Author: Ankita Singh

Actor Adivi Sesh is all set for the dual Hindi-Telugu teaser launches across Hyderabad and Mumbai on December 18, which he has affectionately dubbed as the “Day of Dacoit.”

A Personal Milestone

Sesh expressed, “December 18 truly feels like the Day of Dacoit for me. This film has been a long, emotional journey, one that I’ve been deeply involved in from the very beginning.”

He acknowledges the challenge of launching the teaser in two cities on the same day. “Launching the teaser in Mumbai and Hyderabad on the same day is hectic, but it reflects how strongly I feel about this project,” he added.

About the Film

Talking about the film, he said: “Dacoit is not just an action film; it carries emotion, conflict, and a vision that I want audiences in both Hindi and Telugu to experience together.”

The film also stars Mrunal Thakur and Anurag Kashyap in a formidable role, along with Prakash Raj, Sunil, Atul Kulkarni, Zayn Marie Khan, and Kamakshi Bhaskarla.

Plot Overview

“Dacoit” follows the journey of an angry convict determined to seek revenge on his ex-girlfriend, who betrayed him. As he devises a dangerous plan to trap her, the plot evolves into an emotionally intense tale of love, betrayal, and vengeance.

Shot simultaneously in Hindi and Telugu, the film’s story and screenplay are co-created by Adivi Sesh and Shaneil Deo. Currently in post-production, Dacoit is preparing for a grand pan-India release.

Upcoming Projects

Sesh has established himself as a leading man with notable performances in commercial and critical hits like Dongaata, Kshanam, Ami Thumi, Goodachari, Evaru, Major, and HIT: The Second Case.

Additionally, he will appear in “G2,” an upcoming Telugu-language action spy thriller directed by Vinay Kumar Sirigineedi in his directorial debut. This film is a sequel to Goodachari, with Adivi Sesh reprising his role alongside Emraan Hashmi, Wamiqa Gabbi, and Madhu Shalini.

Filmmaker Milap Zaveri has penned a heartfelt birthday note for actor John Abraham, affectionately calling him his “Hulk” and recognizing him as the pivotal figure in his career revival with the film “Satyameva Jayate,” released in 2018.

Milap shared a nostalgic picture on Instagram featuring a warm embrace between him and John, both sporting smiles for the camera. Celebrating John’s 53rd birthday, Milap expressed profound gratitude, stating that John had “resurrected” him.

“Dear @thejohnabraham, wish you a very very happy birthday! You are my Hulk and the man who resurrected me with #SatyamevaJayate,” read Milap’s caption.

In his emotional message, he described John as a remarkable combination of strength and kindness, noting that he can “rip tyres with his bare hands” while possessing a heart of gold. Milap remarked, “I will forever be grateful to you! You rip tyres with your bare hands but your heart is of gold! Love you, my Hero.”

About “Satyameva Jayate”

“Satyameva Jayate” is a vigilante action thriller directed by Milap Zaveri, featuring John Abraham and Manoj Bajpayee in their second collaboration after “Shootout at Wadala.” The film also stars Aisha Sharma, Amruta Khanvilkar, and Manish Chaudhari. It follows DCP Shivansh, who is tasked with apprehending the individual responsible for the deaths of corrupt police officers, unaware that the killer is his younger brother, Vir.

Milap’s Latest Project

Milap’s latest directorial venture, “Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat,” showcases Harshvardhan Rane and Sonam Bajwa. The film became a significant commercial hit, ranking as the 12th highest-grossing Hindi film of 2025. The narrative revolves around Vikramaditya Bhonsle, a powerful politician whose obsession with film actress Adaa Randhawa spirals into a dangerous fixation, leading to an inevitable clash of power, fear, and desire.

John Abraham’s Recent Work

Recently, John was seen in “Tehran,” a spy action thriller directed by Arun Gopalan. The film features John Abraham, Neeru Bajwa, and Manushi Chhillar and is based on the 2012 attacks on Israeli diplomats.

Actress Preity Zinta is the latest celebrity to express admiration for Aditya Dhar’s “Dhurandhar.”

The ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho’ star shared that the Ranveer Singh-starrer is one of the best films she has seen in a long time.

Exciting Theatre Experience

Lauding the impressive cast of the spy thriller, she posted on her X (formerly known as Twitter), “Today was a fun day. After a long time I saw a movie in a theatre by myself. The afternoon show was packed & WOW what a ride it was! It’s probably one of the best films I have seen in a long time. Raw & real, adorned with flawless performances by @RanveerOfficial, Akshaye, @duttsanjay, @ActorMadhavan, @rampalarjun, Sara Arjun, @bolbedibol, @gauravgera and every other actor. (sic)”

A Love Letter to Patriots

Preity highlighted Aditya Dhar’s effort in creating a love letter through “Dhurandhar” for every patriot who has gone above and beyond to protect the nation. She emphasized, “Loved the soulful n heart-thumping music & most of all LOVED the direction by @AdityaDharFilms. So hard and yet, with so much heart. This is not a film. It’s a love letter to every Unknown Man, Woman & Patriot who has stood in harm’s way to protect our country.”

Eager for a Personal Conversation

The ‘Veer-Zaara’ actress expressed her desire to congratulate Dhar on this cinematic masterpiece over a call. “3 and a half hours went by in a blink and I’m already ready to see it again. Aditya Dhar I have no words! When I do I will call you and tell you how I feel & how much I loved this masterpiece.”

In closing, she urged everyone to experience the film, stating, “Till then all I wanna say is don’t miss it folks! Go check it out. A big shout out to the cast n crew for bringing this masterpiece alive.”

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan recently halted the shoot of his quiz-based reality show “Kaun Banega Crorepati” when a contestant’s husband, who was with her, suddenly fell ill.

The legendary actor expressed his thoughts on his blog, explaining that filming stopped as soon as the contestant reached the hot seat. Although the medical situation was under control, he believed it was not ethical to continue the game under those circumstances.

He detailed his decision in his blog: “.. then had to do 3 episodes .. one earlier I stopped as soon as the contestant came on the hot seat, because her husband as companion got unwell .. was ok .. but I felt it would not be ethical to continue the game with the wife when her husband is not feeling good .. it would be playing on her mind and she would not be able to concentrate on the game..(sic).”

The octogenarian actor conveyed his decision to the production team and recommended rescheduling the shoot to allow the contestant’s husband some time to recover.

Despite the broadcast constraints, Bachchan was willing to put in extra hours, agreeing to shoot three episodes in a single day instead of the usual two.

“I told Production I shall shoot another day, give time for the Husband to recover, even if it means, due to broadcast constraints – to work extra and do 3 episodes instead of the regular 2 per day (sic),” he noted.

Currently, Bachchan is hosting the new season of Kaun Banega Crorepati, which is the official Hindi adaptation of the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? franchise. Contestants on the show answer multiple-choice questions, selecting the correct answer from four options, with lifelines available for uncertain moments. The show airs on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV.

Actress Rashmika Mandanna recently took a breather from her hectic schedule to enjoy a delightful two-day girls’ trip to Sri Lanka with her close friends.

Sharing snippets of her fun getaway on social media, the ‘The Girlfriend’ actress expressed her excitement: “I recently got 2 days off and I got this opportunity to get away with my girls and we went to this BEAUTIFUL property in Sri Lanka..GIRL TRIPS – doesn’t matter how short, they are THE BEST!! MY GIRLS are THE BEST! Some are missing but THEY ARE THE BEST!! (sic)”

This trip comes amid swirling rumors about Rashmika’s potential wedding to her ‘Dear Comrade’ co-star Vijay Deverakonda next year, leading many to speculate that her Sri Lankan vacation could be a Bachelorette trip.

Despite the buzz, neither Rashmika nor Vijay Deverakonda has confirmed any wedding plans thus far.

In a separate reflection, Rashmika recently shared her thoughts on the true essence of feminine energy and its importance in life. Emphasizing the need for women to support one another, the ‘Pushpa’ actress wrote on Instagram: “There is something so magical about women holding other women… women healing women… women listening to each other with just that gentle ‘I’m here’ energy (red heart emoji).”

She added, “It took me sooo long to understand it… but now that I have, I’ll protect it with everything I’ve got. (red heart emojis) Feminine energy is not weak… It’s soft, yes… but it’s strong, intuitive, protective, and full of love (red heart emoji). And when women come together with that kind of energy… gosh… it’s unstoppable (red heart emoji). I’ve been seeing a lot of you share it.. (red heart emoji) but for the ones who haven’t – I hope you have it… or I hope you find it! and I hope you are it!! (red heart emoji),” concluded the actress known for her role in ‘Animal’.

Filmmaker Karan Johar is thrilled after his film “Homebound,” featuring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor, secured a spot on the shortlist for the 98th Academy Awards in the ‘Best International Feature Film’ category.

Emotional Gratitude

In a heartfelt message on social media, Karan Johar thanked director Neeraj Ghaywan, stating, “I am not sure I can articulate how proud, elated and over the moon I am with the journey of #HOMEBOUND… all of us @dharmamovies are privileged to have this proud and important film in our filmography.”

He continued, “Thank you @neeraj.ghaywan for making so many dreams of ours come true… from Cannes to being on the Oscar shortlist this has been such an overwhelming journey! Love to the entire cast and crew and teams of this special special film!!!!!!!!! Upwards and onwards… #HOMEBOUND streaming now on @netflix_in.”

Director’s Appreciation

Neeraj Ghaywan also shared his excitement, tweeting, “#Homebound has been shortlisted for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards! @TheAcademy We’re deeply grateful for the extraordinary love and support we’ve received from around the world.”

Academy Announcement

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the shortlisted films across 12 categories, which include ‘Animated Short Film’, ‘Casting’, ‘Cinematography’, ‘Documentary Feature Film’, ‘Documentary Short Film’, ‘International Feature Film’, ‘Live Action Short Film’, ‘Makeup and Hairstyling’, ‘Music’ (Original Score), ‘Music’ (Original Song), ‘Sound’, and ‘Visual Effects’.

“Homebound” will compete for the ‘Best International Feature Film’ alongside impressive entries such as Argentina’s “Belen”, Brazil’s “The Secret Agent”, France’s “It Was Just an Accident”, and many more.

Looking Ahead

The final nominees in all categories will be announced on January 22, 2026. The 98th Academy Awards are scheduled for March 15, 2026, with comedian Conan O’Brien returning as the host.

Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan has expressed his desire to attend the Kumbh Mela. The actor was present at a painting exhibition themed around the Kumbh Mela at the Jehangir Art Gallery in Mumbai.

During the event, Aamir was asked about the Kumbh Mela and whether he would like to visit this cultural and religious gathering. His response was enthusiastic: “Yes, I would love to. I would actually love it.”

What is Kumbh Mela?

Kumbh Mela is one of the world’s largest and most ancient religious gatherings, deeply rooted in Hindu tradition. It takes place periodically at four sacred locations: Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain. The event signifies a spiritual convergence of faith, ritual, and community.

• The festival is anchored in the belief that drops of amrit (nectar of immortality) fell at these sites during a cosmic struggle between gods and demons, thereby sanctifying the rivers.
• At the core of Kumbh Mela is the ritual shahi snan (royal bath), where millions of devotees immerse themselves in the river, believing it cleanses sins and liberates the soul from the cycle of rebirth.

The procession of akharas, which are ascetic orders led by naked Naga sadhus, saints, and monks, adds powerful visual and spiritual intensity to this grand event. Beyond the ritual bathing, the mela operates as a vast spiritual university, hosting discourses, debates, yoga sessions, and philosophical exchanges.

Despite its ancient origins, Kumbh Mela stands as a remarkable example of modern governance, with temporary cities featuring roads, hospitals, sanitation systems, and security for tens of millions of attendees. This festival exemplifies India’s unique ability to blend mythology, mass faith, and logistics on an unprecedented scale, making Kumbh Mela not just a religious festival, but a living civilizational phenomenon.

Indian streamer and content creator Payal Dhare, popularly known as Payal Gaming, has become a top trend on X (formerly Twitter) today. The surge in hashtags and mentions is driven by a viral video circulating on social media platforms that claims to show the gamer in a compromising position. However, a detailed fact-check reveals that the video is fake and has been falsely attributed to her.

The Origin of the Trend

The trend began after anonymous accounts started sharing a video clip, tagging it as a “leaked MMS” or “Dubai video.” This sparked immediate speculation and mass sharing across X and Telegram, pushing “Payal Gaming” into the trending topics list in India. The sensational nature of the claim led to a rapid spread of misinformation before the content could be verified.

Major Platforms Do Not Support Unverified Content

While the video has circulated on unmoderated social media channels, credible news aggregators and platforms have refrained from hosting it. Valuable platforms like Digihunt (Dailyhunt), known for maintaining content standards, do not support or distribute such unverified and potentially harmful material. The absence of this story on reputable news applications further suggests that the content does not meet the standards of verified news.

No Official Statement from the Creator

Amidst the online chaos, there has been no official statement from Payal Dhare or her management team regarding the video. The silence from the creator’s side usually indicates a refusal to engage with baseless rumors or malicious defamation attempts.

Currently, no concrete evidence links the streamer to the footage. Experts warn that sharing such content without verification contributes to the spread of misinformation and digital harassment. Until an official confirmation or a verified forensic report is released, the video remains debunked as likely fake news.

Who is Payal Gaming (Payal Dhare)?

For those unfamiliar with the trending name, Payal Dhare is one of India’s most prominent female gaming content creators.

• Background: Born on September 18, 2000, in Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh, Payal began her streaming journey in September 2020. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree.​
• Career: She is a key member of the S8UL Esports organization and gained fame for her gameplay in titles like PUBG Mobile (BGMI) and GTA V. She made history as the first Indian female gamer to cross 3 million subscribers on YouTube.​
• Achievements: Beyond her massive online following, Payal was among a select group of Indian gamers who met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April 2024, highlighting her influence in the digital space.​
• Recognition: She has won multiple awards, including “Fan Favourite Streamer of the Year” and “Dynamic Gaming Creator of the Year”.

Social media platforms have recently been flooded with a controversial video allegedly featuring popular Indian gamer and content creator Payal Dhare, widely known as Payal Gaming. The clip, often tagged as the “Dubai MMS leak,” claims to show the streamer in a compromising situation. However, a closer analysis confirms that the video is fake and likely created using deepfake technology or involves a lookalike.

The viral footage has sparked intense discussion among fans and the gaming community. While the video was circulated widely on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Telegram, sharp-eyed viewers and fact-checkers quickly noticed discrepancies that prove the woman in the video is not Payal Dhare.

Visual Evidence Proves It’s Fake

The primary evidence debunking the video lies in distinct physical features that do not match the gamer. Specifically, the placement of a mole (til) on the face of the woman in the video is inconsistent with Payal Dhare’s actual features.

In the viral clip, the woman has a mole on her face in a position that is completely different from where Payal’s mole is located. This clear visual mismatch is a definitive sign that the video features someone else or has been digitally manipulated to resemble the popular creator.

She is trending in twitter

Video 🥵🤒#payalgaming https://t.co/Bie2HjvbCv pic.twitter.com/Wd46uOrInJ

— Tyler Durden (@TylerDurde43838) December 16, 2025

The Rise of Deepfake Harassment

This incident highlights the growing danger of AI-generated content and deepfakes being used to harass female content creators. “Deepfakes” use artificial intelligence to superimpose a person’s face onto another body with alarming realism. This technology is increasingly being weaponized to spread misinformation and damage reputations.

Fans have rallied in support of Payal Gaming, urging others not to share the unverified clip and to report accounts spreading the fake news. As of now, Payal Dhare has not issued an official legal statement regarding the specific source of the leak, but the community consensus is clear: the video is not genuine.

The upcoming episode of Indian Idol will celebrate a golden era of Hindi cinema with a special segment titled ‘Celebrating the Lady Dons,’ featuring two of Bollywood’s most iconic women, Zeenat Aman and Helen.

These legendary actresses are known for their remarkable presence and unforgettable contributions to some of Hindi cinema’s most cherished songs. They will bring a unique blend of glamour, nostalgia, and musical heritage to the stage.

Contestants will perform iconic numbers, each infusing them with their personal style and energy. This episode promises a lively dialogue between generations, showcasing the evolution of music over the decades.

Reflecting on her experience, Zeenat Aman shared, “Indian Idol blends nostalgia with bold new expression. Hearing today’s singers reinterpret iconic songs with confidence and individuality is both refreshing and emotional.”

Helen added her thoughts, praising the changing musical landscape: “Indian Idol has a beautiful way of reviving timeless songs and memories. Watching young voices bring fresh life and energy to melodies from our era is truly heartwarming.”

The episode will not only honor their timeless legacy but also demonstrate how classic songs are being reinvented by a new generation, illustrating that great music transcends eras and continues to captivate audiences in vibrant ways.

Both Zeenat Aman and Helen were trailblazers in the 1970s, known for their unique personalities and groundbreaking projects. Helen became synonymous with versatile, graceful dance performances and unforgettable charm, while Zeenat Aman earned acclaim for her bold film choices and iconic fashion sense.

Indian Idol, now in its 16th season, features star singer Shreya Ghoshal, music composer Vishal Dadlani, and singer-rapper Badshah as judges, with Aditya Narayan as the host.