Culture
festivals, arts, theatre, literature, heritage, religion, awards and events
No Shivaji Park Dipotsav this year: Raj Thackeray says not while farmers are leaving
MNS chief Raj Thackeray called off the party's annual Dipotsav at Mumbai's Shivaji Park on Wednesday, citing the drought. In a video message he said it would be wrong to celebrate lavishly while farmers in rural Maharashtra migrate to cities. The state has declared 85% of its area drought-hit and announced ₹5,000 interim aid for farmers.
Akhilesh Yadav wants preacher Dhirendra Shastri barred from Uttar Pradesh over Ram-Krishna remarks
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday demanded that preacher Dhirendra Shastri be stopped from entering Uttar Pradesh, after remarks comparing Lord Ram and Lord Krishna at a Ram Katha in Madhya Pradesh's Shivpuri district. Shastri has apologised, saying he meant no insult to any deity.
Six shows a day, 6 am to 2.30 am: Tamil Nadu lets new releases run all night
Tamil Nadu has allowed theatres to screen newly released Tamil films up to six shows a day, from 6 am to 2.30 am the next day, for one week from release. The Cinemas (Regulation) Rules, 1957 will be amended. Six shows will also be allowed on local festival days, public holidays, Saturdays and Sundays. The order follows representations from producers' associations.
Ramayana's advance booking crosses Rs 100 crore. The pre-Diwali jinx is the next record in its sights
Advance bookings for Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana: Part One have crossed Rs 100 crore worldwide, with Rs 72.91 crore in India by Tuesday morning. PVR INOX expects the November 5 release to post its biggest pre-Diwali advance in more than three decades.
Oscar entry Gondhal goes out in seven languages, opening on a 25-minute unbroken take
The trailer of Gondhal, India's official submission for the 99th Academy Awards, has been released ahead of a worldwide release on November 13. Santosh Davakhar's psychological thriller will open in Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and English, which the makers call a first for a Marathi film.
'Ravana is not all bad': Sai Pallavi's Ramayana remark sets off a debate
A clip from the Los Angeles premiere of Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana, in which Sai Pallavi says Ravana is 'not all bad' and asks people to spot the Ravana within themselves, has gone viral. Some viewers have questioned her choice of words.
Chef Damu, who made Tamil cooking a television habit, dies at 72
The chef and Cooku With Comali judge died on Sunday. No cause of death or hospital was disclosed. He was the first Indian chef with a PhD in hotel management and held a Guinness record for cooking 617 dishes in 24.5 hours.
Drishyam 3 crosses ₹564 crore worldwide as Day 22 slips to ₹1.40 crore
Ajay Devgn's Drishyam 3: The Conclusion has collected ₹564.95 crore gross worldwide, with ₹363.25 crore net in India, by its 22nd day. Friday's India net earnings fell to ₹1.40 crore, a 33.3% drop from Thursday.
Police deny permission for Diljit Dosanjh's October 30 concert in Delhi
Delhi Police have refused permission for Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh's concert at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on October 30, citing security concerns and the festive season. The show was to open the India leg of his Aura World Tour.
Sorry 1,000 times': Sonu Nigam ends Kannadiga row, Bengaluru concert back on for October 24
Singer Sonu Nigam has apologised to Kannadigas over his 2025 remark linking a Kannada song request to the Pahalgam attack. The pro-Kannada outfit KRV called off its protest after his apology. His October 24 Bengaluru concert will now go ahead.
Sengol craftsman Vummidi Ethiraj dies at 99, Modi and Vice-President pay tribute
Vummidi Ethiraj, the jeweller whose family helped craft the Sengol handed to Nehru in 1947, died in Chennai at 99; PM Modi and the Vice-President condoled.
Manoj Bajpayee's Gajab Raat, Sumo Didi and Nani's The Paradise lead this week's streaming slate
This week's streaming line-up includes Manoj Bajpayee's Gajab Raat, the sumo-wrestler biopic Sumo Didi, Nani's The Paradise and the crime drama Chaar Yaar, arriving on Netflix, ZEE5, Prime Video and JioHotstar between October 21 and 23.
Ramayana gets tax-free tag in West Bengal ahead of November 5 release
Nitesh Tiwari's 'Ramayana: Part 1' has been declared tax-free in West Bengal. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the decision on Dussehra. The film stars Ranbir Kapoor as Rama, Yash as Ravana and Sai Pallavi, and is set for theatrical release on November 5.
Balasaheb Thackeray's Bhiwandi school in ruins, awaits Rs 2-3 crore repair
The stone school in Bhiwandi where Balasaheb Thackeray had his primary education is now dilapidated. Corporator Roma Nilesh Aalshi has asked deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde for Rs 2 crore to Rs 3 crore for its repair.
Regime change won't fix what ails India, RSS chief Bhagwat says, warning of a 'storm from the West'
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat told his Nagpur Vijayadashami gathering that protests are natural where systems are flawed, but they must seek solutions and stay within the Constitution. He warned of a 'storm from the West' and said regime change changes nothing.
Hong Kong, Uttarakhand and Sangli Mandals Win State Best Ganeshotsav Contest 2026
Maharashtra has announced the results of its Best Public Ganeshotsav Mandal contest 2026, with 354 mandals taking part. Rajan Patkar, a veteran idol maker, has received the first Welling-Khatu Ganesh Murti Award.
Reading Inspiration Day must be observed all year, says Marathi Language Minister Uday Samant
A book fair at the Trimurti premises of Mantralaya runs on October 15 and 16. Minister Uday Samant has asked every officer and employee to read at least one book before the next Reading Inspiration Day.
Veteran actor Madhu Kambikar dies, Lavani's legacy in acting is lost
Veteran actor Madhu Kambikar, who gave Lavani dignity and a new identity through her dance and acting, has died. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Cultural Affairs Minister Adv. Ashish Shelar paid tribute to her.
Satara Youth Makes His Mark in Mumbai: Manish Kadam’s MK Dry Fruits at Crawford Market
Manish Kadam from Satara has built the MK Dry Fruits brand at Mumbai’s Crawford Market over 10 years. He has also given work to three or four young men from his village.