IPL season have ensured that the defending champions will play the majority of their home games in their home ground,” a statement stated.Rajesh Menon, CEO, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, said, “The M Chinnaswamy Stadium is more than just our home ground; it is where our identity as a team truly comes alive. The energy our fans bring to Bengaluru has always been a driving force for our players, inspiring them through every phase of the game. Our fans have stood by us unconditionally, and they deserve the opportunity to watch their team compete at home.”“After detailed discussions and completing the necessary due process around permissions, we are pleased to confirm that RCB will play five matches in Bengaluru. We sincerely thank the Government of Karnataka, the KSCA, and the Karnataka Police for their support in making this possible,” Menon said.On June 4 last year, 11 people died and over 50 were injured in a stampede outside Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy stadium as a massive crowd of nearly 3 lakh people had gathered to witness the victory celebration of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, celebrating their maiden IPL trophy win.

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NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday spoke to the Sultan of Oman and the Crown Prince of Kuwait amid escalating tensions in Middle East, expressing concern over recent attacks and reviewing the security of the Indian community in the two Gulf nations.PM Modi held a phone conversation with Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman. He also spoke with Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah.During both discussions, the Prime Minister conveyed India’s concern at the attacks in the respective countries and discussed the welfare and security of Indians residing there.The outreach is part of India’s ongoing diplomatic engagement with Gulf partners following the recent escalation in the region, and as the conflict between the US and Iran has widened across the regionWith a large Indian diaspora living and working across the Gulf, New Delhi has been closely monitoring the situation and maintaining contact with regional leadership to ensure their safety.The ministry of external affairs (MEA) said in a statement that India had expressed “deep concern” at the commencement of the conflict in Iran and the Gulf region on February 28, 2026, urging all sides to exercise restraint, avoid escalation and prioritise the safety of civilians.“Unfortunately, in the holy month of Ramadan, the situation in the region has deteriorated significantly and continuously,” the MEA said, noting that the conflict has intensified and spread to other nations, disrupting normal life and economic activity.India asserted that nearly one crore Indian citizens live and work in the Gulf region, making their safety and well-being a priority. “We cannot be impervious to any development that negatively affects them,” the MEA said, adding that India’s trade and energy supply chains pass through the region and any major disruption would have serious economic consequences.India also reiterated its opposition to attacks on merchant shipping, stating that some Indian nationals have lost their lives or are missing in recent days due to such incidents.In this backdrop, New Delhi “strongly reiterates its call for dialogue and diplomacy” and has called for an early end to the conflict. The government expressed grief over the lives lost.Indian embassies and consulates in affected countries are in close contact with nationals and community organisations, issuing advisories and extending assistance to those stranded. The MEA said the Prime Minister and external affairs minister have been in touch with counterparts in the region and that the government will continue to monitor the evolving situation and take decisions in the national interest.

NEW DELHI: India on Tuesday reiterated its call for an “early end to the conflict” in Iran and the wider Gulf region, expressing deep concern over the rapid escalation of hostilities and the mounting civilian toll. The ministry of external affairs (MEA) said the situation, which began deteriorating from February 28, poses serious risks to regional stability, international trade, and the safety of nearly one crore Indian nationals living and working in the Gulf.“India strongly reiterates its call for dialogue and diplomacy. We raise our voice clearly in favour of an early end to the conflict,” the MEA said in an official statement.

According to the ministry, the government is “closely monitoring the evolving situation” and has been in touch with regional governments as well as other key international partners. Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and external affairs minister S Jaishankar have been speaking with their counterparts to assess developments and coordinate efforts.Jaishankar, in a post on X, shared about his dialogue with the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, Kaja Kallas, on the ongoing conflict in Iran and the Gulf. He wrote, “Had a telecon with EU HRVP Kaja Kallas. Our discussions focused on the ongoing conflict in Iran and the Gulf.”PM Modi also spoke to two important leaders from the Gulf region on Tuesday. He had a phone call with Sultan of Oman, his majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and the crown prince of Kuwait HH Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah.During both discussions, the Prime Minister expressed concern at the attacks in the respective countries and discussed the welfare and security of the Indian community residing there.The MEA statement also noted that Indian embassies and consulates in the affected countries are actively assisting citizens on the ground.“They have also extended all possible help to those stranded by the conflict,” it said, adding that advisories and support networks are being updated regularly to ensure the safety and welfare of expatriates.India’s concerns extend beyond the welfare of its citizens. The MEA highlighted grave implications for trade and energy supply chains, noting that disruptions in the Gulf could severely affect India’s economy. The statement also condemned attacks on commercial vessels, after reports that some Indian crew members had been killed or gone missing in recent days.“As a country whose nationals are prominent in the global workforce, India is also firmly opposed to attacks on merchant shipping,” the ministry added.Recalling that it had earlier expressed “deep concern” when the conflict began on February 28, India underlined that it had urged “all sides to exercise restraint, avoid escalation and prioritise the safety of civilians.” The ongoing violence, it said, has only deepened its worry as the conflict has now spread to other nations during the holy month of Ramadan.Describing itself as a “proximate neighbour with critical stakes” in the region’s security and stability, India said it would continue to act decisively “in the national interest” while advocating peace and diplomacy.