Acclaimed cinematographer Pratik Shah, recognized for his work on films such as Jubilee, CTRL, and the Cannes-premiered Homebound, faces mounting allegations of emotional abuse and manipulation. The revelations, initiated by filmmaker Abhinav Singh, have emboldened nearly 20 women to share similar experiences, prompting widespread outrage. The controversy underscores the film industry’s persistent struggle to address misconduct behind the scenes while maintaining a façade of empathy onscreen.

Actor Rakul Preet Singh offered a candid perspective on the recent social media buzz surrounding Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli liking a fan post featuring actress Avneet Kaur. Speaking on Shubhankar Mishra’s podcast, Rakul dismissed the intense public fixation on the incident as trivial and symptomatic of an overly intrusive celebrity culture. She praised Virat and Anushka Sharma as a role model couple while highlighting the unnecessary magnification of minor social media actions.

The much-anticipated trailer for Maa, starring Kajol and directed by Vishal Furia of the Chhorri franchise, premiered today, offering a gripping fusion of Bengali folklore and maternal devotion. Set against a foreboding forest backdrop, the film explores a mother’s relentless fight to protect her daughter from supernatural forces. Produced by Ajay Devgn and Jyoti Deshpande, Maa evokes themes familiar to Furia’s previous works while hinting at connections to Devgn’s Shaitaan, potentially expanding a dark cinematic universe.

Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL), the hospitality arm of the Tata Group, has announced the addition of a new Gateway-branded property in the spiritually significant town of Nathdwara, Rajasthan. The 101-key hotel reflects IHCL’s strategic emphasis on expanding its presence in religious and cultural destinations across India. This latest signing strengthens IHCL’s footprint in Rajasthan, bringing the company’s total to 31 hotels in the state, including eight currently under development.

Almondz Global Securities reported a steady rise in its consolidated net profit for the fourth quarter of FY2024–25, buoyed by solid performances across its infrastructure consulting, green energy, and financial services segments. The company posted a net profit of Rs. 6.15 crore, reflecting a 2.5 percent increase over the same period last year. Operating income surged 14.85 percent year-on-year for the March quarter and nearly 26 percent for the full fiscal year, reaching Rs. 151.36 crore.

Despite mounting global economic uncertainty, chief economists worldwide remain most optimistic about South Asia’s growth prospects, with India positioned as the region’s principal driver in 2025 and 2026, according to the World Economic Forum’s latest Chief Economists Outlook. The report highlights India’s projected GDP growth of over 6% and underscores the region’s resilience even amid geopolitical tensions and inflationary pressures.

Indian actress Surveen Chawla has once again shed light on the ongoing challenges faced by women in the entertainment sector, sharing her personal encounters with the casting couch and discriminatory treatment based on physical appearance. Chawla recounted incidents involving inappropriate advances by directors—some occurring even after her marriage—as well as troubling experiences in the South Indian film industry.

Nothing is preparing to unveil its much-anticipated Phone (3), with an official release likely in July 2025. As the company teases the upcoming launch, it has introduced substantial discounts on the existing Phone (2), creating a compelling opportunity for budget-conscious consumers. Amazon India is offering a 40% markdown on the Phone (2), along with additional coupon and bank discounts, bringing the effective price down to Rs. 27,247 — the lowest to date. This move underscores Nothing’s strategic effort to clear inventory and generate excitement around its next-generation device.

In a tale that fuses martial arts nostalgia with fresh lessons in personal finance, a young man’s journey of self-discovery and resilience offers a surprisingly apt metaphor for building a robust investment portfolio. As Xiao Li grapples with bullies and his own fears, he embodies the principles of adaptability and continuous learning—principles that serve investors well.

Alternative credit platform BlackSoil has reported a significant expansion in its supply chain finance (SCF) operations, nearly doubling its SCF book to Rs. 350 crore in the financial year 2024–25. Driven by strong credit demand across agriculture, fintech, and FMCG sectors, the firm also saw its assets under management rise by 30 percent year-on-year to Rs. 1,750 crore. Supporting 98 companies and deploying over Rs.