Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s Toofaan starring Farhan Akhtar in the lead role was all set to hit the big screens in September last year. But, due to the pandemic, the release date was postponed, and a few days ago, there were reports that the film will get a direct-to-digital release on Amazon Prime Video.
Well, the reports have turned out to be true, and today, the OTT platform took to Instagram to announce the release date of Toofaan.
They posted, “weather forecast for this summer: an epic blockbuster - #ToofaanOnPrime. teaser will be dropping on march 12. World premiere, May 21. @excelmovies @romppictures @faroutakhtar @mrunalofficial2016 #PareshRawal @hussain.dalal @ritesh_sid @rakeyshommehra @vjymaurya @ozajay @shankarehsaanloy @zeemusiccompany #JavedAkhtar #AnjumRajabali @kassimjagmagia @vishalrr.”
Toofaan will start streaming on Amazon Prime Video on 21st May 2021, and the teaser of the movie will be released on 12th March 2021. Apart from Farhan, the film also stars Mrunal Thakur and Paresh Rawal.
It is Akhtar and Mehra’s second film together. The two have earlier worked together in the movie Bhaag Milkha Bhaag which was a super hit at the box office and it had also got thumbs up from the critics. The expectations from Toofaan are quite high and let’s hope that the film lives up to the expectations.
More than a thousand Indians have been sent back from the United States since January, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
The MEA confirmed that precisely 1,080 Indian nationals have been deported.
Approximately 62% of those deported returned on commercial flights, informed India’s spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
The deportations follow US President Donald Trump’s campaign against undocumented migrants entering the country. He had previously stated that he believes India “will do what’s right” in the matter of deporting illegal migrants.
This move by the US reflects a global trend of increasingly strict immigration controls.
Over a hundred shackled Indians were repatriated on a US military flight in February alone.
“We have close cooperation between India and the United States on migration issues,” said Jaiswal during the ministry’s weekly briefing. He added that deported Indians are only accepted back after strict verification of their nationality.
It is estimated that around 18,000 Indian nationals have entered the US illegally.
The US Embassy in India has issued a warning that overstaying in the US—even by those who entered legally—could lead to deportation or a permanent ban.
Jaiswal also raised concerns about President Trump’s proposed revisions to student visa policies, which could affect Indian students planning to study in the US. However, the Indian government has assured that the welfare of Indian students remains its “utmost priority”.
On Thursday, it was revealed that the US is pausing the scheduling of new visa interviews for foreign students as it considers expanding the screening of their social media activity. Student visa appointments under the F, M and J categories will be temporarily halted by American embassies.
US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem reiterated that all foreign nationals living in the US for over 30 days must register under the Alien Registration Act, a strict requirement enforced by an executive order signed by Trump.
“While we note that the issuance of a visa is a sovereign function, we hope that the applications of Indian students will be considered on merit, and that they will be able to join their academic programmes on time,” said Randhir Jaiswal. A total of 333,000 Indian students have travelled to the US for studies in 2023–24, constituting the largest share of the country’s international student population.
The Ministry of External Affairs has assured that it will closely monitor developments and continue to engage with US authorities to ensure the fair treatment of Indian nationals.
By clicking the 'Subscribe’, you agree to receive our newsletter, marketing communications and industry partners/sponsors sharing promotional product information via email and print communication from Garavi Gujarat Publications Ltd and subsidiaries. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in our emails. We will use your email address to personalize our communications and send you relevant offers. Your data will be stored up to 30 days after unsubscribing.
Switzerland’s village of Blatten was buried in ice, mud and rock
Switzerland’s village of Blatten was buried in ice, mud and rock on the evening of Wednesday during a fatal landslide.
Once a lush, green hamlet nestled in the Alps — known for its old wooden houses, historic buildings, and wandering cows and sheep — the village is now almost entirely buried. The landslide, which swept through 90 per cent of Blatten, has left the local community shattered.
How did Blatten end up in this tragedy?
Blatten sits below the Birch Glacier, which geologist Christophe Lambiel described as unique — it is the only glacier in the region that has been advancing over the past decade, while others have been retreating. A massive section of the glacier recently broke away and slid downhill, triggering the catastrophic landslide that nearly wiped out the village.
Around 300 residents and their livestock were evacuated in time, averting further tragedy. No deaths have been reported, though a 64-year-old man remains missing. Rescue teams and search dogs have been deployed, but the search has been suspended due to worsening weather conditions.
Experts believe this may only be the beginning. Geologists have warned of further hazards, including flooding, as the landslide debris — stretching across 2 km — is now obstructing the River Lonza. If the blockage causes the lake to overflow, downstream villages could be at risk.
"I don't want to talk just now. I lost everything yesterday. I hope you understand," said one middle-aged woman from Blatten, recalling the harrowing experience.
The beautiful village of Blatten in the Swiss AlpsGetty Images
The once-beautiful roads winding through the valley are now buried in mud. While residents remain calm, the looming threat of further flooding is a growing concern.
"The water from the River Lonza cannot flow down the valley because there is an enormous plug," said geologist Raphael Mayoraz, suggesting the risk of flooding in nearby areas. The river is now backed up with as much as one million cubic metres of water, worsened by accumulated landslide material.
"We’re not in a state to think about future shocks just yet," added Jonas Jeitziner, a local official.
“The unimaginable has happened,” said Matthias Bellwald, Mayor of Blatten. The tragedy is a stark reminder of the effects of rising temperatures on Alpine permafrost, which once held gravel and boulders in place. The Birch Glacier had shown visible cracks earlier this month, raising concerns long before the slide.
In 2022, Switzerland lost 6 per cent of its glacier volume, followed by a further 4 per cent in 2023.
The landslide that buried almost half of Blatten villageReuters
Despite the destruction, the people of Blatten remain united. Locals, scientists and the army are working together to begin the long road to recovery.
Even in the face of such devastation, the spirit of Blatten remains strong. "We've lost the village, but not the heart,” said Mayor Bellwald. “The village is under the gravel, but we're going to get up. We are going to stand in solidarity and rebuild. Everything is possible."
Keep ReadingShow less
Mona Singh gears up in uniform for her first cop role in Kohrra season 2
Netflix’s acclaimed crime drama Kohrra is returning for a second season, and its newest addition is none other than Mona Singh. Known for her wide-ranging roles across genres, Singh’s casting adds a fresh layer of intrigue to the moody, atmospheric series.
This will also be her first time playing a cop, a welcome shift from her recent comedic role in the horror flick Munjya. The teaser shows her in uniform, sharing the screen with Barun Sobti, and already hints at a character with grit and complexity. It’s a role that seems tailor-made for her brand of grounded intensity.
Mona Singh continues to break boundaries with every new role she takes on
Singh’s recent choices have consistently veered into darker, more layered territory. From her performance in Kaala Paani to her memorable role in Made in Heaven 2, she’s leaned into characters that demand emotional range. Kohrra, with its slow-burn storytelling and rural noir setting, offers fertile ground for another such performance.
Adding Singh to the mix is also a clever narrative choice. The first season of Kohrra stood out for its quiet, restrained depiction of masculinity and justice. Introducing a strong female law enforcement officer could open up new dynamics and push the story into interesting moral grey zones.
Mona Singh shines as one of the most dependable actors in Indian entertainmentGetty Images
This isn’t just a comeback to long-form content for Singh but also shows her ability to adapt and elevate. If her past thrillers are anything to go by, her entry into the Kohrra universe is likely to amplify both the emotional and suspenseful stakes of the show.
The release date for Kohrra season 2 hasn’t been announced yet, but Singh’s casting certainly ensures that there’s already something to look forward to.
Keep ReadingShow less
The Belfast shop has even seen regular customers travel long distances to secure the cards
Pokémon cards demand has reached an all-time high as collectors queued from early morning in Belfast to purchase the latest trading card release, Scarlet and Violet – Destined Rivals.
Fans began lining up from 7am in the city centre on Friday, with some waiting over three hours to buy packs from the newest expansion. Each packet is priced at £4.30 and contains cards that could be worth up to £1,000 on the resale market, depending on rarity and condition.
The surge in interest reflects a wider trend of growing Pokémon cards demand across the UK, as collectors and investors seek out rare items from the long-running franchise.
With stock selling out within minutes of arriving and secondary market prices soaringCOLM LENAGHAN
Raymond Kilpatrick, owner of Tigeroo Toys on College Street, said he has never seen demand at this level. “It’s peaked before, but never like this,” he said. “Because of that, cards are now on allocation — shops can’t even place orders. We just get whatever Pokémon sends us.”
To manage the demand, Kilpatrick has introduced a ten-pack limit per customer. “All the boxes are gone within minutes,” he added.
Kilpatrick noted that Pokémon’s planned 30th anniversary in 2026 is adding to excitement, with limited-edition re-releases of original cards expected.
The appeal of Pokémon cards spans generations, he said. “Collectors range from primary school kids to adults. For many, these cards are nostalgic. People are buying them as investments or simply because it’s been a part of their childhood.”
The Belfast shop has even seen regular customers travel long distances to secure the cards. “One customer comes from Dublin,” Kilpatrick said. “He takes the first train up knowing he’ll get cards here. He told me there’s no guarantee of getting them in Dublin, where staff often buy stock before stores open. But here, if he arrives early, he knows he’ll get them. That’s real dedication.”
With stock selling out within minutes of arriving and secondary market prices soaring, Pokémon cards demand shows no sign of slowing. The Destined Rivals set has become one of the most sought-after releases in recent years, as the global Pokémon phenomenon continues to captivate both new and long-time fans.
Keep ReadingShow less
Mithoon is now India’s top-earning music composer with a £2.4 million crore deal
In a major shift in India’s music scene, composer Mithoon has become the country’s highest-paid musician, commanding £2.4 million (₹25 crore) for a single film project. This fee, reportedly for the soundtrack of an upcoming untitled romantic film, marks a milestone that no Indian composer has ever reached before.
Mithoon, whose real name is Mithun Sharma, is known for creating some of Bollywood’s most emotional and popular tracks like Tum Hi Ho and Phir Mohabbat. The new deal places him ahead of big names like AR Rahman, Pritam, Arijit Singh, and even Diljit Dosanjh. According to insiders, Mithoon’s long-standing collaboration with the film’s director was a key reason for the producers’ massive investment. Their previous work delivered memorable chartbusters, and this reunion has generated big expectations.
Mithoon returns to collaborate with a director he last worked with nearly 20 years agoInstagram/mithoon11
Until now, Anirudh Ravichander held the top spot, having earned over £960,000 (₹10 crore) for his work on Jawan, starring Shah Rukh Khan. His subsequent projects, including Leo and Jailer, reportedly brought in £768,000 (₹8 crore) each. Before Anirudh, AR Rahman had long been Bollywood’s most in-demand composer, charging about £768,000 (₹8 crore) per film and more if he also sang on the track.
For comparison, most music directors in the industry earn less than £480,000 (₹5 crore) per film. Popular composers like Pritam, MM Keeravani, Vishal-Shekhar, and Yuvan Shankar Raja fall into this range. Playback singers typically earn £14,400–£19,200 (₹15–20 lakh) per song and rarely touch the £96,000 (₹1 crore) mark for an entire film album. The only exception is in the independent music scene with artists like Diljit Dosanjh, who often cross £96,000 (₹1 crore) for private albums or live shows.
Mithoon’s deal signals a new phase for the music industry, where original soundtracks are becoming a major factor in a film’s success. As music continues to play a central role in Indian cinema’s appeal, composers like Mithoon are beginning to receive the kind of recognition and pay that reflects their influence on a film’s overall impact and that is a good sign.
Justin Bieber faces backlash for ‘I love you’ comment on 17-year-old star Ariana Greenblatt’s post