STREAMING platform Prime Video has released the teaser for the second season of its popular series, Paatal Lok.
The teaser, shared on Prime Video’s official social media pages on Friday, features actor Jaideep Ahlawat reprising his role as Hathi Ram Chaudhary, a police inspector entangled in gripping mysteries.
The teaser offers a glimpse of Ahlawat’s character narrating a new story. Similar to the first season, which drew inspiration from the Hindu epic Mahabharata, the new season continues the trend of presenting allegorical tales.
Standing in an elevator, Hathi Ram narrates the story of a man who kills a bug under his bed, believing the problem is resolved.
However, he soon faces a swarm of insects. "Poor guy, he thought he killed one insect and the game is over. That's not how it works, not down here in Paatal Lok," Ahlawat says in the teaser.
Actors Ishwak Singh and Gul Panag will return for the second season, joined by newcomers Tillotama Shome, Nagesh Kukunoor, and Jahnu Barua.
The series is written and created by Sudip Sharma, with the second season directed by Avinash Arun Dhaware.
Paatal Lok Season 2 is a Clean Slate Filmz production in collaboration with Eunoia Films LLP. The eight-episode season will premiere on Prime Video on 17 January.
Ananya Panday is no stranger to the spotlight, but she’s also tired of being stuck under a microscope. In a recent chat with Lilly Singh on her podcast Shame Less, the actor spoke honestly about the constant criticism of her body and the double standards women face in the film industry.
Ananya recalled the early days of her career when, at 18, she was mocked for being too thin. Terms like “chicken legs” and “matchstick” were thrown at her regularly. “They said I had no boobs, no butt, like a flat-screen,” she shared. Fast forward a few years, and as her body naturally changed, new rumours popped up, but this time accusing her of undergoing cosmetic surgery. “Now they say I’ve had my butt done. You can never win,” she said.
What hits harder for Ananya is that this scrutiny often comes from other women. “The harshest comments I get are from women. I rarely see this happening to male actors,” she said, pointing out the gender gap in how public figures are judged.
But Ananya doesn’t shy away from taking responsibility either. She admitted that Bollywood films, including some of her own, have pushed unrealistic beauty ideals. “We’ve shown women waking up with perfect hair and makeup. That’s not real life. I’ve been part of that narrative, and I’m trying to be more aware of it now,” she said. Off camera, she tries to keep things real, reminding her followers that what they see on screen isn’t always the truth.
This honesty is, in fact, a shift in Ananya’s journey, from someone who once felt pressured to fit in, to an actor willing to question the norms she’s grown up with. Her recent work also reflects that change. From light-hearted romances to more grounded roles like her turn as a lawyer in Kesari: Chapter 2, Ananya is clearly making deliberate choices.
Women in the public eye are constantly judged, but it’s time to break that cycle. “If I talk about it, maybe one other girl will feel less alone,” she said. That, perhaps, is the quiet power behind her loudest statement yet.
A possible next-gen upgrade for Red Dead Redemption 2 has surfaced following a reported leak, suggesting Rockstar Games may soon bring its award-winning title to Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5.
The information comes via GameReactor, which claims to have spoken to a source close to Rockstar. According to the report, an enhanced version of the game is in development, although no official announcement has been made. As such, the details should be treated as unconfirmed.
Red Dead Redemption 2 was originally released in 2018 for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. While it remains visually impressive even by today's standards, fans have long called for an updated version that fully utilises the capabilities of newer consoles. At present, the game runs on next-gen hardware only via backwards compatibility, without dedicated performance or visual upgrades.
The leak also mentions the possibility of Red Dead Redemption 2 being re-released on the rumoured Nintendo Switch 2. While this claim has raised eyebrows, it comes alongside reports that Cyberpunk 2077 is also heading to the upcoming Nintendo console, lending some credibility to the idea.
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It is not yet known whether the upgrade would be available as a free update for current owners, or sold as a new edition. Should Rockstar decide to charge for the enhanced version, it could prompt criticism from players, especially as the studio has previously offered limited free upgrade paths.
The potential upgrade arrives amid ongoing frustration among fans over the delay of Grand Theft Auto VI, now expected in May 2026. A next-gen re-release of Red Dead Redemption 2 could help maintain interest and goodwill in the interim.
The leak further suggests Rockstar may also be planning a new version of Grand Theft Auto IV. Rather than a full remaster, this is believed to be a re-release featuring improved resolution and framerate, along with all previously released DLC content.
If confirmed, both titles could mark a busy year for Rockstar, even without the launch of its next major instalment. However, until an official statement is released, the reported leaks remain speculative.
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Remaining matches will be held at six venues, with Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Dharamsala removed from the schedule.
The Indian Premier League resumes on Saturday, eight days after it was suspended due to escalating tensions along the India-Pakistan border.
Most foreign players who left the country after the suspension have now returned. The tournament was halted on May 8 during a match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala, which was stopped after 10.1 overs when rockets landed 80km away. That game will now be played on 24 May in Jaipur.
Remaining matches will be held at six venues, with Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Dharamsala removed from the schedule.
The Pakistan Super League also restarts on Saturday. It had considered relocating to the UAE before suspension. Its final is now on 25 May, with matches limited to Rawalpindi and Lahore. Only Multan has lost hosting rights.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru will face Kolkata Knight Riders in the first of 13 remaining IPL league games, followed by playoffs from 29 May and the final on 3 June.
The revised IPL schedule overlaps with England’s ODI series against West Indies starting 29 May. Cricket West Indies released Sherfane Rutherford and Romario Shepherd to remain in India. Some players, including Mitchell Starc and Sam Curran, have opted not to return. Temporary replacements are allowed.
This May, Birmingham Hippodrome will present Bibi Rukiya’s Reckless Daughter, a powerful dance-theatre production by acclaimed choreographer Amina Khayyam. Running on Thursday 22 and Friday 23 May, the show explores how patriarchy is not only imposed by men but also reinforced by women within family structures. Through a striking fusion of contemporary and classical South Asian dance, the performance offers a fresh and thought-provoking perspective on tradition, control, and female agency.
Bibi Rukiya’s Reckless Daughter highlights the often-overlooked role women play in maintaining patriarchal values. Mothers, grandmothers, and other female relatives sometimes enforce social rules that restrict younger women’s freedom, passing down expectations through generations. Khayyam’s choreography captures this tension, portraying the conflict between obedience and rebellion with emotional intensity.
Blending classical Kathak with modern dance theatre, Khayyam uses movement and storytelling to examine cultural identity and gender roles. Her work invites the audience to engage with uncomfortable truths about power and tradition, making the performance both visually captivating and intellectually challenging.
Taking place at the Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre in Southside Birmingham, this intimate venue provides the ideal setting for an immersive and impactful performance. The theatre’s commitment to diverse and innovative productions makes it a fitting home for Khayyam’s exploration of social norms.
Tickets are available at www.birminghamhippodrome.com. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to witness a fearless artistic exploration of how women both challenge and uphold patriarchy within families.
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Users experiencing ongoing problems have been advised to try again later
Tesco has issued an apology after a software problem caused disruptions to its website and mobile app, leaving some customers unable to manage online orders or access digital versions of their Clubcards.
The issue occurred on Friday afternoon, with users taking to social media to report problems ranging from being unable to amend their online grocery orders to difficulties accessing their Clubcard accounts. Some customers also reported being unable to use vouchers or collect points while shopping.
A Tesco spokesperson confirmed the incident had been resolved later that day. “We have fixed a software issue that temporarily impacted customers using our website and app this afternoon,” the spokesperson said. “We're sorry for the inconvenience.”
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Tesco's customer service team acknowledged the problem in responses on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), telling users the company was experiencing "intermittent system issues" and that its IT team was working to fix the situation.
Outage tracking site Downdetector reported a spike in issues with Tesco’s digital services shortly after 14:00 BST, with complaints gradually subsiding around two hours later. Some users, however, stated they had faced problems for up to four hours.
The disruption affected Tesco’s digital Clubcard system, which is used by millions of customers to access discounts and collect loyalty points. In early 2024, Tesco reported that its Clubcard scheme had over 20 million members across the UK.
Despite the timing of the outage and recent cyber attacks affecting other major UK retailers such as Marks and Spencer and the Co-op, there is no indication that Tesco’s problems were linked to a cybersecurity incident.
Tesco, the UK's largest supermarket chain, has not released further details on the nature of the software issue, but reassured customers that the matter had been addressed. Users experiencing ongoing problems have been advised to try again later or seek assistance via customer services.