Actress-dancer Nora Fatehi recently opened up about her experience of performing at the FIFA closing ceremony.
In an exclusive conversation with ANI, the actress said, "It feels amazing; it's a fantastic, life-changing experience."
"I think it was a mind-blowing experience when I was performing in front of billions of people. It was a life-changing moment for me," she added.
Nora performed at the closing ceremony of the FIFA World Cup last year. Fatehi performed the song 'Light the Sky' alongside Balqees, Rahma Raid, and Manal.
Nora also revealed her love for food and how she stays active.
"I love eating. I can eat anything - sweets, ice creams, chocolates. I go swimming, and I dance a lot during rehearsals and shoots, so that's my exercise. And I'm constantly running around, which is also exercise," she shared.
Nora further spoke about balancing her roles as an actor, producer, singer, dancer, and performer.
"I just work. I'm alive for work. I work in the morning, I work at night," the actress said.
Nora Fatehi started her career in Bollywood with the film Roar: Tigers of the Sundarbans in 2014. She is known for her dance performances in movies like Baahubali: The Beginning and Satyamev Jayate.
She appeared opposite Varun Dhawan in Street Dancer 3D. She was recognized for her role in Batla House with the Best Supporting Actress award at the 66th Filmfare Awards. Apart from this, the actress has been a judge on shows like Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa and India's Best Dancer.
Lois & Clark actor Dean Cain says he’ll be sworn in “ASAP” as an ICE agent.
The announcement follows his support of Trump’s £59 billion ($75 billion/₹6.3 lakh crore) ICE expansion plan.
Cain’s move has divided fans, given Superman’s status as an immigrant hero.
ICE raids under Trump’s return have triggered national protests and legal challenges.
Former Superman star Dean Cain has announced he is joining the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), aligning himself with Donald Trump’s revived immigration crackdown. Cain said he will be sworn in “as soon as possible” after sharing a recruitment video for the federal agency on his social media and appearing on Fox News to express support for the administration’s mass deportation drive.
The former actor, best known for playing Clark Kent in the 1990s series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, cited patriotism and public duty as key reasons behind his decision. His statement comes at a time when ICE has seen a significant boost in funding and power under Trump’s second term, fuelling controversy and unrest across the U.S.
Superman star Dean Cain to be sworn in as ICE agent to back Trump’s deportation plan Getty Images
Why did Dean Cain join ICE?
Dean Cain said his decision followed a wave of public interest after he posted an ICE recruitment video on Instagram. Speaking to Jesse Watters on Fox News, he revealed he had since been in touch with ICE officials and planned to be sworn in as an agent imminently.
Cain, who is already a reserve police officer and sworn deputy sheriff, said: “This country was built on patriots stepping up, whether it was popular or not… I believe this is the right thing.”
He went on to defend Trump’s actions, saying the president is simply delivering what voters demanded, and that helping enforce immigration law is “doing his part.”
— (@)
What is ICE’s new immigration agenda under Trump?
ICE has dramatically increased its daily operations since Trump returned to the White House. Backed by a £59 billion ($75 billion/₹6.3 lakh crore) funding boost – part of Trump’s self-described “big beautiful bill” – the agency is now aiming for a minimum of 3,000 arrests per day. The funds are also being used to hire 10,000 additional agents by 2029.
But ICE’s aggressive tactics have drawn widespread criticism. Legal residents, undocumented immigrants, and even U.S. citizens have been swept up in large-scale raids. Critics say many are being denied fair legal representation or subjected to rushed deportation proceedings.
What has the reaction been to Cain’s announcement?
Cain’s involvement with ICE has drawn sharp responses online, particularly from fans who remember him as Superman, an alien character who champions justice and inclusion.
“Shame on you, Dean, this is the most un-Superman thing you could do,” one fan commented on Instagram. Others called his decision “morally disappointing,” while some supported his call to “protect America’s borders.”
Cain shrugged off the backlash, stating plainly, “Not a chance,” when asked if Superman would disapprove.
Has Cain spoken on immigration before?
Yes. Cain has previously voiced concerns over what he describes as the erosion of American values and borders. In July, he criticised James Gunn’s Superman reboot for being too “woke,” after the director reemphasised Superman’s immigrant identity in the story.
Cain told TMZ: “We know Superman is an immigrant, he’s a freaking alien… But there have to be limits.”
He also questioned Hollywood’s direction, asking why long-established characters like Superman and Snow White are being reimagined to suit modern narratives.
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Shwetha Menon moves Kerala High Court to quash FIR over ‘obscene scenes’ in films
FIR filed against Shwetha Menon for alleged obscene roles and ads under IT and Immoral Traffic Acts.
Complaint filed by activist Martin Menachery, citing her past films and a condom ad.
Menon calls the case baseless, claims it was filed to sabotage her presidential run.
Kerala High Court stays proceedings, questions legality of the FIR procedure.
Malayalam actor Shwetha Menon is at the centre of a legal storm after an FIR was registered against her for allegedly performing in films and advertisements containing vulgar content. The case comes just as Menon is contesting to become the first woman president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), raising questions about its timing and motive.
FIR against Shwetha Menon sparks debate on artistic freedom in Malayalam cinemaInstagram/shwetha_menon
What are the charges against Shwetha Menon?
The FIR, registered by the Ernakulam Central Police, cites Sections 67A of the Information Technology Act and Sections 3 and 5 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956. It accuses Menon of acting in films and ads with sexually explicit visuals that were allegedly circulated online to gain financial profit.
The complaint, filed by social activist Martin Menachery, specifically refers to her performances in Rathinirvedam, Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha, Kalimannu, and a condom advertisement. According to the complainant, these works were misused to upload content on adult websites and social media for commercial benefit.
Shwetha Menon challenges obscenity FIR, says scenes were cleared by censor boardPinklungi
Why has the Kerala High Court intervened?
On Thursday, the Kerala High Court issued a stay on further proceedings in the case. Justice VG Arun stated that procedural safeguards under Section 175(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) may not have been followed before forwarding the complaint to the police. The court has asked the concerned magistrate to clarify whether proper procedure, including preliminary inquiry and police reporting, was observed.
Shwetha Menon’s legal team argued that the FIR was filed in haste and without substantial evidence. In her petition, Menon claimed that the allegations are "absurd and unfounded," adding that all films mentioned in the complaint were certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and lawfully released.
Actor Shwetha Menon seeks to quash case over 'indecent' film contentInstagram/shwetha_menon
Is this linked to her AMMA presidential campaign?
The timing of the FIR has sparked widespread speculation within the Malayalam film industry. Menon is currently one of the leading contenders for the president’s post at Malayalam actors’ film body elections, an election set for 15 August. Several other nominees, including Jagadeesh, have withdrawn, leaving Menon as a strong frontrunner.
Her petition notes that the complaint was filed on the very last day for nomination withdrawals, suggesting a possible attempt to derail her candidacy. Supporters within the industry, including actors Maala Parvathi and Raveendran, have voiced concerns that the case is politically motivated.
If elected, Shwetha Menon would become AMMA’s first female president in its 31-year history. The post became vacant after actor Mohanlal stepped down following controversies highlighted by the Justice Hema Committee Report on internal industry practices.
Shwetha Menon faces obscenity case, claims it’s a witch-hunt by actors’ bodyInstagram/shwetha_menon
Who is Shwetha Menon and why is this case controversial?
Shwetha Menon is a two-time Kerala State Film Award-winning actor known for her bold roles in Malayalam cinema. She has also appeared in Bollywood films such as Asoka and Bandhan and was a contestant on Bigg Boss Malayalam in 2018. Her recent Malayalam film Jankar was released in July, and she will next be seen in the action-thriller Karam.
Menon has denied any involvement in operating adult websites or profiting from the alleged circulation of film clips. Her lawyers argue that the case is a smear campaign intended to tarnish her public image and influence the election outcome.
Shwetha Menon during her modelling daysPinterest
With the High Court stay in place and a hearing pending, the controversy has not only stirred debate about artistic freedom and censorship but also highlighted the deep factionalism in Kerala's film industry.
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Vikrant Massey’s journey to a National Award through these powerful roles
Vikrant Massey won the National Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in 12th Fail
From emotional underdogs to intense anti-heroes, Massey has showcased unmatched versatility
His role in Sector 36 marked a dramatic shift from his usual image, earning critical acclaim
Massey's upcoming role as Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in White promises another transformation
With no industry backing, Vikrant’s steady rise proves raw talent still matters in Bollywood
Let’s just say it: Vikrant Massey is having the moment. After quietly stacking up powerful performances over the years, the 12th Fail actor finally bagged the National Award, and it feels like the whole country is catching up to what his longtime fans already knew: the man can act.
No frills, no gimmicks, no star kid privileges. Just raw talent, vulnerability, and an uncanny ability to disappear into any character, be it a lovesick small-town boy, a haunted journalist, or a cold-blooded killer. Vikrant Massey isn’t just versatile; he’s fearless.
Here’s a look at the performances that didn’t just win over audiences but proved that Massey is the quiet force Bollywood didn’t see coming.
1. 12th Fail – The underdog who became a national inspiration
In what is now his most celebrated performance, Vikrant played Manoj Kumar Sharma, a boy from rural India who fights every odd to become an IPS officer. It wasn’t just acting; it felt like lived experience. His honesty, innocence, and emotional range in this role made it impossible not to root for him. It won him a National Award, yes, but more importantly, it gave us a new kind of hero on screen: one who doesn’t roar, but rises.
Vikrant Massey’s top roles that led to his National Award win
2. Sector 36 – Massey, but make it menacing
Gone was the sweet boy next door. In this gritty thriller, Vikrant flipped his image and delivered a performance that chilled to the bone. As a morally grey character surrounded by crime and chaos, he proved that he’s not just comfortable in dark spaces; in fact, he thrives in them. It was a career-defining shift that made everyone sit up and say: he can do this too?
6 performances that prove Vikrant Massey earned his National Award
3. Haseen Dillruba – The lover, the simp, the storm
Rishu was awkward, shy, and hopelessly in love, but Vikrant gave him such layered depth that you never knew when sympathy would turn into suspicion. His slow-burn transformation from soft to scary made this twisted romantic thriller all the more unpredictable. It wasn’t just a supporting role; it was the emotional backbone of the film.
Vikrant Massey’s most powerful roles from 12th Fail to Sector 36
4. The Sabarmati Report – Truth hurts, and he made sure we felt it
Based on a real-life tragedy, this film saw Vikrant play a journalist caught between justice and politics. He brought empathy and urgency to the screen, carrying the weight of grief, truth, and moral complexity with striking restraint. Not many actors could've pulled off this kind of role without turning it preachy. Massey did it with quiet fire.
Vikrant Massey proves his acting range with these six standout roles
5. Lootera – Small role, massive impact
Even in a film headlined by Ranveer Singh and Sonakshi Sinha, Vikrant held his own. As the loyal friend Devdas, he delivered a performance so grounded and heartfelt, it lingered long after the credits rolled. No theatrics, just sincerity, and that’s always been his superpower.
From underdog to National Award winner Vikrant Massey’s finest work
6. Coming up: Playing Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in White
Vikrant is set to step into the shoes of spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in his upcoming biopic White. It’s yet another departure from anything he’s done before, and given his track record, we have no doubt he’ll pull it off with quiet brilliance.
Vikrant Massey to headline ‘The Sabarmati Report’ AFP via Getty Images
The bottom line?
Vikrant Massey doesn’t chase the spotlight. He earns it. While others chase stardom, he builds a legacy, one unforgettable role at a time. And honestly? We’re just lucky to watch it unfold.
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How Sydney Sweeney’s silent ad campaign became a Republican rally cry
Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle ad sparked backlash over a “genes/jeans” pun
Critics accused it of echoing eugenics and white supremacist rhetoric
Public records revealed Sweeney is a registered Republican
Donald Trump praised her and attacked Taylor Swift in the same post
American Eagle stock soared as the ad became a right-wing rallying point
Let’s be honest: no one expected a jeans ad to spiral into this. Not Sydney Sweeney, not American Eagle, and definitely not the internet and yet, here we are.
It started with a dumb pun. It exploded into a cultural war. Now it’s a headline-grabbing mess involving eugenics, Republicans, and Donald Trump shouting into Truth Social. Somehow, a 27-year-old actress became the poster girl for a movement she hasn’t even acknowledged.
Here’s how it all unravelled.
The controversial American Eagle ad featuring Sydney Sweeney in head-to-toe denim Instagram/americaneagle
1. The ad: A pun so bad, it started a fire
On 23 July, American Eagle dropped a denim ad with Sydney Sweeney, best known for Euphoria and The White Lotus. In the clip, she says:
“Genes are passed down from parents... My jeans are blue.”
It was supposed to be cheeky. It ended up setting X and TikTok on fire. Critics accused the ad of echoing white supremacist rhetoric, especially with a blue-eyed, blonde actress talking about “genes.” The line between “playful” and “problematic” blurred, fast. The internet saw something way darker and it was just getting started.
People didn’t hold back. Users called the ad tone-deaf, dog-whistling, and straight-up “eugenics-coded.” Words like “Aryan” and “racial superiority” were trending. Even though it was likely just a bad pun from an overconfident marketing team, the optics were bad. Really bad.
It reeked of eugenics (that vile, discredited pseudo-science about "superior" genetics). "Literal Nazi propaganda," some screamed. "Tone-deaf!" "Promoting racial superiority!"
Others scratched their heads: "It's just jeans, people! Lighten up!" Too late. The fuse was lit. The internet doesn’t do nuance.
3. The plot twist: Then, her political registration leaked
Soon after the outrage, someone dug up public records showing Sweeney registered as a Republican in Florida, just a month after Donald Trump’s criminal conviction.
This revived an earlier controversy. Remember 2022? Photos surfaced from her mum's party with guests wearing "Make Sixty Great Again" hats (a MAGA parody). Sweeney pleaded then: "Stop making assumptions... an innocent celebration."
With her Republican registration now public, assumptions came flooding back, and this time, they stuck.
Now? Crickets. Total, deafening silence from Sweeney.
Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle ad sparked backlash over a “genes/jeans” punInstagram/americaneagle
4. Enter Trump: "She's HOT! (And Republican!)"
On 3 August, a reporter told Trump about Sweeney’s political affiliation while he was boarding Air Force One. He lit up:
“She’s a Republican? Oh, now I love her ad!”
Two days later, he took to Truth Social with a post praising her, saying "Sydney Sweeney, a registered Republican, has the 'HOTTEST' ad out there... Go get 'em Sydney!" and claimed American Eagle jeans were “flying off the shelves.”
He misspelled her name as “Sidney.” He didn’t correct it. He didn’t need to. He’d made his point.
— (@)
5. Trump's double tap: Slamming Swift & "woke losers"
In the same post, Trump lashed out at Taylor Swift, again:
“I HATE her... She was booed out of the Super Bowl and is NO LONGER HOT.”
(Spoiler: She wasn’t booed, and she’s still doing just fine.)
He then blamed Jaguar and Bud Light for going “woke” and declared that being Republican is now “what you want to be.” Sweeney wasn't just selling jeans anymore; Trump drafted her as the star recruit in his anti-woke army.
Donald Trump praised her and attacked Taylor Swift in the same postX Screengrab/Pop Base
6. JD Vance and right-wing media pile on
US Vice President JD Vance joined the conversation, calling Sweeney an “All-American girl” and mocking liberals for “calling everyone who finds her attractive a Nazi.”
Conservative media roared. This wasn't about an ad anymore; it was a glorious battle against "cancel culture" lunacy. Sweeney, silent as a stone, was now their accidental poster child. The narrative was simple: look at how crazy the left is, cancelling a girl for selling jeans.
— (@)
7. American Eagle held its ground and made a profit
Instead of apologising, American Eagle stood by the ad:
"Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans is and always was about the jeans. Her jeans. Her story... Great jeans look good on everyone."
AE's stock price skyrocketed over 20%. They doubled down on inclusivity, and ironically, the controversy gave them a boost. The value? 10 or 20 times the ad spend! Marketing experts said the viral attention (good or bad) paid off tenfold.
No statement. No apology. No clapback. Just silence.
Which is smart, maybe. Or maybe it’s avoidance. Either way, people are filling in the blanks for her. Some see her as a symbol of resistance. Others see her as complicit. The truth? Only she knows. But in today’s world, silence often becomes its own kind of answer.
As one blunt PR expert warned: "She’s a bombshell, but she’s not box office yet... It’ll be carnage."
— (@)
9. Career-wise, this could go either way
Sweeney’s team probably hoped this would blow over. But Trump’s full-throated endorsement has ensured it won’t.
PR experts say this level of politicisation can hurt, especially for someone still building their star power. As a strategist put it: “She’s not Margot Robbie yet. This could backfire.”
She’s now a trending name, yes, but not for her work. That’s a dangerous spot to be in for an actor with ambition.
Sydney Sweeney’s ad started as a joke — now it’s a political firestormGetty Images
10. The real story isn’t about jeans
This isn’t about denim anymore. Or even Sydney Sweeney, really.
It’s about how a single sentence in a fashion ad cracked open every fault line in American pop culture, race, beauty standards, cancel culture, and politics. And how public figures get swept into battles they didn’t sign up for.
One poorly written pun turned into a culture war grenade. And Sweeney? She’s now stuck in the blast radius, like it or not.
— (@)
So... what was this really about?
Let's be brutally honest. That ad was clumsy. The "genes" bit with Sweeney's look? Yeah, it was tone-deaf at best, grossly insensitive at worst. It deserved criticism. But what happened next? That wasn't about the ad. It was about the hunger for a fight.
Sydney Sweeney probably just wanted to sell jeans. What she ended up selling, unintentionally, was a case study in how fame works now. You don’t need to say anything controversial. The internet will do it for you. Then Trump might repost it. Next, you're a symbol. Then you're a controversy.
And just like that, “great jeans” became a political statement, one pair of blue jeans at a time.
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Vidya Balan reveals filmmakers asked her to lose weight to appear younger than Shahid Kapoor in ‘Kismat Konnection’
Vidya Balan revealed she was asked to shed weight before Kismat Konnection to appear younger than Shahid Kapoor.
The actress opened up about the pressures of looking “young enough” to be cast opposite younger male actors.
She spoke about battling weight gain and harsh fitness routines that affected her health.
Vidya now follows an anti-inflammatory diet and has rejected unrealistic beauty standards.
Vidya Balan has once again highlighted the double standards of age and appearance in Bollywood. In a recent interview, the 46-year-old actor shared that she was once asked to lose weight just to appear younger than Shahid Kapoor for their 2008 film Kismat Konnection. She recalled being pressured to meet industry expectations tied to male co-stars' ages, an issue she believes still persists despite recent progress.
Vidya Balan opens up about body image pressure in BollywoodGetty Images
Why was Vidya Balan told to look younger than Shahid Kapoor?
In a recent interview, Vidya Balan recalled being advised to lose weight before filming Kismat Konnection because Shahid Kapoor was two years younger than her. “Someone actually called me and said, ‘You’re being cast opposite Shahid, who’s younger than you. So you must look younger than him on screen.’ That meant shedding weight,” she said.
Although the Aziz Mirza-directed film didn’t perform well commercially, its music became a hit. However, Vidya’s experience revealed a deeper problem in the industry: casting often came with conditions about physical appearance, especially for women.
Shahid Kapoor and Vidya Balan in a promotional still from Kismat KonnectionNetflix Screengrab
How long did the pressure to lose weight last?
The actress revealed that she received such calls from filmmakers regularly until 2019. “I’d get asked on almost every project if I could shed some weight,” she shared. “If I could do it easily, I would’ve done it for myself, not just for a film.”
Vidya emphasised that these requests came even when her role didn’t require any particular look. This constant scrutiny led her to struggle with her body image. “I was barely eating and training like crazy, but still gaining weight,” she added. Eventually, she discovered her body was undergoing hormonal distress that no amount of exercise could fix.
Vidya Balan says she was told to look younger than Shahid Kapoor in Kismat KonnectionGetty Images
What helped Vidya Balan finally lose weight?
Contrary to common fitness advice, Vidya’s recent transformation wasn’t due to intense workouts. She shared that a Chennai-based nutritional group, Amura, advised her to stop working out and focus instead on anti-inflammatory foods. “They told me to stop pushing myself in the gym and cut out foods that were triggering my system,” she said.
Following this customised nutritional plan, Vidya successfully lost several kilos, weight she had struggled with for years. More importantly, she regained a sense of control over her body without compromising her health or mental well-being.
Vidya Balan reveals she faced pressure to lose weight for younger male co-starsGetty Images
What is Vidya Balan's stance on body image today?
Known for her outspoken support of body positivity, Vidya no longer tolerates body-shaming disguised as professional advice. “If you want a different body type, cast someone else. If you want me, take me as I am,” she now tells filmmakers.
Earlier, in an interview, she said, “I’ve had people tell me I should work on myself and lose weight. But I actually believe there’s nothing wrong with me.”
Vidya Balan says Bollywood demanded she look younger to be cast opposite Shahid KapoorGetty Images
Vidya continues to challenge outdated industry norms through her words and actions. Her journey not only reflects her personal resilience but also mirrors the broader conversation about ageism and appearance in Indian cinema.