There seems to be just no stopping ‘Durandhar’ at the box office. The film completed its 5th week at the ticket windows and emerged as the highest-earning film of the weekend. Directed by Aditya Dhar and starring Ranveer Singh in the lead, the film continued its extraordinary run at the box office, recording the strongest fifth-week performance to date.

‘Dhurandhar’ 5th weekend collections

As per early estimates on sacnilk, the film that has completed 1 month since its release on December 5, raked in an early collection of Rs 12.75 crore India net on Sunday. With its collection on Friday estimated at Rs 8.75 crore and Saturday’s net total of Rs 11.75 crore, the film’s fifth weekend total now stands at an impressive Rs 33.25 crore.

‘Dhurandhar’ records highest 5th week collections of all time

‘Dhurandhar’ has officially taken over Vicky Kaushal‘s ‘Chaava’ to score the highest fifth-week collection for a Hindi film. The historical film previously held the record with a total collection of Rs 30.05 crore. It must be noted that ‘Dhurandhar’ managed to beat that record in just 3 days.

‘Dhurandhar’ week-wise collections

‘Dhurandhar’ has been maintaining a strong hold over the box office since its release last month. The film completed its first week at the box office with a total collection of Rs 207.25 crore. In its second week, the film saw a surge in numbers, recording its highest net collections with an estimated Rs 253.25 crore. During its third week, the film managed to hold strong, despite slipping below the Rs 200 crore mark, the film earned an impressive Rs 172 crore. The film also managed to cross the Rs 100 crore mark in its fourth week, with a total net collection of Rs 106.5 crore. With the film’s fifth weekend numbers, the total net collections of ‘Dhurandhar’ now stand at an estimated Rs 772.25 crore.

‘Dhurandhar’ gross total collections

As per the report, the film’s India gross collections stand at an estimated Rs 925.5 crore. With an addition of Rs 275 crore coming in from overseas markets, ‘Dhurandhar’ has now officially crossed the Rs 1,200 crore mark at the worldwide box office. The film’s current worldwide collection stands at an estimated Rs 1,201.5 crore, thus cementing its position as the biggest blockbuster of 2025 and one of the highest-grossing Indian films of all time.

NEW DELHI: Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman has reacted to his release from the Indian Premier League (IPL) by the IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).His reaction came before the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Sunday resolved that the national team will not travel to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup. The decision was taken at a meeting held on Sunday afternoon.The matter was discussed against the backdrop of Mustafizur Rahman’s exclusion from the IPL. BCB directors had earlier met online on Saturday night to discuss the issue.At that stage, most directors were not in favour of taking any strict step. However, following intervention from the Bangladesh government, the board reviewed its position and changed its decision.What BCB said“The Board reviewed the situation in detail, taking into account developments over the last 24 hours and expressed deep concern over the overall circumstances surrounding the participation of the Bangladesh National Team in matches scheduled to be played in India,” the BCB said in an official release.“Following a thorough assessment of the prevailing situation and the growing concerns regarding the safety and security of the Bangladesh contingent in India and considering the advice from the Bangladesh Government, the Board of Directors resolved that the Bangladesh National Team will not travel to India for the tournament under the current conditions,” the statement added.The BCB has also requested that Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup matches be moved out of India. “In light of this decision, the BCB has formally requested the International Cricket Council (ICC), as the event authority, to consider relocating all of Bangladesh’s matches to a venue outside India,” the board said.The decision followed Mustafizur Rahman’s release by IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) after instructions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), amid rising diplomatic tension between India and Bangladesh.Reacting to the development, Mustafizur said, “If they release me, there’s nothing much I can do,” while speaking to BDCrictime.KKR had signed the 30-year-old left-arm pacer for Rs 9.20 crore at the players’ auction last month. His base price was Rs 2 crore, with Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals also involved in the bidding.The BCCI said KKR will be allowed to name a replacement player if required for the tournament, which is scheduled to start on March 26.India and Sri Lanka are the joint hosts of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. As per the schedule released so far, Bangladesh are set to play West Indies in Kolkata on February 7, the opening day of the tournament.Bangladesh’s remaining three group-stage matches are also scheduled to be held in Kolkata and Mumbai.Earlier on Sunday, the BCB announced a 15-member squad for the World Cup, naming Liton Das as captain.

CHENNAI: What was once seen as optional is increasingly viewed as essential: uptake of overseas travel insurance among Indian outbound travellers has nearly doubled in six years, driven by rising medical costs abroad and heightened awareness of travel disruptions in the post-pandemic era. According to Irdai’s annual report, 96.7 lakh lives were covered under 27.9 lakh overseas travel insurance policies during 2024–25. The gross premium income from the overseas travel insurance business for FY25 stood at Rs 1,267 crore.

This marks a substantial jump of 91% compared with 2018-19, when 50.5 lakh lives were covered through 25.8 lakh overseas travel insurance policies. Over the same six-year period, gross premium income from the overseas travel insurance business rose by 67.4%, from Rs 757 crore in FY19. The market share of private general insurers in overseas travel insurance gross premium also increased from 81% in FY19 to 84% in FY25. Meet Kapadia, head of travel insurance at Policybazaar, said the growth reflects a clear shift in how Indians are planning international travel. “The pandemic may have been the trigger, but the sustained rise indicates that Indian travellers are now travelling with a sharper understanding of risk. Medical treatment overseas can be five to eight times more expensive than in India, even for non-critical care. Beyond medical emergencies, recent flight disruptions have also made the financial impact of delays, missed connections and extended stays far more pronounced,” he added. Dev Karvat, founder and CEO of Asego, a global assistance and travel insurance provider, said leisure travellers form the largest segment of international travellers seeking overseas medical insurance, while business travellers, students and long-term travellers, including professionals on overseas assignments, also opt for it. “Senior citizens are an increasingly important segment, with rising outbound travel among older Indians driving demand for specialised medical coverage and dependable emergency assistance,” he added. The India Tourism Statistics report by the ministry of tourism shows that Indian outbound departures rose 14.7% from 2.7 crore in 2019 to just over 3 crore in 2024. Overseas travel insurance uptake has increased steadily despite not being universally mandatory, though it is required for certain destinations such as Schengen countries as part of visa norms. Ravi Gosain, president of the Indian Association of Tour Operators, said the growth in overseas travel insurance reflects the strong revival of outbound travel from India.

Danish firm Novo Nordisk expects India’s obesity therapy market to evolve rapidly, saying its recent Wegovy (injectable semaglutide) price cut could lift patient uptake five-to-seven-fold, echoing its insulin experience. This comes even as lower-priced generics loom, with a rival drugmaker, Eli Lilly & Co, also eyeing a share of one of the fastest-growing therapy segments.“Our recent price cut wasn’t about generics — it was about improving access. When we cut insulin prices in 2020 by 30%, patient uptake increased five to seven times over five years. We expect a similar impact here,” Vikrant Shrotriya, managing director at Novo Nordisk India, told TOI in an exclusive interaction. He added that uptake in semaglutide could accelerate faster, given the scale of unmet need in obesity treatment.

Analysts expect with the patent expiry of semaglutide in March in India, emerging markets and regulated markets (Brazil, Canada) could create an incremental Rs 5000-crore opportunity for generic versions (global and domestic) over the next 12-15 months. “For FY27E, we see this as a Rs 1000-2000 crore incremental revenue opportunity in India’s branded formulation space,” a Systematix analyst said. The company slashed the price of Wegovy in Nov last year by up to 37% from its launch price, aiming to gain ground in one of the world’s fastest-growing obesity treatment markets ahead of the expected entry of generics. Novo, a pioneer and a dominant market player in insulin analogues globally, introduced its obesity and diabetes therapies — Wegovy, followed by Ozempic, last year in India. Responding to a query on the impact on pricing with the generics’ entry, he said, “The market will be competitive and evolve rapidly — like AI adoption. Multiple players will enter, benefiting patients through better access and services. We aim to be the preferred partner for doctors and patients, focusing on quality, reliability, and education.” Further, in Dec 2025, US Food and Drug Administration approved oral semaglutide, expanding Novo Nordisk’s obesity treatment portfolio beyond the shot. The company plans to launch the Wegovy pill in the US this month, and will evaluate its launch (here) based on global uptake and production capacity. Shrotriya, a Novo Nordisk veteran of 25 years and India MD since 2020, said, “India has always been a priority. We were among the first to set up shared services here 20 years ago. Today, we have the largest diabetes care franchise in India, and five of our brands are among the top 100 in the country.”

Bought Gold in Dubai Last Year? Here’s How Much You Made as Prices Soared 60%

Dubai’s gold market delivered a giant surprise in 2025, marking one of the most dramatic rallies in recent history. What started as a modest year for bullion turned into a breakout performance, with the price of 24-carat gold climbing by more than Dh200 per gram and delivering massive gains for investors, collectors and everyday residents alike.

Gold’s remarkable rally in 2025

According to market data, the price of 24K gold opened the year at Dh318 per gram on January 1, 2025 and finished the year at Dh520 per gram on December 31, a jump of roughly 63.5 percent. This means that anyone holding physical gold throughout the year saw the value of their holdings rise by more than Dh200 per gram. The 22-carat variant also saw remarkable gains, climbing from about Dh294.50 to Dh481.50 per gram, roughly a Dh187 increase, while even 21K gold rose around Dh176.75 per gram over the same period. By contrast, the newly introduced 14K gold, launched in the UAE on November 29, posted a more modest 2.3 percent gain, reflecting its lighter weight and broader affordability for everyday wear.

Why gold took off

Several economic forces came together in 2025 to fuel this dramatic upswing. Given the safe-haven demand, global investors and central banks including those in the Gulf, shifted capital into gold as a hedge against market uncertainty and geopolitical risk, a pattern seen throughout 2025. According to reports, gold’s rally in 2025 was the strongest annual performance since the late 1970s, with prices soaring nearly 70 percent globally.

Dubai Gold Shock: 24K Prices Jump Over Dh200 Per Gram in One Year. Are You Sitting on a Fortune?

Interest rate dynamics with expectations of lower US Federal Reserve interest rates and the appeal of non-yielding assets helped lift gold’s allure. Lower real yields often make gold more attractive relative to bonds and other financial instruments. The Central Bank of the UAE increased its gold holdings significantly in 2025, growing reserves by about 26 percent to nearly $7.9 billion as global economic uncertainty persisted, a historic move that underscored gold’s strategic value. These factors combined to create a strong backdrop for prices, pushing bullion sharply higher even as other asset classes posted uneven returns.

Impact on Dubai and the Gulf region

For residents and investors in Dubai, long accustomed to the Gold Souk’s bustling trade and precious-metal culture, the surge translated into real-world gains. Retail buyers saw both jewellery and bullion values climb, lifting the wealth of long-term holders. With 24K gold prices consistently near or above Dh520 per gram in late December and into early 2026, bullion became a focal point for investment as much as adornment. At the same time, short-term volatility such as a near Dh18 drop in just one day toward the end of the year due to profit-booking in global markets, reflected how active trading and profit-taking can influence local UAE prices even amid a strong overall rally. Jewellers and bullion dealers across Dubai’s famous Gold Souk and regional markets noted the heightened interest, particularly from expatriate buyers and Middle Eastern investors seeking to protect wealth in an uncertain macroeconomic environment. The UAE’s competitive pricing environment, where making charges and taxes are relatively low, further incentivises local and international buyers alike.

Global gold context: Safe haven, surging demand

Dubai’s gold price story fits into a broader global trend. Precious metals surged worldwide in 2025 as investors raced toward safe havens amid geopolitical unrest and economic concerns. Gold topped record levels over $4,300 per ounce internationally, one of the metal’s best annual performances in decades.

Gold Made Dubai Richer in 2025: Why Prices Exploded and What It Means for 2026

Analysts and major institutions such as Deutsche Bank and Goldman Sachs forecast continued strength through 2026 and beyond, with projections ranging from $4,000 to over $4,900 per ounce by year-end, supported by sustained central bank buying and geopolitical tension. This global backdrop helped lift sentiment in Dubai and the broader Gulf, where gold remains culturally and economically significant.

What’s ahead for gold in 2026?

After a spectacular run in 2025, markets are closely watching how 2026 unfolds. Early data suggests that gold prices continued to hold near high levels in early January 2026, even after slight profit-taking in global markets. Forecasts by international analysts suggest continued upside potential if geopolitical risks and safe-haven demand remain strong. For Gulf investors, this means that gold remains a key hedge and wealth preserver, not just a jewellery purchase.

Bottom line: A golden year that redefined markets

Dubai’s gold surge in 2025, with 24K climbing more than 60 percent, marked a rare standout year for precious metals. From record price gains to heightened global demand and strong central bank involvement, gold’s rally reflected broader economic and geopolitical forces at play. As 2026 begins, many investors and analysts see bullion continuing to play a central role as a store of value, especially in a world marked by uncertainty and shifting financial landscapes.

KOLKATA: Sunday marked two months of the SIR rollout in Bengal as people struggle to get back something as basic as their voting right amid confusion among officials over which documents are kosher, multiple orders from Election Commission, flip-flops, and innumerable goof-ups.The chaotic drive led CM Mamata Banerjee to write on Saturday to chief election commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar to either “rectify glitches” or halt the “unplanned, arbitrary and ad-hoc” SIR of electoral rolls.Banerjee asked the CEC why Bengal was being “singled out” for “arbitrary and illegal” voter deletions. This was her fourth letter to Kumar since SIR began. Jayanti Devi (80) was one face of the confusion. Laden with a bag of medicines and documents, she stood clueless outside an SIR hearing camp at Chetla Boys’ High School in Kolkata Sunday. She was asked to come for a second hearing with an old ration card or her parents’ documents. “I cannot hear or see properly. I can hardly walk… I don’t have many documents, but I have a voter card. I have always cast my vote. Now they are saying there is a problem,” she said.Jayanti’s son said they had not been told of the EC order that voters aged 85 or more, as well as those who are sick or disabled, will not be called to such hearings. “They (EC officials) did come, but only to inform us about the hearing date. My parents moved to Chetla in 1967. She has been voting here since,” he said.At Kalighat High School, Sister John Paul of the Missionaries of Charity had to appear for a hearing for putting Sister Nirmala in the column for her “parent’s name” – the standard practice among all such orders and one acknowledged by EC.A Goan, Sister Paul came to Bengal in 2002 – the reference year for SIR in Bengal. In 2006, she had her voter and Aadhaar cards made and Sister Nirmala, then superior general of missionaries of charity, was named her guardian in the documents. “I did not have my birth certificate with me. My sister sent it to me. It’s absolute chaos,” the 46-year-old said. Around 10 nuns of the order have received hearing notices.Roma Samanta, a voter in Kolkata’s Rashbehari, got a hearing notice as her name was mixed up with a namesake from Kaliaganj in North Dinajpur district, over 400km away. “We have been living here for 30 years… Our BLO told us to write a letter to the CEO. We have come to submit that,” Samanta’s husband said.In her letter to the CEC, the CM highlighted some of these hassles. “Family register, extensively accepted as valid proof of identity during the SIR exercise in Bihar, is now reportedly being denied… such selective and unexplained exclusion of a previously accepted document raises serious concerns of discrimination and arbitrariness,” Banerjee wrote.The CM claimed residence/domicile certificates issued by state authorities were also being rejected. Calling EC insensitive, CM said even the “elderly, infirm, and seriously ill citizens are not being spared”. “Many electors are being compelled to travel 20-25km to attend hearings, which have inexplicably been centralised rather than decentralised,” she wrote.Amid the outcry, the poll panel announced 160 more SIR hearing centres, mostly in north Bengal. The new centres will be set up keeping in mind geographical constraints and distance for voters, EC officials said.

KULLU: One of the three accused women students in the alleged ragging and sexual harassment case at Dharamshala Govt college, in which their 19-year-old classmate died last month on December 26, denied all charges. In a video posted on social media, she claimed that neither of them was involved in ragging nor had witnessed any such harassment occurring in the college.“We were all classmates in BA first year. How is it possible that we ragged our own classmate? Also, we all belong to the Scheduled Caste community and can’t possibly harass someone who belongs to the same caste as we do. I am so puzzled and can’t understand why such allegations were made against me,” the student stated in the video. “We were told by a student that a third-year student ragged her. But that was it, and there was no proof. We knew nothing more than that,” she added.The student further alleged that the deceased was scared of her father, as he was “very strict”. In the video, she also supported the accused associate professor, saying he was innocent and had never made the victim feel uncomfortable.The teachers of the college also came out in support of the associate professor, who was suspended Saturday, two days after a police case was registered against him and the three women students. In a statement, the teachers claimed that the accused professor had an “unblemished record and impeccable integrity” and, as far as “the casteist allegations are concerned, the teacher himself belongs to the OBC category and the claims seem to be far from the truth.“Acting on the complaint filed by the deceased student’s father, police registered a case against the accused associate professor and three women students under BNS Sections 75 (sexual harassment), 115(2) (causing hurt), and 3(5) (common intention), and Section 3 of Himachal Pradesh Educational Institution (Prohibition of) Ragging Act 2009.