NCB files chargesheet against Bharti Singh and her husband Haarsh Limbachiyaa in 2020 drug case
In November 2020, Bharti and Haarsh, who are parents to a six-month-old baby boy, Lakshya, were arrested by the NCB for alleged possession of cannabis.
Legal trouble for comedian Bharti Singh and her husband Haarsh Limbachiyaa continues as Mumbai Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has filed a 200-page chargesheet against the couple before the court in connection with their 2020 drug case.
In November 2020, Bharti and Haarsh, who are parents to a six-month-old baby boy, Lakshya, were arrested by the NCB for alleged possession of cannabis.
They were later granted bail by a special (narcotics) court.
The NCB had raided the production office and house of Bharti and seized 86.5 grams of ganja (cannabis) from their place in 2020.
"Both Bharti and her husband Haarsh Limbachiya accepted consumption of Ganja."The search was conducted as part of a probe by the NCB into alleged drug use in the entertainment industry," earlier an NCB official said.
The search was conducted as part of a probe by the NCB into alleged drug use in the entertainment industry.
As the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2025 draws near, a wave of independently made films is already dominating conversations among critics, programmers, and distributors. These are not your typical star-studded blockbusters. In fact, they’re character-driven, stylistically bold, and often politically or emotionally charged stories. Many have already premiered at Cannes or Sundance, while a few are TIFF-bound discoveries. One Indian film, in particular, is catching the attention of international curators with its quiet force.
Here’s a look at 10 indie titles being talked about before the TIFF line-up is even announced.
Kristen Stewart steps behind the camera for her first feature, adapting Lidia Yuknavitch’s emotionally intense memoir. The story centres on a young woman navigating trauma, sexuality, and swimming, all told through a non-linear, stream-of-consciousness narrative. Imogen Poots plays the lead, and the film’s visual style has already drawn comparisons to Derek Cianfrance. It premiered out of competition at Cannes 2025 and is generating serious interest from indie distributors.
Lynne Ramsay’s return after an eight-year hiatus is being hailed as one of the most anticipated auteur-driven works of the year. Jennifer Lawrence stars in this adaptation of Ariana Harwicz’s novel about a woman struggling with postpartum psychosis. The script is by Alice Birch, and early responses from Cannes suggest this is Ramsay at her most unrelenting. A24 and Apple reportedly battled over rights, hinting at serious awards potential.
After Beau Is Afraid, Ari Aster switches tone again with this “modern Western,” featuring Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal. The film debuted at Sundance 2025 and won the Grand Jury Prize, making it a serious contender for further festival attention. The story follows two estranged brothers forced to reunite in a post-capitalist landscape. It’s moody, slow-burning, and already being called one of Aster’s most emotionally mature works.
Solondz is back with a genre twist. Dangerous Animals takes on his trademark bleak humour with a surreal, body-horror narrative that drew comparisons to Julia Ducournau’s Titane during early Cannes market talks. It follows a child star turned recluse who becomes the subject of a bizarre suburban experiment. Programmers expect this one to land in TIFF’s Midnight Madness section due to its provocative tone and overall risk-taking structure.
Celine Song’s follow-up to Past Lives is a sharp, darkly comic look at art, commerce and class. Starring Dakota Johnson and Pedro Pascal, Materialists premiered at Cannes 2025, where its razor-sharp satire of luxury culture and beauty standards won Best Screenplay. Industry insiders say its strong aesthetic and festival reaction make it a top Vanguard or Discovery pick for TIFF 2025.
A quiet surprise from India, Sabar Bonda is the first Marathi-language feature to screen in Sundance’s World Cinema Dramatic section. Directed by queer filmmaker Rohan Kanawade, it explores the relationship between a young boy and his teacher in a rural village, subtly exploring themes of gender, caste, and queerness. With TIFF’s history of championing regional Indian cinema, especially post-All We Imagine As Light, this is one of the most likely South Asian entries to break through.
Linklater’s latest film is a love letter to French cinema, both stylistically and thematically. Nouvelle Vague is set in 1960s Paris and follows a young American student who becomes entangled in a world of cinephiles, protests, and fleeting romance. It's less a plot-driven film and more an ode to a particular cinematic moment. Industry insiders say it’s tailor-made for TIFF’s cinephile crowd, possibly as part of a Cinema Makers tribute.
Wes Anderson returns with a twist on the heist genre. The Phoenician Scheme features an ensemble cast trapped in a fictional desert state during a crumbling political regime. It was screened privately during Cannes Village and quickly became one of the most talked-about titles among buyers. TIFF might host its North American premiere, offering a major red carpet moment while still fitting its indie tone due to Anderson’s distinct auteur status.
Scarlett Johansson’s first feature as a solo director was selected for Cannes Jury Screening and was met with strong praise. The story follows a reclusive former stage actor navigating grief and late-life reinvention in New York City. It’s intimate and character-focused, with a restrained visual style that allows its performances to shine. TIFF’s interest in debut directors makes this a strong candidate for a Platform slot.
Trier reunites with Renate Reinsve for Sentimental Value, a film that builds on the emotional resonance of The Worst Person in the World. The narrative centres around a family dealing with the return of a long-absent parent, told with Trier’s signature emotional clarity and subtle humour. It received warm reviews at Cannes and could emerge as one of TIFF’s most acclaimed European entries.
Why this matters?
Unlike blockbuster-heavy seasons, TIFF 2025 is shaping up to be a filmmaker’s festival. From deeply personal stories to hybrid genre experiments, this year's buzzed-about indie titles reflect a shift toward narrative risk and regional specificity. And with the inclusion of Sabar Bonda, there’s a clear sign that Indian independent cinema is no longer confined to the margins. It’s earning its seat at the global table.
TIFF 2025 runs from 4–14 September, with the official lineup dropping later this summer. Until then, these are the names to watch.
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Arjun Rampal says Rauf is the darkest character he has portrayed
Arjun Rampal has stepped into a deeply unsettling place with his portrayal of Rauf in Netflix’s Rana Naidu season 2. The actor, known for playing intense characters, says this role was unlike anything he’s done before.
“He’s the most terrifyingly real character I’ve ever played,” Rampal said. Rauf is unpredictable, violent, and entirely devoid of empathy, yet not completely soulless. What sets him apart is a surprising emotional sliver: the fierce love he holds for his niece. “She’s the only one he protects without question,” he explained. “It’s the only time you see something human in him.”
For Rampal, the challenge wasn’t just about playing a violent man. It was about showing the emotional contradictions buried under that rage. “The fine line between menace and vulnerability is where Rauf lives. That’s what made him so difficult to portray,” he said.
A new layer of conflict in Rana Naidu season 2
In the latest season, Rampal’s character is a new addition to the already explosive dynamic between Rana Daggubati and Venkatesh Daggubati, who play a feuding son and father. Rauf’s entry heightens the emotional stakes, bringing in a cold, calculated energy that shifts the entire tone of the show.
Directed by Karan Anshuman, Suparn Verma, and Abhay Chopra, and produced by Locomotive Global Media, Rana Naidu continues to explore themes of loyalty, power, and personal demons, with Rampal’s Rauf adding a new layer of darkness.
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Director Sukumar could reunite with Mythri for a record-breaking project with SRK
Rumours are swirling that Shah Rukh Khan may soon headline India’s most expensive film yet, with a whopping £28.5 million (₹300 crore) offer reportedly on the table. The production house behind the buzz? Mythri Movie Makers, the banner that backed Pushpa and Rangasthalam. If true, this would be SRK’s biggest payday ever.
Mythri Movie Makers eye massive collaboration with SRK for their next big ventureGetty Images
A historic pay packet or just industry chatter?
Multiple outlets suggest that Mythri is in talks with SRK for a £28.5 million (₹300 crore) deal, a figure unprecedented in Indian cinema. The film is also said to be directed by Sukumar, whose skill in bringing together commercial appeal with deep storytelling made Pushpa a national sensation.
Early reports estimate the film’s overall budget could touch £95 million (₹1,000 crore), factoring in Khan’s fee, large-scale production elements, and a full-blown pan-India marketing campaign. If accurate, this would make it the most expensive Indian film ever made, surpassing RRR, Ramayana, and Adipurush in terms of scale and ambition.
But there’s a twist: according to sources, no meeting has yet taken place between Shah Rukh and Mythri. Sources close to the actor claim he is entirely focused on King, his upcoming action film with daughter Suhana Khan and director Siddharth Anand. As per this report, SRK will only start exploring new projects towards the end of 2025.
Shah Rukh Khan may become India’s highest-paid actor with this upcoming filmGetty Images
Sukumar’s direction, Mythri’s ambition, but what’s next for SRK?
If the project with Mythri Movie Makers does move forward, it could redefine how pan-India films are conceived, taking advantage of Bollywood’s reach with South India’s storytelling prowess. Sukumar’s directorial vision paired with SRK’s stardom might be the crossover moment Indian cinema has long awaited.
However, it’s important to note that nothing has been officially announced. The speculation may be premature, especially since SRK is currently tied up with King, expected to start production in early 2026. Until he wraps that, other projects remain on hold.
Pan-India film with ₹1000 crore budget reportedly being planned with Shah Rukh KhanGetty Images
For now, fans are watching closely. Whether or not this massive collaboration materialises, the very idea that Indian cinema is inching toward £95 million (₹1,000 crore) productions, with actors commanding £28.5 million (₹300 crore) fees, is itself proof that the stakes have never been higher.
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Elizabeth Hurley poses nude in a field to mark her 60th birthday
Elizabeth Hurley isn’t holding back as she steps into her sixties. On 10 June, the Bedazzled star celebrated her milestone birthday by posting a nude photo taken in a field, using nothing but her pose and a necklace. In the caption, she reflected on an emotional and eventful year, describing it as a “wild ride” and revealing she’s “in love” with country star Billy Ray Cyrus.
Alongside the image, Hurley highlighted three major personal landmarks: 30 years working with Estée Lauder, 20 years of her swimwear label Elizabeth Hurley Beach, and her new romance. “Feeling very blessed and grateful for having the best friends and family in the world,” she wrote.
Hurley and Cyrus find love after reconnecting post-divorce
Hurley and Cyrus met on the set of the 2022 holiday film Christmas in Paradise. Although there was some sparks at the time, they lost touch and reconnected in 2024, after Cyrus ended his short-lived marriage to singer Firerose. It was Hurley who reportedly reached out during his divorce, a message that led to a deeper connection.
By April 2025, the pair made their relationship public on Instagram. The singer later posted a birthday message calling Hurley “the love of my life.”
Hurley confirms her relationship with country singer Billy Ray CyrusCosmopolitan
The couple also made a red carpet appearance together in Rome on 24 May, further confirming the romance. While Cyrus has faced strained relationships with some of his children, particularly daughter Miley, reports suggest he’s trying to rebuild those ties. Miley, who cut off contact with her father in 2023, has softened her stance, recently saying that while it was difficult at first, “everyone deserves to be happy.”
Family support and healing amid past drama
Hurley’s son, 23-year-old Damian, commented warmly on her birthday post, calling her his “best friend forever.” Friends and celebrities, including Heidi Klum and Sarah Michelle Gellar, also sent their love. Meanwhile, insiders say Cyrus is now prioritising family time and hopes his relationship with Hurley marks a new chapter, both personally and publicly.
Damian Hurley calls his mother his best friend in a birthday tributeGetty Images
As Hurley embraces 60 with confidence, she seems set on making this decade her boldest one yet.
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Enrique Iglesias returns to India with a massive concert planned in Mumbai
After more than a decade, Enrique Iglesias is finally returning to India. The Spanish superstar, best known for global hits like Hero, Bailamos, and Rhythm Divine, is scheduled to perform in Mumbai on 30 October 2025 at the MMRDA Grounds, BKC. This will be his first show in India since 2012, when he toured Pune, Gurugram, and Bengaluru as part of his Euphoria world tour. The upcoming concert is part of Iglesias’s current global run and will take place just before his Abu Dhabi stop.
Organised by EVA Live and BEW Live, the Mumbai gig promises a packed venue with over 30,000 fans expected. According to organisers, Iglesias will perform a setlist spanning his three-decade-long career, mixing early 2000s classics with recent hits. EVA Live’s founder Deepak Chaudhary called the show a “historic moment,” highlighting India’s growing appetite for iconic international acts. “The enthusiasm among fans is real. This show is about celebrating that global connection through music,” he said in a statement.
Indian fans gear up for Enrique Iglesias’ comeback performance after 13 yearsGetty Images
The production team has hinted at a full-scale arena experience, with elaborate visuals, lights, and staging tailored for a large-scale outdoor show. The concert will also offer special curated experiences for Mastercard users, including backstage access and artist interactions.
Tickets, presale access and how to register
Registrations are now open on the District App, with tickets to be released in phases. The first phase of Mastercard-exclusive presale starts on Friday, 20 June at 12 pm IST via Priceless.com, and ends on Sunday, 22 June at 12 pm IST.
A second Mastercard-only window will open on 22 June (12 pm IST) and close by 27 June (12 pm IST), this time on the District App. General sales will go live on 27 June at 5 pm IST.
Enrique Iglesias confirms Mumbai concert with career-spanning setlistGetty Images
Fans have been thrilled about the announcement online. “A dream come true,” one user posted. “No Delhi show but I’m booking tickets to Mumbai anyway,” wrote another. Following a string of recent high-profile international shows in India, from Coldplay and Ed Sheeran to Maroon 5, Enrique’s return is another big win for Indian concertgoers.