Actors Prabhas and Deepika Padukone-starrer sci-fi film, directed by Nag Ashwin, has been titled Kalki 2898-AD, the makers announced at the San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) on Friday.
Producers Vyjayanthi Movies also shared a glimpse of the much-anticipated film at the SDCC in the presence of Prabhas and veteran actor Kamal Haasan, who also features in the movie.
According to a press note issued by the makers, Kalki 2898-AD promises to transport audiences to a world never seen before in Indian cinema. The film is set in 2898 AD, offering an "unparalleled and immersive cinematic experience".
Produced by C Aswani Dutt from Vyjayanthi Movies, the magnum opus, which was greenlit as Project K in 2020, also features megastar Amitabh Bachchan in a pivotal role.
Disha Patani rounds out the cast of the multilingual big-budget movie.
The film is scheduled to be released on January 12, 2024.
ABHISHEK SHARMA scored 59 off 20 balls to help Sunrisers Hyderabad beat Lucknow Super Giants by six wickets on Monday, ending Lucknow’s chances of making the IPL playoffs.
Chasing 206 for victory, Abhishek set the tone with an innings that included four fours and six sixes. Hyderabad reached the target with 10 balls remaining in Lucknow.
He was dismissed in the eighth over. Heinrich Klaasen, who made 47, and Kamindu Mendis, who retired hurt on 32, added 55 runs for the fourth wicket to take the team close to the target.
With the loss, Lucknow became the fifth team to be knocked out of the playoff race. Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals remain in contention for the final spot.
"Definitely it could have been one of our best seasons but coming into the tournament we had a lot of gaps, injuries," said Lucknow captain Rishabh Pant. "As a team we decided to not talk about that but it became difficult to fill those gaps."
Gujarat Titans, Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have already qualified for the playoffs, which begin on May 29.
Sunrisers Hyderabad were already out of the race, but captain Pat Cummins said the win “gives (us) a lot of confidence for next year”.
Abhishek began attacking after losing his opening partner Atharva Taide, who was dismissed by New Zealand pacer Will O'Rourke on his IPL debut.
Abhishek reached his fifty in 18 balls, hitting five sixes including three in a row off Ravi Bishnoi. He hit one more six before being dismissed by leg-spinner Digvesh Rathi.
Hyderabad lost Ishan Kishan on 35 before Klaasen and Mendis steadied the chase. Klaasen missed out on a fifty while Mendis retired hurt with a foot injury. Nitish Reddy and Aniket Verma completed the chase.
Earlier, Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram added 115 runs for the opening wicket to set up Lucknow’s total of 205-7.
Marsh top-scored with 65, including six fours and four sixes, and Markram made 61. Nicholas Pooran contributed 45 off 26 balls.
The rest of the Lucknow batters could not reach double figures. Rishabh Pant was dismissed for seven, caught and bowled by Eshan Malinga.
Pant has scored just 135 runs in 11 innings this season. Lucknow had bought him for $3.21 million in the November auction.
The team also had injury concerns with pacers Avesh Khan and Mayank Yadav before and during the tournament.
Eshan Malinga finished with 2-28 from four overs.
Pooran was run out in the final over, where two run outs and another wicket fell.
The IPL resumed on Saturday after a pause due to a conflict between India and Pakistan. The final will now take place on June 3.
Bakery chain Greggs is trialling a move to place food and drink items behind the counter at selected stores in a bid to reduce shoplifting and anti-social behaviour.
The company confirmed that a small number of its branches, including locations in Whitechapel, Peckham and Ilford in east London, have begun testing the new layout. These stores have reportedly experienced higher levels of theft and disruptive behaviour, prompting the temporary shift.
A spokesperson for Greggs said: “We are trialling some changes at a small number of shops that are exposed to higher levels of anti-social behaviour. Customers can still expect to see our full range behind the counter. The safety of our colleagues and customers remains our number one priority.”
Greggs operates more than 2,600 outlets across the UK, and it is not expected that this change will be adopted across all of them. However, the company may expand the policy to other stores where theft is a recurring issue.
The move comes amid a nationwide rise in retail theft. According to the Office for National Statistics, police recorded 516,971 shoplifting offences in 2024 — a 20% increase compared with the previous year. Industry figures, however, suggest the actual scale of shop theft is far greater.
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The British Retail Consortium (BRC) reported that there were 20.4 million instances of theft in the year to September 2024, up from 16.7 million the previous year — a rise of 3.7 million. Retailers have also expressed growing concern over organised shoplifting operations.
Some supermarket and high street chains have cited incidents involving groups using Bluetooth headsets to coordinate thefts, setting off alarms as a distraction to enable accomplices to flee with goods.
Andy Higginson, chair of JD Sports and of the BRC, said some criminals treat shoplifting as a “way of life”.
“There is an element of society that is starting to take stealing from stores as a way of life and that needs to be stopped,” he told the BBC. He also dismissed the notion that shoplifting was being driven by cost-of-living pressures, arguing that stolen items were often high-value goods intended for resale, rather than necessities.
However, others in the retail security sector say the profile of shoplifters has changed in recent years. John Nussbaum, director of service for retail at Kingdom Security, said his staff have witnessed a sharp rise in thefts carried out by older individuals and families.
“We’ve seen a massive increase in pensioners shoplifting, putting a jar of coffee in their bag and one in the trolley, that sort of thing,” he said. “We’ve had instances of mothers caught shoplifting when they're with their kids.”
Nussbaum noted that incidents of shoplifting have become more varied since the pandemic, with economic pressures contributing to an increase in people who would not typically be involved in theft.
The trial at Greggs reflects a wider trend among retailers to adapt their store operations in response to increasing retail crime and staff safety concerns.
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Stars are turning memories into marketing in 2025’s most nostalgic campaigns
From 90s fashion flashbacks to revived cartoon icons, 2025 is proving that everything old is new again or at least in celebrity-fronted brand campaigns. This decade, nostalgia isn’t just a vibe, but a full-blown economy. Across fashion, gaming, beauty, and music, brands are digging into pop culture’s archives to strike an emotional chord with consumers. Whether it’s John Cena teaming up with SpongeBob SquarePants for a gaming crossover, or Beyoncé revisiting a classic Levi’s ad from 1991, the throughline is clear: audiences crave the familiar but with a fresh twist.
But why does it work? Because in a world of algorithm-chasing trends and digital fatigue, nothing hits harder than the warm, fuzzy punch of ‘remember when’. And the biggest names in entertainment, fashion, and music are cashing in big time. Here are 10 brilliant nostalgia plays of 2025, ranked by how hard they made us yell, "Take my money!"
John Cena x Brawl Stars x SpongeBob SquarePants
WWE legend and actor John Cena teamed up with Supercell’s Brawl Stars to celebrate the 25th anniversary of SpongeBob SquarePants. The ad hilariously shows Cena’s phone sinking into the ocean, merging the worlds of Brawl Stars and Bikini Bottom. This crossover not only brought together gaming and animation fans but also played on Cena’s iconic wrestling persona, generating significant buzz online.
French DJ David Guetta collaborated with Hypaton and Europe to release ‘The Final Countdown 2025’, reimagining the classic 1986 rock anthem with an electronic twist. The track blends Guetta’s EDM style with the song’s epic essence, hitting both new listeners and long-time fans. This modern revival became an instant hit on streaming platforms, proving that the iconic track’s spirit is still alive.
Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning Farewell
At the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, Tom Cruise made a surprise appearance to promote Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, the eighth and final instalment of the franchise. Cruise’s global promotional tour, complete with daring stunts and a rare TikTok appearance, stirred nostalgia while celebrating the 25-year legacy of the iconic spy series.
Fronting Louis Vuitton’s Resort 2025 campaign, Zendaya brought back the brand’s iconic Takashi Murakami cherry print. With over 70 pieces bringing together early 2000s aesthetics and contemporary fashion, the campaign was a nod to a nostalgic fashion era, and Zendaya’s star power made it a viral hit.
Hailey Bieber led Rhode Beauty’s ‘Peptide Lip Shape’ campaign, embracing ’90s nostalgia with pastel visuals reminiscent of films like Clueless. Accompanied by singer-dancer Tate McRae, the campaign’s vibrant aesthetic and Bieber’s influence made it a top trend on beauty blogs and social media.
As the face of Tommy Hilfiger’s Tommy Girl capsule collection, Wonyoung from IVE channelled the brand’s 1990s fragrance and preppy fashion. The collection marked Tommy Girl’s 40th anniversary, and Wonyoung’s global fanbase ensured the campaign’s success, bringing together retro and modern streetwear.
Beyoncé starred in Levi’s RE:IMAGINE ‘Pool Hall’ campaign, paying homage to the brand’s iconic early-1990s ads. Set in a vintage pool hall, the spot featured classic 501 jeans and retro styling. Beyoncé’s stardom revived Levi’s heritage, and her social media teasers racked up over 12 million views, boosting denim sales significantly.
Salt-N-Pepa & Grandma’s Cookies ‘Sweet Beat’ Campaign
Hip-hop icons Salt-N-Pepa teamed up with Grandma’s Cookies to launch the ‘Sweet Beat’ campaign, remixing the childhood rhyme ‘Who Stole the Cookie from the Cookie Jar?’ into a catchy rap. The ad’s playful throwback vibes and Salt-N-Pepa’s performance made it a hit among both millennials and Gen Z, while social media challenges fuelled its viral status.
Hellmann’s recreated the iconic diner scene from When Harry Met Sally with Meg Ryan, Billy Crystal, and Sydney Sweeney. The commercial cleverly mixes the classic rom-com’s charm with contemporary humour, resonating with audiences who fondly remember the original 1989 film. The ad’s light-hearted nostalgia made it a memorable Super Bowl moment.
Comedian Chloe Fineman starred in Maybelline’s ‘Ugly Cry, Perfect Liner’ campaign, channelling the dramatic emotions of 1990s music videos. The ad humorously presents Maybelline’s Tattoo Studio Ink Pen Eyeliner, playing off the durability of makeup during emotional moments. Fineman’s quirky take on ’90s pop culture became a social media favourite.
Let’s be real: nostalgia isn’t just marketing. It’s emotional time travel. These stars know exactly which buttons to push: the cartoons we watched, the songs we screamed into hairbrushes, the jeans we begged our parents to buy. And in 2025? They’re not just selling products. They’re selling a feeling; one that says, ‘Remember this? Yeah, you loved it. Here it is again.’
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UP ATS arrested a Pakistani agency ISI spy named Shahzad from Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh. (Photo: ANI)
INDIAN authorities have arrested 11 people for allegedly spying for Pakistan, according to local media reports citing police officials.
The arrests follow recent fighting earlier this month in which at least 60 people were killed, reported AFP. The clashes were triggered by an April 22 attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir. New Delhi accused Islamabad of backing the attackers, a charge Pakistan has denied.
NDTV reported on Monday that nine of the arrests took place in the northern states of Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.
Punjab director general of police Gaurav Yadav said two people were arrested for "leaking sensitive military information".
Police received "credible intelligence inputs" that the two were "involved in sharing classified details" linked to Indian strikes inside Pakistani territory on the night of May 6-7.
A preliminary investigation revealed they were in "direct contact" with handlers from Pakistan’s intelligence agency Inter-services Intelligence (ISI) and "had transmitted critical information concerning the Indian Armed Forces," Yadav said.
In Haryana, police arrested a travel blogger last week on similar charges.
Local media reported that the woman had travelled to Pakistan at least twice and had been in contact with an official from the Pakistani embassy.
Others arrested include a student, a security guard and a businessman.
India Today reported that the 11 accused were "lured into the spy network through social media, monetary incentives, false promises, messaging apps and personal visits to Pakistan".
The arrests come after the most serious flare-up between the two countries since their last open conflict in 1999.
A ceasefire was reached after four days of missile, drone and artillery attacks.
(With inputs from AFP)
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Kareena Kapoor chose a quiet family evening over the much-awaited Guns N' Roses concert
Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor chose a quiet family evening over the much-awaited Guns N’ Roses concert in Mumbai this past weekend. Instead of joining the crowd at Mahalaxmi Race Course, she stayed home with her husband Saif Ali Khan and their children, enjoying a cosy music session together.
Kareena shared a glimpse of this private moment on Instagram. She posted a photo of Saif patiently teaching Taimur to play the guitar, with the young boy sitting on a stool, fully absorbed in learning. Kareena captured this from outside the room, framing the father and son in a warm, candid shot. She wrote, “Might have missed Guns N’ Roses… but I got my own band,” adding fire and heart emojis to the story.
Saif Ali Khan teaching Taimur guitar during a cozy family jam sessionInstagram Screengrab/Kareena Kapoor Khan
This intimate jam session highlighted a different side of the Kapoor-Khan family, one filled with simple pleasures and shared moments rather than the usual glitz. For Kareena, these moments clearly matter more than attending a big public event, no matter how exciting.
Meanwhile, the Guns N’ Roses concert marked the legendary band’s first performance in India in 13 years. The iconic lineup, including Axl Rose, Slash, and Duff McKagan, returned with their touring band for a high-energy show packed with classics like “Sweet Child O’ Mine” and “November Rain.” The Mumbai crowd’s excitement was palpable, with Axl Rose expressing his happiness to be back on stage in the city.
Kareena Kapoor shares a rare glimpse of her husband and son bonding over musicInstagram Screengrab/Kareena Kapoor Khan
On the professional front, Kareena was last seen in Rohit Shetty’s action film Singham Again, sharing screen space with big names like Ajay Devgn and Deepika Padukone. Rumours suggest she may next star in Meghna Gulzar’s upcoming project, tentatively called Daayra, alongside Malayalam actor Prithviraj Sukumaran, though details remain unconfirmed.
While Guns N’ Roses rocked Mumbai, Kareena found her own kind of music and magic at home and sometimes, the best concerts happen right in your living room with loved ones.