Entertainment

After a successful run in the theatres, Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava is now all set to make its OTT debut.  The film will release on Netflix on April 11, the streaming giant announced on Thursday. 

In a post shared on Instagram, they wrote, “Aale Raje aale. Witness a tale of courage and glory etched in time. Watch Chhaava, out 11 April on Netflix.” 

Vicky Kaushal, in a press note, expressed his delight on Chhaava‘s OTT release. The actor said, “Playing Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was an honour beyond words and one of the most fulfilling experiences of my career.” 

He added, “His courage, resilience, and legacy are something that should reach every corner of the world. With Netflix, we’re ensuring that his story not only penetrates deeper in India, but also gets the global platform it deserves.”

Vicky Kaushal essayed the role of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj in Chhaava. The film featured Rashmika Mandanna in the role of Maharani Yesubai, while Akshaye Khanna portrayed Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. The supporting cast included Ashutosh Rana, Divya Dutta and Diana Penty in key roles. 

Last month, Chhaava entered the Rs 500 club at the domestic box office. Reacting to the news, Vicky Kaushal shared a thank you note on Instagram. The actor wrote, “What you all have given to #Chhaava goes much beyond numbers… you all have made this an emotion.”

He added, “You have taken forward the legacy of Chhatrapathi Sambhaji Maharaj and truly celebrated his glory! For this we are truly grateful to each and everyone of you. The story doesn’t end here… #CHHAAVA still in cinemas near you!” 

Chhaava is directed by Laxman Utekar and produced by Dinesh Vijan under his banner, Maddock Films. The film was released in theatres on February 14, 2025. 

A still from ‘Kaiju No. 8: Mission Recon’
| Photo Credit: Crunchyroll

Anime compilation films are practically a rite of passage at this point — a victory lap for shows still lacing up their shoes. Kaiju No. 8: Mission Recon is the latest to join this fresh tradition of turbocharged recaps, trimming the fat and slapping on a theatrical polish. This sleek speed-run through familiar territory serves as both highlight reel and recruitment pitch. Whether the impact lands or fizzles on arrival mostly depends on how invested you are (or willing to be) in the Kafka-verse.

For the uninitiated, Kaiju No. 8 is a sharp, post-kaiju-crisis action series set in a Japan that has grown numb to the sight of titanic, city-leveling behemoths stomping through its skyline. The anime imagines this world as one where disaster has become routine — bureaucratised, even. 

Our protagonist, an aging janitor of monsters, Kafka Hibino, mops up after the Anti-Kaiju Defense Force and wonders where his dreams went. At 32, Kafka is an anomaly in the shounen genre, which usually prefers its protagonists barely out of puberty and full of untapped potential. Kafka accidentally becomes a kaiju himself, thanks to an unfortunate encounter with a rogue mouthful of cosmic slime and his late-bloomer status is precisely what gives Mission Recon its emotional heft.

A still from ‘Kaiju No. 8: Mission Recon’
| Photo Credit:
Crunchyroll

Mission Recon condenses the twelve-episode first season into a zippy 90 minutes (plus a post-credits bonus episode), which means a lot of the nuance, slow character moments, and hard-earned camaraderie are sacrificed in favour of a more kinetic cinematic spectacle. What remains is the skeleton of the story: Kafka’s transformation from loveable washout to conflicted superweapon; his friendships with wide-eyed rookie Reno and haughty prodigy Kikoru; his tense, (not so) professional relationship with childhood friend and Division Captain Mina Ashiro; and, of course, a steady parade of creatively designed kaiju to punch into oblivion.

The film makes no pretense about what it is: a sleek refresher for fans gearing up for Season 2, and a potential on-ramp for the curious-but-uninitiated. And to that end, it largely delivers. The visuals — courtesy of Production I.G and Studio Khara — are where Mission Recon truly flexes its muscles. The action sequences are glorious, blending parkour-style movement with meaty, Godzilla-meets-Evangelion chaos. There’s a real sense of scale here, and it plays better on the big screen, where the contrast between Kafka’s reluctant swagger and the world-ending stakes lands with satisfying punch.

The core of the film remains Kafka himself. In a genre flooded with hot-headed teens powered by grief, grit and the “power of friendship”, Kafka stands out by simply being… tired. He’s not driven by revenge or destiny, but by the frustration and regret of a dream deferred. His transformation into a monster works as a clever metaphor for imposter syndrome —  a transformation he has to keep secret from the very organisation he yearns to join. It does give him the strength he needs but also the alienation he never asked for.

A still from ‘Kaiju No. 8: Mission Recon’
| Photo Credit:
Crunchyroll

Crucially, Mission Recon also sidesteps some of shounen anime’s more exhausted tropes. The women in Kaiju No. 8 are refreshingly competent, fully dressed, and not here to please any lewd fans frothing at the mouth. Mina, all cool composure and barely-there smirks, commands both her team and the screen with reserved authority. Kikoru, the axe-wielding wunderkind, is bratty, brilliant, and endlessly fun to watch. Their purpose in the story isn’t to prop Kafka up but to challenge him, outshine him, and occasionally save his kaiju-hide.

The odd little cherry on top is ‘Hoshina’s Day Off’ — a charming, if somewhat incongruent, detour that humanises the Defense Force’s katana-wielding second-in-command. It’s a lighthearted, almost sitcom-style detour, though its placement after the climax makes it feel more like a bonus DVD extra.

Which brings us to the film’s most persistent tension: Mission Recon isn’t built to stand alone. It’s a well-animated, handsomely packaged stopgap until Season 2 arrives in 2025 and for diehards, that’s probably more than enough. Still, it’s rarely less than entertaining.

Kaiju No. 8: Mission Recon is currently running in theatres

The festival will be held at the Gayana Samaja premises on K.R. Road in Bengaluru from 5.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. daily.  
| Photo Credit: File photo

The Bangalore Gayana Samaja will host the Karnataka Classical Instrumental Music festival, titled Vaadya Vybhava 2025, from April 17 to 20.

This four-day festival will be a celebration of Karnataka’s rich musical heritage, showcasing the finest classical instrumental performances by some of the most esteemed artists in the region.

The festival will be held at the Gayana Samaja premises on K.R. Road from 5.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. daily.  

Schedule of events

April 17: Nagaswara by Bangalore B.S. Ramesh Babu and team at 5.30 p.m.; Mandolin by Vishnu Venkatesh and party at 7.30 p.m. 

April 18: Flute concert by Kulur Ravichandra and party at 5.30 p.m. Keyboard by Palghat Sriram at 7 p.m. 

April 19: Violin solo by H.K. Venkatram at 6 p.m. 

April 20: Veena concert by Ananthapadmanabhan at 6 p.m. 

Before the concert, Veena maestro Ananthapadmanabhan will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award and the title of Naadasri by C.K. Ramamurthy, chairman of CMR Jnanadhara Trust. 

Akshay Kumar gave a roaring shout out to Ajay Devgn’s Raid 2 trailer. Akshay Kumar wrote on his Instagram Stories, “Bhai, what a trailer!! I hope teri 75th Raid does 75 weeks in theatres. Good luck Ajay Devgn.”

For Riteish Deshmukh, who plays the antagonist in this instalment, Akshay Kumar wrote, “And the evilness suits you.”

The trailer of Ajay Devgn’s film released on April 8. Amay Patnaik (Ajay Devgn’s character) is back and he won’t sleep in peace until he excavates the black stashes at Dadabhai’s place. But it won’t be an easy investigation as Riteish Deshmukh won’t surrender until he plays all his cards.

The bottom line of the trailer is summed up in one dialogue – Riteish Deshmukh asks Ajay Devgn, “Pandava kab se Chakravyuh rach ne laga?” “Kaun kaha mein Pandava hoon, mein toh pura Mahabharat hoon,” comes Ajay Devgn’s reply.

The trailer is replete with nostalgic elements as Saurabh Shukla (he was the villain in Raid) has a few cameo appearances, reminding the audience of Amay Patnaik’s indomitable spirit. Vaani Kapoor plays Ajay Devgn’s wife in the film. 

Raid 2 is the sequel to Ajay Devgn’s 2018 hit Raid. The first instalment was inspired by a real-life Income Tax raid from the 1980s and received widespread acclaim.

Raid 2, the film will be released on May 1, 2025 in theatres.

Tamannaah Bhatia has impressed fans with her fiery dance numbers in Kaavaalaa (Jailer) and Aaj Ki Raat (Stree 2). Now, she is all set to feature in a new song from Ajay Devgn’s upcoming film Raid 2. The track, titled Nasha, will be unveiled on April 11. 

On Thursday, the makers of Raid 2 teased the song on Instagram. The short clip opens to a group of men playing instruments and waving flags inside a dimly lit room. 

Soon, Tamannaah Bhatia makes a dramatic entry. The actress, dressed in a white and golden outfit, showcases her sizzling moves. Her expressions are simply on fire. 

The side note read, “Sabke dil aur dimaag pe chadhega Tamannaah ka Nasha! (Tamannaah’s Nasha is all set to take over everyone’s hearts and minds.) Song Out Tomorrow.”

Raid 2, directed by Raj Kumar Gupta, is the sequel to Ajay Devgn’s 2018 hit film Raid. The first part was based on the real-life Income Tax raid from the 1980s. 

Ajay Devgn returns as the tough IRS officer Amay Patnaik in Raid 2. Riteish Deshmukh is the prime antagonist. He portrays the character of a powerful politician, Dadabhai. Vaani Kapoor and Rajat Kapoor are also a part of the project. Saurabh Shukla (the villain from Raid) also has a few cameo appearances. 

Earlier this month, the makers dropped Raid 2′s much-awaited trailer. The clip showed Amay Patnaik conducting his 75th raid at Dadabhai’s place. Viewers were once again reminded of the IRS officer’s indomitable spirit. 

A standout moment from the trailer featured a Mahabharata reference. It captured a cold face-off between Amay Patnaik and Dadabhai. When Dadabhasi asked, “Pandava kab se Chakravyuh rach ne laga? (Since when did the Pandavas start plotting a Chakravyuh?)”, Amay’s stern reply was, “Kaun kaha mein Pandava hoon, mein toh pura Mahabharat hoon (Who said I am a Pandava, I am the entire Mahabharat).”

Raid 2 is produced by Bhushan Kumar, Kumar Mangat Pathak, Abhishek Pathak, and Krishan Kumar. The film will arrive in the theatres on May 1. 

The auction was simple enough. North’s three-heart bid was invitational and Hard Luck Louie was happy to accept. Louie covered the opening club lead with dummy’s king, losing to East’s ace. East shifted to the queen of spades, covered by the king, and won with West’s ace. A spade to East’s 10 gave the defence three tricks and Louie could not avoid a diamond loser later in the play. He drifted down one. “Both black aces offside! My usual crummy luck,” said Louie. “At least this happened in the club’s Saturday night duplicate instead of in rubber bridge. It didn’t cost me any money. The same thing will happen at every table.”

Lucky Larry played the same contract and faced the same opening lead. He played low from dummy on the opening club lead, not covering the 10. East could overtake and shift to a spade but that would leave three club winners in dummy for eventual diamond discards. East played low and West, with nothing better to do, led another club — king, ace, ruff. Larry drew trumps in two rounds, ending in dummy, and discarded two spades on the two good clubs. He still had to lose one spade and one diamond, but he had 10 tricks. Nice play!

Abhijeet Bhattacharya and Shah Rukh Khan once created some of Bollywood’s most memorable songs together. But in recent years, the singer has repeatedly made it clear that things are no longer smooth between them. In his latest interview, Abhijeet didn’t hold back as he once again took a jibe at the superstar. This time around, he was sarcastic and how!
Once called SRK’s voice in Bollywood
In the 1990s and 2000s, Abhijeet was one of Bollywood’s top playback singers. His voice played a major role in the success of many songs that featured Shah Rukh Khan on screen. Hits like ‘Zara Sa Jhoom Loon Mein’, ‘Wada Raha Sanam’, ‘Baadshah O Baadshah’, ‘Woh Ladki Jo Saab Se’, and ‘Tauba Tumhare Ye Ishaare’ were all sung by him. His voice became so closely linked with Shah Rukh that fans often believed it was SRK singing. But behind the scenes, things weren’t quite as perfect.
‘Shah Rukh sang this song, Shah Rukh wrote this song…’
In a recent interview with ANI, Abhijeet was asked about the awkwardness between him and Shah Rukh. He responded with heavy sarcasm, hinting that he felt sidelined despite contributing to the actor’s musical legacy.
He said, “We’re like twins, I mean, it seems that way with the voice. Now I realise that all these songs aren’t mine. Shah Rukh sang this song, Shah Rukh wrote this song, Shah Rukh composed the music, Shah Rukh made the film, Shah Rukh is the cinematographer. Everything is Shah Rukh. What can I do? People tell me it’s Shah Rukh’s song, and then I realise, oh, right, it’s not mine. Sab kuch woh hi hai toh bhai main kya karun (He is everything, so what am I)?”

‘Chalte Chalte was average, only the songs worked’
Abhijeet also shared his thoughts on the 2003 film ‘Chalte Chalte’, where he sang the popular number ‘Tauba Tumhare Ye Ishaare’. The film starred Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji and had a well-loved soundtrack. But according to Abhijeet, it was only the songs that made an impact.
“Chalte Chalte film average hi thi, gaane hit the, sirf gaane hi hit the, par ab kya kar sakte hain,” he said, meaning “Chalte Chalte was an average film, only the songs were hit, but what can be done.”

Deepika Padukone recently weighed in on the debate she often faces with – Mumbai (her workplace) or Bengaluru (hometown). Deepika Padukone shared a BTS video in which she can be seen getting ready for an event. She was first asked if she misses Corner House (a popular dessert place in Bengaluru) in Mumbai. 

Deepika replied, “I do miss it but, in a way, I am actually glad that there isn’t one in Bombay. Ah, because that would require a different level of willpower.”

Asked to choose between Mumbai and Bengaluru, Deepika replied, “Whenever I come back to Bengaluru, it feels like home, you know, because this is where I’ve lived a large part of my life. This is where I’ve grown up, my friends, my school, my college, so all of those formative years and those experiences have all been here”.

Taking a pause, Deepika added, “Mumbai again because professionally, that’s where my life began and that’s where home is now, and the energy in Mumbai is very very different, so it’s very difficult to choose one over the other. But I feel like both cities have really influenced my 39 years.”

The video features a montage of her rare photos from school, college, and childhood as well as her early modelling days in Mumbai. 

Deepika captioned the video, “A question I get asked ever so often…Bengaluru or Mumbai?”

Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh welcomed their first child, a daughter, last year. They have named their daughter Dua. Deepika Padukone was last seen in the film Singham Again.

She has made a few appearances at the international events like the Louis Vuitton show during Paris Fashion Week, Forbes 30/50 Global Summit in Abu Dhabi.