The Indian Institute of Creative Technologies has entered a formal partnership with Australia’s Deakin University. The agreement was finalized at the Waves Bazaar during the International Film Festival of India. This collaboration aims to foster academic excellence and innovation within creative and technology-led education.
According to IICT CEO Vishwas Deoskar, the partnership supports their goal of developing global talent and expanding the frontiers of interactive media education. The joint activities will include academic programs, research projects, and specialized workshops. The institutions also plan to facilitate exchanges for students and faculty while engaging with industry partners.
In a separate event at the festival...
Actor Shahid Kapoor has resumed a rigorous training schedule with his former fitness instructor. A social media video depicted the actor engaged in weightlifting exercises focused on his biceps, followed by an impromptu dance to his workout music.
Kapoor’s next project is the film O' Romeo, directed by Vishal Bhardwaj. This marks their fourth collaboration, following earlier works like Kaminey and Haider. The movie, set in 1990s Mumbai, explores the criminal underworld and also stars Triptii Dimri and Nana Patekar. Production has concluded under the Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment banner. Kapoor expressed significant enthusiasm for the project and praised his co-stars for their performances.
Director Ayan Mukerji commemorated his father, Deb Mukherjee’s, birth anniversary with a social media tribute. He posted a collection of nostalgic photographs, including childhood images of himself with his father and more recent pictures of them together. One photo depicted his father at a Durga Puja event, a celebration he was known for organizing.
In his post, Mukerji expressed his affection and that he missed his father. He also shared a scanned image of a handmade birthday card he created for him as a child. Deb Mukherjee, who came from a prominent film family, was a supporting actor in movies like Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander and King Uncle. His final screen appearance was a cameo in the 2009 film Kaminey.
Actor Rohit Roy recently displayed his vocal talent by singing a classic Kishore Kumar song. He performed a segment from the track Zindagi Ke Safar Mein Guzar Jaate Jo Makam, originally featured in the film Aap Ki Kasam.
Roy explained that he sang the piece without musical backing after a filming shift, calling the melody one of his perpetual favorites. He noted that karaoke versions sometimes feel rushed and can diminish a song's emotional depth.
His informal performance drew positive reactions from colleagues. Neil Nitin Mukesh wrote that it was one of his preferred songs, while actress Sandhya Mridul encouraged Roy to continue singing, affirming that he still possessed the skill.
Punjabi musician Sukhbir is scheduled to perform in Udaipur for a lavish wedding celebration, sharing the stage with international artists Jennifer Lopez and Tiesto. He described the opportunity as an honor, adding that the city's royal ambiance would enhance the magnificent event.
The festivities are for the marriage of Netra Mantena, daughter of American billionaire Rama Raju Mantena, to Vamsi Gadiraju. The celebrations are taking place across several of Udaipur's luxury heritage properties, with the main ceremony scheduled for Jagmandir Island Palace on Lake Pichola.
The event has drawn several high-profile guests, including Donald Trump Jr., who recently arrived in the city. Pre-wedding functions have already featured performances...
Actress Utkarsha Naik has joined the television program Itti Si Khushi, portraying the role of Madhavi Bhosle. Naik explained that she immediately felt a connection to the part after reviewing the character description.
Her character is depicted as a poised and deeply traditional school teacher, a single mother whose quiet strength has profoundly influenced her son. Naik described Madhavi as a values-driven individual whose disciplined nature is balanced by an endearing, unintentional humor.
The series itself follows Anvita, a young woman played by Sumbul Touqeer Khan, who strives to keep her family united through various challenges. These difficulties include her father Suhas's struggles, a role performed by Varun Badola, and her...
Maya Hawke, the actress known for Stranger Things, expressed a desire for greater collaboration between Hollywood and Bollywood. She stated that the separation between the two major film industries has long concerned her. Hawke described Indian cinema as expansive and incredible, adding that she would feel honored to participate in a project that bridges these distinct cinematic worlds.
Separately, her co-stars from the popular series reflected on the production's use of music. Finn Wolfhard noted that the creators, the Duffer brothers, often played scores from iconic 1980s films to maintain a specific atmosphere. Caleb McLaughlin also highlighted the importance of period-specific music by artists like Cyndi Lauper and The Police...
Actress Shilpa Shetty marked her sixteenth wedding anniversary with a social media post for her husband, Raj Kundra. She described herself as still spinning in love and continuing to choose their partnership, expressing a wish for their relationship to last forever.
She accompanied her message with a humorous video. In the clip, Kundra suggested they go out to celebrate, leading Shetty to anticipate an excursion. He then simply opened their main door and spun her around just outside it, a moment that left the actress laughing and surprised.
The couple, who married in 2009 after becoming engaged that same year, are parents to two children. Their son Viaan was born in 2012, and they welcomed a daughter named Samiksha via surrogacy in 2020.
The Indian Air Force confirmed that a Tejas fighter jet crashed during an aerial display at the Dubai Air Show, resulting in the death of Wing Commander Namansh Syal. The pilot sustained fatal injuries while representing the IAF at the prominent aviation exhibition.
Expressing his sorrow, the actor and politician Kamal Haasan stated he was deeply saddened by the loss of the brave pilot. He extended his condolences to Syal's family and loved ones, noting the nation shared in their grief. This incident marks the second crash involving a Tejas aircraft.
Authorities have ordered a court of inquiry to determine the circumstances behind the accident. The event occurred as India pursued new defense partnerships, with Hindustan Aeronautics...
