Abhinav Shukla, one of the most popular actors working on the small screen, was last seen in Sphere Origins’ successful show Silsila Badalte Rishton Ka which ran on Colors. The actor received positive response for portraying the negative character of Rajdeep Thakur with panache. However, the audience was in for a shock when his character was terminated from the show midway without any logical ending.
It has been over a year since Silsila Badalte Rishton Ka beamed its final episode in 2018. However, Abhinav Shukla is yet to receive payment for his work. Reportedly, his contract had it mentioned clearly that in case his character gets an axe, he would be given a month’s notice period. However, Shukla was shocked beyond belief when he received an email on 27th October 2018 from the production house, terminating his agreement with the daily soap with immediate effect.
Now, Abhinav Shukla has dragged the makers of Silsila Badalte Rishton Ka to court. Confirming the development, his lawyer Suvigya Vidyarthi told a leading publication, “Besides many other issues, including misinforming and misleading the channel that Abhinav was not available for the shoot, thereby compelling them to cast another actor as his replacement, the production house has even breached the contract by going against the clause under which Abhinav had to be compulsorily given a termination notice of a month in advance about his exit. He worked during the month of October, for which he hasn’t been paid. He hasn’t got his dues for the month of November as well, as stipulated in the contract.”
The lawyer went on to add, “He even approached the channel and Cine and TV Artists Association (CINTAA) and a meeting was held between CINTAA and Indian Film and TV Producers Council (IFTPC) representing the two parties. However, the solution provided in the meeting wasn’t respected by the production house. Left with no other option, he moved to criminal court for registration of an FIR for the offences of cheating, fraud and extortion. The next hearing is in February.”
Besides Abhinav Shukla, Silsila Badalte Rishton Ka also starred Drishti Dhami, Aditi Sharma and Shakti Arora in lead roles.
Fans hoping to see Bollywood's biggest stars, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan, face off in Tiger vs Pathaan will need to wait a little longer. Despite rumours of the project being shelved, sources confirm the film is still happening, just not anytime soon. Yash Raj Films (YRF) has decided to take a step back and rethink its approach to the spy universe before moving forward with this blockbuster clash.
A creative refresh for the spy universe
Aditya Chopra, YRF's chief architect, isn’t satisfied with sticking to the same old formula. Insiders reveal that the studio wants to avoid predictability and is working on a fresh narrative direction for Tiger vs Pathaan. "The team wants this film to be a game-changer, not just another spy flick," a source said. "They’re reworking the script to make sure it delivers something truly special."
YRF delays Tiger vs Pathaan to focus on War 2 and Alpha before revisiting the Khan vs Khan showdownPinterest
Earlier this year, Salman Khan hinted at the delay, stating that the film "isn’t happening right now." However, this doesn’t mean the project is dead, just that YRF is taking its time to perfect the vision. The studio is currently prioritising other big releases, including War 2 starring Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR and Alpha featuring Alia Bhatt and Sharvari Wagh, before revisiting the Khan vs Khan spectacle.
What’s next for fans?
While Tiger vs Pathaan remains on hold, YRF’s spy universe is far from dormant. War 2 is set to hit cinemas in 2025, followed by Alpha later that year. Meanwhile, Dhoom 4, starring Ranbir Kapoor, is also in development, signalling that YRF is expanding its action-packed universe beyond just spy thrillers.
After Pathaan shattered box office records and Tiger 3 underperformed, the stakes for this crossover are higher than ever. The studio wants to ensure that when the two superstars finally collide on screen, it’s nothing short of legendary.
For now, the dream remains alive; just postponed. And if YRF’s track record is any indication, the wait will likely be worth it.
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U.S. judge rules Blake Lively’s harassment claims were legally protected speech
A U.S. judge has dismissed actor-director Justin Baldoni’s massive defamation countersuit against Blake Lively, ending a months-long legal standoff that stemmed from accusations of sexual harassment on the set of It Ends With Us. The legal dispute erupted after Lively filed a formal complaint in December 2024, alleging inappropriate behaviour from Baldoni and retaliation when she raised concerns.
No defamation, no extortion, says court
The core of Baldoni’s £295 million (₹3,120 crore) claim rested on allegations that Lively, along with her husband Ryan Reynolds, their publicist, and The New York Times, had tried to sabotage his career by spreading false claims. He also accused them of attempting to wrest control of the film from his production house, Wayfarer Studios, by refusing to promote the project unless changes were made.
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds photographed during an event Getty Images
However, U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman rejected the lawsuit on several grounds. He noted that the statements made by Lively in her legal complaint were legally protected and not grounds for defamation. He also ruled that her decision not to promote the film did not qualify as extortion, stating it appeared more like workplace negotiation than unlawful coercion.
Baldoni’s separate £184 million (₹1,950 crore) suit against The New York Times was also thrown out, with the court determining the outlet had acted within its journalistic rights and showed no signs of malicious intent. The judge said the publication had relied on available evidence and was protected under laws designed to safeguard public-interest reporting.
Justin Baldoni during a press event prior to the legal fallout over It Ends With UsGetty Images
Lively responds with resolve and support
Blake Lively broke her silence shortly after the ruling, sharing her thoughts in an Instagram Story. “Like many others, I’ve felt the weight of a retaliatory lawsuit, the shame it tries to force on you,” she wrote. “While this suit against me has ended, too many women don’t have the means to fight back. I’ll continue to stand up for every woman’s right to feel safe, heard, and respected.”
— (@)
Her legal team called the verdict a “complete vindication” not just for Lively, but also for Reynolds, their publicist Leslie Sloane, and The New York Times. They described Baldoni’s lawsuit as baseless and pledged to pursue damages for the time and resources spent fighting what they labelled “abusive litigation.”
Baldoni has until 23 June to revise and refile a narrower version of his claims relating to possible contractual interference. A trial regarding Lively’s original complaint remains scheduled for March 2026.
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Ed Sheeran drops Sapphire with Arijit Singh and Shah Rukh Khan
Ed Sheeran’s latest single, Sapphire, is out now, and it marks a new chapter in his musical journey. With the Indian rhythms, rich storytelling, and unexpected star power, Sapphire is a big cross-cultural leap for the British singer-songwriter.
A musical journey through India with Arijit and SRK in the spotlight
Bringing together the soulful voice of Arijit Singh, choreography by Bollywood icon Farah Khan, and a surprise appearance by Shah Rukh Khan, the song celebrates global connection. Recorded during Sheeran’s visit to India earlier this year, Sapphire captures the spirit of collaboration and joy. From a sitar-laced melody to Arijit's vocals, the track has the feel of a summer anthem rooted in shared sounds and stories.
Shah Rukh Khan makes a special appearance in the Sapphire music video
The music video, directed by Liam Pethick, traces Sheeran’s journey across India, starting on a rooftop at sunrise and winding through beaches, bustling markets, and backlot film sets. There is even a stop at A.R. Rahman’s music school, where he jams with young musicians. One standout moment was a studio session with Arijit and a bike ride around his hometown.
In his own words, Ed says, " Sapphire was the first track that really gave me direction for the album. I finished it in Goa with some amazing Indian musicians. Getting Arijit on board was the missing puzzle piece. We even recorded a Punjabi version that drops soon; it’s one of my favourites on the record."
Ed Sheeran and Arijit Singh in India
New album Play coming this September and live shows sell out instantly
Sapphire is part of Sheeran’s upcoming album Play, releasing on 12 September 2025. After closing the Mathematics era, this album sees him experimenting with sounds from India and Iran.
In other exciting news, Sheeran’s homecoming gigs in Ipswich, his first UK headline shows since 2023, sold out immediately. Taking place at Portman Road Stadium in July, the three-night run will feature guests like Tori Kelly, James Blunt, and Busted. A portion of ticket sales will go to The Live Trust, a new fund aimed at supporting grassroots music professionals.
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Badshah reacts to backlash over controversial Dua Lipa comment
Rapper Badshah found himself in hot water after a social media post about global pop sensation Dua Lipa. What started as a simple tweet, her name with a heart emoji, quickly spiralled into chaos when a fan asked if they were collaborating. Badshah's response? "I'd rather make babies with her bro."
Badshah's viral response to the comment under his tweet Twitter Screengrab
The backlash was instant. Critics called the remark objectifying and disrespectful, forcing Badshah to clarify. Trying to douse the fire, he later posted, "I think one of the most beautiful compliments you can give a woman you really admire is to wish for her to mother your children. Meri soch nahi, tumhari soch saamne aayi hai." But the clarification didn't sit well with many, who criticised him for doubling down rather than acknowledging the issue. "Since when did that qualify as a compliment?" one user wrote, while others called it tone-deaf and entitled.
— (@)
Honey Singh joins the fray with a sarcastic jab
As the debate raged on, Badshah's longtime rival, Honey Singh, couldn't resist chiming in. Reacting to the rapper's explanation on Instagram, Singh dropped a sarcastic "Genius 😂👏👏," clearly mocking the justification. Fans caught the dig immediately, with some laughing at the not-so-subtle jab between the two, who've had a rocky relationship for years.
Badshah had previously expressed a desire to end their feud, but Singh's latest comment suggests the tension isn't fading anytime soon. Meanwhile, the rapper continues to make headlines, whether for his dramatic weight loss, rumoured romance with Tara Sutaria, or this latest controversy. One thing's clear: Badshah knows how to stay in the spotlight, but not always for the right reasons.
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Anurag Kashyap reacts sharply to Ted Sarandos’ remarks on Sacred Games
Anurag Kashyap is known for being outspoken, and this weekend he made headlines again, this time taking aim at Netflix’s top boss Ted Sarandos. The filmmaker lashed out after Sarandos questioned the streaming platform’s early approach in India, particularly their decision to kick things off with Kashyap’s gritty crime drama Sacred Games in 2018.
During an interview on Nikhil Kamath’s podcast People by WTF, Sarandos said he may have chosen a more “populist” route if he could go back, admitting the series was perhaps too novel for the Indian market at the time. The comments didn’t sit well with Kashyap, who fired back on social media, calling Sarandos “the definition of dumb” and sarcastically suggesting the platform should’ve launched with traditional “saas-bahu” content instead.
Kashyap takes aim at Netflix’s shift to mass-market content
Kashyap’s reference wasn’t just casual; it came at a time when Netflix India has partnered with Balaji Telefilms, led by Ektaa Kapoor, best known for her highly successful daily soaps like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. The filmmaker’s post read: “He should have started with Saas Bahu… he would have done well. Which he is doing now. I always knew tech guys are dumb when it comes to storytelling, but @tedsarandos is the definition of dumb is what I didn’t know.”
The post sparked debate online, with even singer-actor Lisa Mishra chiming in to support Kashyap, saying that everything on OTT today is “derivative… specifically of Sacred Games.”
Kapoor, without naming Kashyap, responded via Instagram by accusing unnamed artists of being classist. She defended soap operas, claiming they gave a voice to Indian women and were even studied by international researchers. Her post ended with a call for inclusivity and “graciousness.”
Ekta Kapoor's story Instagram screengrab/ektakapoor
A clash of content ideologies in India’s OTT landscape
Sacred Games, co-directed by Kashyap and Vikramaditya Motwane and starring Saif Ali Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, was a landmark moment for Indian streaming content. Though it didn’t continue past two seasons, it opened doors for darker, more experimental storytelling in Indian OTT.
Sarandos’ comments appear to suggest that while Sacred Games earned critical acclaim, it may not have been the right commercial launchpad for Netflix in India. Kashyap, however, sees the platform’s current pivot toward formula-driven programming as a step backward.
Ted Sarandos talks about Sacred Games for Netflix IndiaGetty Images
This very public disagreement brings to light a bigger conversation in the entertainment industry, between art that challenges and content that simply sells.