Even after the release of ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’, an earlier controversy linked to Ranveer Singh continues to follow the actor. Last year, when Ranveer imitated the Daiva (Bhoota Kola) ritual—associated with Rishab Shetty’s ‘Kantara Chapter 1’, it drew criticism from sections of the public who felt their religious sentiments were hurt.Ranveer Singh has reportedly told the Karnataka High Court that he is willing to submit an affidavit offering an unconditional apology for his actions. He also expressed readiness to visit the Chamundi temple, in line with the court’s directions.The statement was made during the hearing of his petition seeking to quash the FIR filed against him in the case. During the proceedings, the High Court orally observed that what the actor did (the imitation) was not correct.For those not in the know, earlier Ranveer had approached the Karnataka High Court, challenging the case registered against him over his mimicry of a character from Kantara: Chapter 1. The controversy stems from his imitation of the Chamundi daiva, which drew criticism for allegedly hurting religious sentiments.During the hearing, Justice M Nagaprasanna made strong oral observations about the responsibilities that come with stardom. “A superstar is not ‘ooper’ (above) law. You have no right to hurt the sentiments of people. You, being an actor, have influence on people. Being a superstar, you have to be responsible in making statements. You cannot be loose-tongued at all,” he remarked.Senior advocate Sajan Poovayya, representing Ranveer, argued that the actor had already acknowledged his mistake and apologised promptly. He stated that the remark was insensitive and made in poor judgment, adding that the magistrate’s order lacked proper application of mind.Responding to this, Justice Nagaprasanna underscored the lasting impact of public statements, saying, “I may forget, you may forget, and people may forget. The internet never forgets.”Meanwhile, the complainant’s counsel criticised the actor’s actions, describing them as a “shoot and scoot” attempt, implying a careless act followed by a quick apology.Following the uproar, Ranveer had issued a public apology on social media. He wrote, “My intention was to highlight Rishab’s incredible performance in the film. Actor to actor, I know how much it takes to perform that particular scene the way he did, for which he has my utmost admiration. I have always deeply respected every culture, tradition, and belief in our country. If I’ve hurt anyone’s sentiments, I sincerely apologise.”Meanwhile, the actor is currently enjoying the massive box-office success of ‘Dhurandhar 2’

US stocks slipped on Tuesday while oil prices resumed their climb, as continuing airstrikes on Iran and fresh missile attacks across the Middle East dampened the optimism that had lifted markets a day earlier.The S&P 500 fell 0.6%, giving back nearly half of its previous session’s gain. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 363 points, or 0.8%, while the Nasdaq Composite declined 0.5%.Oil prices rose sharply amid persistent tensions. Brent crude advanced 3.5% to $103.47 per barrel after having slumped more than 10% in the previous session. Benchmark US crude also gained $2.20 to trade at $90.33 a barrel, while Brent added $1.47 to reach $101.41 in early trade, AP reported.Futures signalled a cautious start to the session. Contracts tied to both the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 fell 0.1% before the opening bell, while Nasdaq futures were largely unchanged.Markets remained volatile as military action continued. Airstrikes battered Iran’s capital and Iranian missiles and drones targeted Israel’s Tel Aviv and other sites across the region. With additional US Marines heading to the Gulf and both sides maintaining heavy barrages, concerns over the conflict’s escalation continued to weigh on investor sentiment.The latest developments came a day after US President Donald Trump said the United States had made progress in talks with Iran to end hostilities. He had also extended his deadline for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route whose disruption has pushed up fuel prices and threatened economic stability.Iran, however, denied that negotiations had taken place. Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said on social media platform X that “fakenews is used to manipulate the financial and oil markets”.Despite the uncertainty, some analysts saw tentative signs of progress. “Still, while there’s clearly a long way to go until some sort of ceasefire is agreed, and peace restored, we do at least seem to have taken the first step towards those ends,” said Michael Brown, senior research strategist at Pepperstone.Global markets showed mixed trends. In Europe, France’s CAC 40 rose 0.4% to 7,759.97 in early trade, while Germany’s DAX edged up 0.2% to 22,695.54. Britain’s FTSE 100 was largely flat at 9,899.12.Asian equities rebounded more strongly. Japan’s Nikkei 225 gained 1.4% to close at 52,252.28 after earlier losses, while South Korea’s Kospi surged 2.7% to 5,553.92. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng jumped 2.8% to 25,063.71 and China’s Shanghai Composite added 1.8% to end at 3,881.28. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.2% to 8,379.40.Investors continued to track developments around the Strait of Hormuz, whose disruption has rattled global energy supply chains. The conflict, which began in late February, has driven sharp swings in financial markets, particularly in Asia where economies are highly dependent on energy shipments through the route.In corporate developments, Estee Lauder and Spanish cosmetics firm Puig confirmed they are in merger talks that could bring together brands such as MAC, Clinique, Charlotte Tilbury and Apivita. Estee Lauder said no final decision had been taken, and its shares were little changed in premarket trading.Separately, Toyota Motor Corp.’s shares rose 0.6% after the automaker announced a $1 billion investment in its Kentucky and Indiana plants. The move is part of a broader plan unveiled in November to invest up to $10 billion in the US over the next five years, as Japanese manufacturers seek to underline their contribution to American employment and economic growth.Markets are expected to remain sensitive to geopolitical developments, particularly any signals on ceasefire prospects, energy supply disruptions and oil price movements in the coming sessions.

In a recent Instagram video, James personally guides viewers through the unique features of his custom-built Maybach, highlighting both exterior and interior refinements. The vehicle boasts a rare light ivory exterior, contrasted by dark blue leather, along with personalised touches such as the custom logo. The S-Class combines opulent interiors with a powerful V12 engine, making it a standout addition to James’ growing collection of high-end vehicles.

LeBron James’ Mercedes-Maybach S-Class: Exterior and custom interior

The light ivory shade is non-metallic. Most S-Class models go for glossy finishes or bolder colours, but James chose restraint. He mentions in the Instagram video that this shade was deliberate.Inside, the cabin tells a different story with stormy blue leather stitched in porcelain, creating a rich, textured contrast to the pale exterior. The materials appear soft to the touch and well-placed throughout. James walks viewers through these details, highlighting the subtle craftsmanship. He also points out embossed and embroidered crown logos on the headrests and door panels.

LeBron James’ Mercedes-Maybach S-Class highlights customised features

A few details make the car even more unique. There’s a “1 OF 1” plaque on the inside, signalling its exclusivity. The door sills carry the birthdays of James’ children giving the personal dimension. Experts say these details are what separate a truly bespoke build from a factory-customised one.Even with all the custom touches, the Maybach remains focused on comfort. The executive rear seats come with massage functions and plenty of space, emphasising passenger experience over driving thrill. According to the official website, the base S 680 starts at roughly $244,000 in the US.

Mercedes-Maybach S-Class other key details

The 2026 Mercedes-Maybach S 680 4MATIC is a full-size luxury sedan powered by a handcrafted 6.0-litre V12 biturbo engine producing 621 hp and 664 lb‑ft of torque, paired with a 9-speed 9G‑TRONIC automatic transmission and 4MATIC all-wheel drive. It accelerates from 0–60 mph in 4.3 seconds and has a curb weight of 5,214 lbs. Fuel economy is estimated at 12 mpg city and 20 mpg highway, with a 20.1-gallon fuel capacity. The vehicle seats five passengers with generous interior dimensions, offering up to 49.1 in of rear legroom and 12.3 cu ft of cargo space. Its adaptive, self-leveling AIRMATIC suspension complements a 133.7‑inch wheelbase, while the exterior features a range of standard and MANUFAKTUR paint options, including metallic and matte finishes. The sedan rides on 20‑inch Maybach Exclusive Forged wheels with all-season tires, balancing performance with comfort.

Aditya Dhar’s spy thriller storms box office with Ranveer Singh, Arjun Rampal. Bimal Oberoi, actor-producer (PK, Tiger 3), plays radical leader inspired by Maulana Shirani & Akbar Bugti. Short but powerful role adds tension.

Directed by Aditya Dhar, the spy thriller ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’ is storming the box office right now. It has propelled its full cast to stardom, including leads like Ranveer Singh, Arjun Rampal, and R. Madhavan. Even the supporting roles shine brightly, such as Shirani Ahmed Baloch, brought to life by actor-producer Bimal Oberoi, who delivers a memorable performance.Dhurandhar 2 Movie Review

Bimal Oberoi as actor and producer

As reported in AajTak, Bimal Oberoi is known as both an actor and a producer. He brings depth to the role through his performance. He was involved in the production of the film ‘PK’. He has also taken on key roles in ‘Tiger 3’, ‘Panipat’, ‘Bard of Blood’, and ‘Mukhbir: The Story of a Spy’. Additionally, Bimal produced the Akshay Kumar starrer ‘Singh Is Kinng’.

Bimal Oberoi’s industry respect

Lacking the hype of big-screen icons, Bimal earns quiet acclaim in film circles for his dedication. In ‘Dhurandhar’, he demonstrates a supporting character’s power to boost the entire story. His role specifically mirrors Maulana Muhammad Khan Shirani from history.

Maulana Muhammad Khan Shirani profile

Maulana Muhammad Khan Shirani, a Pakistani Islamic scholar and political leader often linked to radical ideologies, was connected to Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI). He emerged as a prominent figure in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region. Expelled from the party in 2020, he established his own outfit, JUI-Shirani. Last year, at age 92, he drew attention for his second marriage.

Shirani Ahmed inspired by Akbar Bugti

Reports indicate Shirani Ahmed’s role pulls major cues from Akbar Bugti, who shifted from system insider to champion of Balochistan’s push for autonomy, resources, and justice. Slain amid Pervez Musharraf’s rule, he became a rallying symbol of defiance. The film fictionalizes him, yet stays anchored in genuine historical events.

Shirani Baloch‘s terror network role

In the film, Shirani Baloch links to Pakistan’s terror groups. The character shows the mindset of people who support terrorism. Shown as a powerful and scary leader who controls local networks and radical teams, Shirani’s short role still builds excitement and suspense in the story.

Benchmark stock indices Sensex and Nifty surged nearly 2 per cent on Tuesday, tracking gains in Asian markets after US President Donald Trump announced a temporary halt on strikes targeting Iranian energy infrastructure.The 30-share BSE Sensex jumped 1,372.06 points, or 1.89 per cent, to close at 74,068.45. During the session, it rallied as much as 1,793 points, or 2.46 per cent, to touch 74,489.39.The 50-share NSE Nifty advanced 399.75 points, or 1.78 per cent, to settle at 22,912.40.

Nifty50 top gainers

Nifty50 top losers

BSE Sensex top gainers

BSE Sensex top losers

Trump said on social media that he had extended the deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz –a strategically important shipping route between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman and would hold off strikes on Iranian energy facilities for five days.“Indian equities witnessed a constructive rebound, with markets closing on a positive note after the sharp sell-off in the previous session. The recovery was largely driven by a moderation in risk perception, as early signs of potential de-escalation in the ongoing US–Iran tensions helped restore some investor confidence,” said Hariprasad K, Research Analyst and Founder, Livelong Wealth, PTI quoted.He added that the rally should be viewed in context.“After a sharp, sentiment-driven correction, such rebounds are not uncommon and often reflect a combination of short covering and value buying. Investors typically use such dislocations to accumulate quality stocks at relatively attractive valuations, rather than it being a signal of a structural trend reversal,” Hariprasad said.Asian markets ended sharply higher, with South Korea’s Kospi, Japan’s Nikkei 225, Shanghai’s SSE Composite and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng posting gains.European markets were trading mostly lower, while US equities had ended higher on Monday.“The domestic market witnessed a relief rally following a temporary pause in attacks on Iran’s energy infrastructure, which could lead to further leeway in easing West Asia-related tensions. However, caution persists as investors await greater clarity on developments around the Strait of Hormuz,” said Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Investments Limited.Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, rose 1.96 per cent to $101.9 per barrel.Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) sold equities worth Rs 10,414.23 crore on Monday, according to exchange data. Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs), however, purchased shares worth Rs 12,033.97 crore.

Asiya Andrabi (extreme right) and her three young students. (TOI file photo)

NEW DELHI: A Delhi court on Tuesday sentenced Kashmiri separatist and Dukhtaran-e-Millat chief Asiya Andrabi to life imprisonment in an Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) case.Her two associates, Fehmeeda and Nasreen, were sentenced to 30 years in prison in the same case.On January 14, Andrabi, Sofi Fehmeeda and Nahida Nasreen were convicted under Sections 20, 38 and 39 of the UAPA.The three were also convicted under IPC sections 153 A (promoting enmity between different groups), 153B (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration), 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) and 121A (conspiracy to commit offences against the State), reported PTI.Additional Sessions Judge Chander Jit Singh pronounced the sentence after hearing arguments on the quantum of sentence.The National Investigation Agency, following the conviction, sought life imprisonment for Andrabi, saying she had waged war against India and that “a stern message was required to be sent that conspiring against the State would invite the harshest penalty.”According to her interrogation report accessed by The Times of India, Andrabi told investigators she was in regular touch with former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif and often spoke to his foreign policy adviser Sartaz Aziz. The report said Andrabi also spoke about her contacts with officials at the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi, former ISI chief Hamid Gul, and UN-designated global terrorists Hafiz Saeed and Syed Salahuddin in connection with discussions on Kashmir. According to the report, Andrabi told the NIA that she had written to Nawaz Sharif in 2014, saying “Pakistan is not doing anything for Kashmir”. She said Sharif replied, “We are doing our best”. It also said that after her mother’s death on November 28, 2015, Sharif sent her a condolence letter by post. During meetings at the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi in 2014 with Sartaz Aziz, then Pakistan high commissioner Abdul Basit and deputy high commissioner Syed Haidar Shah, Andrabi allegedly told them that “Pakistan was taking Kashmir issue casually”. She was told by Pakistani officials that a Kashmir Committee in Pakistan was handling the matter, the report said. The report further said Andrabi remained in regular contact with Hafiz Saeed and asked him to “pressure Pakistan government”. She also spoke to him around the time of the death of his wife, Umi Talha, and later after the death of his nephew Abdul Rehman Makki. According to the interrogation report, Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin also regularly called Andrabi, and she asked him to persuade the Pakistan government to raise the Kashmir issue at the United Nations.

The petroleum sector has urged industry stakeholders to explore ethanol as a clean cooking fuel for households, as part of broader efforts to reduce India’s dependence on imported LPG and expand the biofuel ecosystem.R S Ravi, Director (Downstream) at the Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry (FIPI), raised the proposal while addressing the All India Distillers’ Association conference, pointing to ongoing research on ethanol-based cooking stoves, PTI reported.He said that “a lot of work is happening” at institutions such as the LPG Equipment Research Centre and several IITs to design efficient, ethanol-compatible stoves, with prototypes expected to be ready soon.Ravi called on the distillery industry to support the initiative by partnering with manufacturers to scale up stove production and by helping develop an effective supply chain that can deliver ethanol directly to households.“This is a different ballgame. As of now, the way you are supporting the oil industry is by supplying bulk… It needs to change,” he said.“How this supply chain is going to be developed, what form it needs to be delivered, the form factor is very critical.”He further added, “Can AIDA come forward and give us ideas in terms of how we make this ethanol as a cooking fuel possible in India?”The suggestion comes at a time when India has already rolled out 20 per cent ethanol blending in petrol. Ravi credited the distillery sector for enabling the programme and referred to a recent government notification mandating the sale of E20 petrol with a minimum Research Octane Number of 95 from April 1, 2026.The move towards higher-octane E20 fuel is expected to improve vehicle performance and efficiency while addressing concerns related to lower-octane blends.Ravi also urged the ethanol industry to speed up production of isobutanol for diesel blending and prepare for ethanol-to-sustainable aviation fuel pathways, though he stressed that the cooking fuel initiative should receive priority attention.Research bodies are already examining ethanol stoves as a cleaner alternative that could complement or partly replace LPG, particularly in rural and semi-urban regions.He noted that shifting ethanol from bulk industrial supply to household distribution would require new logistics models, suitable packaging formats and reliable last-mile delivery systems.India has been aggressively promoting ethanol blending to cut crude oil imports, conserve foreign exchange, reduce emissions and support farmers. Expanding ethanol use to cooking fuel could further diversify demand and strengthen energy security.Ravi emphasised the need for coordinated efforts between the oil industry and distillers to make ethanol-based cooking a viable option in the country.