Saif Ali Khan recently blasted Bollywood for its sudden outpouring of love for late actor Sushant Singh Rajput after he ended his life on Sunday. Khan feels that a day of silence or introspection would be more appropriate than the hypocrisy of pretending to care.
Hitting out at those posting nonsensical comments in the wake of the tragedy, the National Film Award-winning actor says, “There are so many people who have made comments so quickly. And it just seems to me that people are somewhere gaining some mileage from this poor fellow’s tragedy, you know, whether it is to show compassion or to show interest or to show some political stance. So many people are talking rubbish in this nonstop kind of barrage on social media and it is just embarrassing, really, I think.”
The actor goes on to add, “Out of respect for him, for Sushant’s tragedy, maybe a day of silence or introspection would be a little more becoming than this outpouring of love – an outpouring of love from people who obviously did not care about him and people who famously don’t care about anybody else.”
Saif Ali Khan will be seen sharing the screen space with Sushant Singh Rajput in the upcoming film Dil Bechara. Helmed by renowned casting director Mukesh Chhabra, the romantic movie will mark Singh’s final appearance on the silver screen.
About his memories of the late actor, Khan says, “I think he had very refined looks. He was a good-looking guy. He was very talented. He was a little edgy. When I met him, I thought he was a little on the edge. I think he was looking for something. He was interested in the same things as me in some ways. Like he liked astronomy, and he liked, you know, discussing some of this philosophy and talking about some stuff, which, you know, one dabbles in as an amateur.”
• Azealia Banks posts screenshots of alleged messages from MMA fighter Conor McGregor • Claims include receipt of unsolicited nude photos • Original tweets removed by platform for violating content rules • McGregor has not publicly responded
Azealia Banks accuses Conor McGregor of sending explicit photos
Azealia Banks has taken to social media to share screenshots of direct messages and alleged nude photos reportedly sent by MMA fighter Conor McGregor. The posts, which surfaced on 14 July, included explicit images and suggestive messages. The authenticity of the content has not been independently verified, and McGregor has not commented publicly.
Removed PostsX/ Azealia Banks
Removed PostsX/ Azealia Banks
Removed PostsX/ Azealia Banks
Banks posts screenshots and criticises McGregor
The screenshots shared by Banks appeared to show McGregor sending explicit images, including one with a caption referencing lifting weights. In one of her tweets, Banks questioned the motive behind the alleged messages, writing, “How are you really going to sexually harass me with the potato farmer dick then threaten me not to tell?”
She further claimed that the pair had been exchanging “unsolicited nudes” since 2016, adding that she had never met McGregor in person. The rapper also made a reference to his birthday and mocked speculation about his potential political ambitions in Ireland.
Platform removes content and suspends Banks
— (@)
The original tweets, which featured the explicit photos, were taken down by X (formerly Twitter) for violating its guidelines. Banks later revealed that her account had received a 12-hour suspension as a result. She acknowledged the penalty on Instagram, writing, “Got me. It’s been fun.”
McGregor remains silent
She further claimed that the pair had been exchanging “unsolicited nudes” since 2016Getty Images
Conor McGregor, who has been in a relationship with Dee Devlin since 2008, has not issued any public statement regarding the alleged messages or photos. There has been no confirmation from his representatives about the claims made by Banks.
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A poignant evening unfolded at The Chambers, Taj 51 Buckingham Gate, where storytelling met soul-searching in an unforgettable conversation between Bollywood icon Manisha Koirala and creative visionary Manish Tiwari. Hosted by Here & Now 365, the event wasn't just a rendezvous of film lovers and cultural figures; it was a moment of collective pause, reflection, and renewed strength.
Actress, activist, and cancer survivor Manisha Koirala’s presence radiated both dignity and depth. Her journey, marked by painful valleys and soaring recoveries, became a guiding light for everyone in the room.
“Resilience isn’t a heroic burst,” Manisha said softly, “it’s a series of small choices, made moment by moment.”
These words captured the essence of a woman who had once faced death and emerged with more life than ever before. Her candid recounting of her diagnosis, treatment, and emotional tumult was far from a scripted memoir; it was raw, real, and quietly transformative. “When the doctor told me I had ovarian cancer, I thought, ‘This is it. I’m going to die.” The room fell into an uneasy silence, broken only by her own calm voice. “But by the grace of God, I didn’t. I learned to live again.”
Now cancer-free for over a decade, Manisha wears her scars not as symbols of suffering, but of survival. “Cancer taught me how fragile life is, and how full of grace it can still be.” Her message to the community was loud and clear: take nothing for granted, guard your health, value your people, and embrace life… not with fear, but with fullness.
A life shaped by legacy and loss
Manish Tiwari opened the conversation by tracing her journey from Nepal, born into the influential Koirala family, known for producing four Prime Ministers, to the dazzling heights of Indian cinema. Raised partly in Banaras, partly in Kathmandu, Manisha’s early life was woven with politics, activism, and cultural richness. But the cinematic leap came unexpectedly. “I hadn’t even finished Class 12,” she laughed, “and suddenly I was standing next to Dilip Kumar and Raj Kumar on a film set!”
She described her debut with wide-eyed wonder, calling it “Alice in Wonderland… but scarier.” Though she had no background in acting, her performances quickly earned critical and commercial success. Yet fame, she said, was only one layer of the journey. “I burned out. I was working 18 to 19 hours a day… no holidays, no boundaries. Slowly, I started making bad films. I lost direction.”
When stardom faded, the soul spoke louder
And then came her diagnosis. “It shattered my world,” she admitted. From being the darling of millions to lying in a New York hospital, confronting her mortality, the fall was brutal. But the rise was even more beautiful. Her account of choosing life again of surrendering, healing, and seeking purpose, brought moist eyes and standing applause.
Throughout the talk, she emphasised how the real journey began after her illness. “I’m a Koirala woman — strong, stubborn, a little rebellious. Our women worked the fields and shaped history. That fire is in my blood.” She spoke about feminism, finding meaning in the roles she played, and how her heart sought characters that carried purpose.
“Even if the film didn’t do well, it didn’t matter. If the script opened my eyes, if it moved something in me, that’s what I lived for.”
For the soul, not the spotlight
She admitted to hitting rock bottom, professionally and personally, and spoke of rebuilding her identity from “minus and zero”. But never once did she sound bitter. Instead, there was acceptance. Grace.
Manisha also touched on Nepal’s political instability with cautious honesty. “I love my country deeply. But I worry- there’s a longing for dignity, for stability. We need to rebuild institutions, not just governments.”
A masterclass in living
The audience, a mix of diaspora professionals, art lovers, and well-wishers, sat rapt. They didn’t just meet a film star that evening. They met a truth-teller, a woman who had faced darkness and brought back light.
Her final takeaway? “Life is here today and gone tomorrow. So live it — fully, bravely, kindly.”
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Stuntman SM Raju dies during car stunt for Pa Ranjith’s film Vettuvan
Veteran stuntman SM Raju died while filming a car-toppling stunt for Vettuvan, directed by Pa Ranjith.
The car flipped uncontrollably during a high-speed sequence in Tamil Nadu on 13 July.
Actor Vishal, a close friend, confirmed the incident and promised to support Raju’s family.
Viral video of the crash has triggered online outrage and debate over stunt safety practices in Indian cinema.
Renowned stunt artist SM Raju lost his life on the set of Vettuvan, a Tamil film directed by Pa Ranjith and starring Arya, after a car stunt went horribly wrong. The fatal incident took place on Sunday morning, 13 July, during a high-speed sequence in Tamil Nadu’s Nagapattinam district.
A shocking video of the crash has surfaced online, showing Raju behind the wheel as the car speeds up a ramp, flips mid-air, and lands violently. He was pulled out of the wreckage by crew members but was declared dead shortly after.
SM Raju Times Now
Crew warned SM Raju not to perform the risky car stunt
According to actor K Vishal, Raju was advised against performing the dangerous stunt by the stunt choreographer Dhilip Subbarayan. Despite being offered a safer alternative using a cannon blast for the flip, Raju insisted on executing the full sequence himself.
“The choreographer told him to let someone else do the toppling, but Raju wouldn’t listen,” Vishal revealed. “There were no visible injuries, no bleeding, but he went numb after the topple.”
An autopsy is currently underway to determine the cause of death, as the lack of external trauma has puzzled the crew.
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Fans demand accountability after video of fatal crash surfaces
The video of the accident has gone viral, prompting widespread outrage over safety conditions on film sets. Social media users questioned why real-life stunt performers were still being used for such high-risk sequences when VFX or remote-controlled vehicles could have been employed.
One user wrote, “Why is a man still put in a car for such scenes? Isn’t it time to automate or use dummies?” Others demanded accountability from the director, producers, and union heads, urging financial support for Raju’s family.
Comments regarding the safety Twitter/
Industry mourns loss, calls for better safety norms for stunt performers
Raju, whose full name was Mohan Raj, was a 52-year-old veteran from Tamil Nadu’s Kanchipuram district. Known for his fearlessness and expertise in car stunts, he had worked on numerous action films over his decades-long career.
Actor Vishal, who served as general secretary of the South Indian Artistes Association, offered emotional tributes and pledged financial support to Raju’s wife and two children. He also highlighted systemic issues within the stunt community, stating that many performers avoid reporting injuries out of fear they won’t be hired again.
“There’s always an ambulance, doctor, and safety gear on sets,” Vishal said. “But the pressure to prove themselves leads many to take risks they shouldn’t.” Stunt choreographer Stunt Silva echoed the sentiments in an Instagram post: “We lost one of the best car stunt performers in the industry. He’ll be missed.”
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Pa Ranjith and Arya yet to issue official statement
As of now, neither Vettuvan director Pa Ranjith nor lead actor Arya has made a public comment about the accident. The film is in its final stages of production and features an ensemble cast, including Sobhita Dhulipala, Attakathi Dinesh, Kalaiyarasan, and Lingesh. The crew reportedly remains in shock following the tragedy, and industry insiders say an internal review of the incident is likely.
SM Raju’s death sparks urgent conversation around on-set safety
This incident has once again spotlighted the hidden dangers that stunt professionals face to deliver dramatic sequences on screen. While technological alternatives and safety guidelines exist, the culture of pushing personal limits continues to put lives at risk.
SM Raju’s death is not just a personal loss for those who knew him; it is a wake-up call for the film industry to re-examine its safety frameworks and prioritise the well-being of those behind the camera.
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Deepika Padukone as Veronica in Cocktail (2012) — a performance that redefined the Bollywood 'bad girl'
When Cocktail hit screens in 2012, it was supposed to be a Saif Ali Khan rom-com. Instead, it became Deepika Padukone’s breakthrough moment, largely thanks to her turn as Veronica, a character that was anything but the typical Bollywood heroine.
Now, 13 years on, it’s clear Cocktail wasn’t just a hit, it was a gamechanger. Here’s why Veronica remains one of the boldest characters of Deepika’s career, and arguably, a milestone in the way mainstream Hindi cinema wrote women.
Messy, magnetic, and miles ahead of her time — Deepika’s Veronica still hits different 13 years laterYoutube Screengrab
1. Veronica wasn’t made to be likeable—and that worked
She drank, she partied, she refused to apologise for being a mess. Bollywood had shown wild girls before, but usually only as cautionary tales. Veronica wasn’t punished for her flaws, she was allowed to feel, grow, and still not fit the box. For 2012, that was rare.
2. The emotional messiness felt honest
Deepika brought an unexpected vulnerability to Veronica. The crying in the bathroom, the reckless dancing, the craving for love under all the bravado, it wasn’t subtle, but it was real. That performance helped audiences take Veronica seriously, not just as a manic pixie contrast to the "good girl" Meera played by Diana Penty.
3. It wasn’t just a role—it was a career pivot
Even Deepika has said Veronica changed everything. After years of being seen as just a pretty face in glossy roles, Cocktail gave her the edge. It showed she could carry emotional weight, and wasn’t afraid to look messy while doing it. From here, her career took a sharper, more ambitious turn.
4. The music gave Veronica her own universe
It wasn’t just the acting, the soundtrack helped shape the film’s tone. Songs like Jugni, Tumhi Ho Bandhu, and Daaru Desi gave Veronica a carefree, chaotic rhythm that stuck. These tracks still pop up on nostalgia playlists, a decade later.
5. In hindsight, she was the real protagonist
While the film tried to balance the love triangle, it was Veronica’s arc that people remembered. Not because she got the guy, she didn’t, but because she evolved. She wasn’t a footnote in someone else’s story. She was the story.
Veronica wasn’t the ‘good girl’, but she made audiences feel everything — and Deepika nailed itYoutube Screengrab
She shifted how leading women were written
After Cocktail, Bollywood slowly started embracing female characters who didn’t always make the 'right' choices. Veronica made it okay to be complicated on screen. That legacy may not always be acknowledged, but it shows up in every “imperfect” female lead we see today.
Thirteen years since Cocktail released, Veronica remains one of Deepika Padukone’s most unforgettable charactersZEE5
Deepika Padukone may have played many iconic characters since, but Veronica remains a turning point for her and for Bollywood. Thirteen years on, she’s still the cool, chaotic outlier who made room for women to be more than just nice.
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South Park fans call out Paramount Plus for pulling the show worldwide
• South Park pulled from Paramount+ globally after licence expiry • Fans in UK, Canada, Australia, and Europe react with outrage • Dispute linked to £6.3 billion (₹673 billion) Paramount-Skydance merger and ongoing contract standoff • Season 27 premieres 23 July on Comedy Central in the US, leaving global fans stranded
Fans around the world are up in arms after South Park disappeared from Paramount+ outside the US. With just days to go until the season 27 premiere, international viewers are calling out Paramount Global for yanking the show due to a lapsed streaming deal and are threatening to cancel subscriptions over what they see as corporate mishandling.
Streaming blackout angers fans just days before new South Park seasonPrime Video
Paramount+ drops South Park amid licensing fallout
Viewers from the UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, and Latin America were left stunned last week when South Park vanished from Paramount+ in their regions. The move follows the expiration of an international streaming licence and ongoing tension between the show’s creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, and Paramount Global, which owns Comedy Central.
The timing couldn’t be worse: after a two-year wait, season 27 is set to debut on Comedy Central in the US on 23 July. But thanks to the unresolved deal, international fans are now scrambling to figure out how they’ll be able to watch the new episodes.
The backlash has been swift and loud. On Reddit and X, long-time viewers expressed frustration, many vowing to quit Paramount+ altogether.
"The only reason I had Paramount+ was to watch South Park. I just cancelled,” wrote one user. Another fumed, “How does one go about setting Paramount on fire?”, a comment met with dark humour by others who blamed the platform for “setting itself on fire.”
— (@)
Some users began sharing ways to legally access older episodes via platforms like Apple TV and Amazon Prime, while others admitted they were considering alternative, less official methods.
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Parker and Stone threaten legal action
Behind the scenes, the show’s creators are fighting their own battle. Trey Parker and Matt Stone, through their company Park County, have accused Skydance’s incoming president Jeff Shell of meddling in licensing talks. Their allegations claim Shell tried to skew negotiations with Warner Bros. Discovery and Netflix to favour Paramount’s streaming ambitions.
They argue this interference ultimately led to the shortened contract term and the fallout with HBO Max, leaving the show without a cohesive global distribution strategy just as a new season approaches.
Global outrage grows as South Park vanishes from Paramount PlusWikipedia
What’s available—and what’s not
While South Park episodes remain available on Comedy Central’s traditional TV networks in several international markets, streaming access is now patchy. Some specials are still on Paramount+, and ad-supported options exist via Pluto TV in select regions like Canada and Europe.
Back episodes can be purchased on services like Amazon Prime and Apple TV, and in countries like Germany and across Latin America, some content is accessible through a standalone South Park website. But for many fans, none of this replaces the convenience of a centralised platform like Paramount+.
Fans slam Paramount and Skydance for blocking South Park accessRotten Tomatoes
Season 27 still coming—but not for everyone
Despite the chaos, South Park season 27 will premiere in the US as planned on 23 July on Comedy Central. But for fans outside the country, there’s still no confirmed way to watch the new season legally on demand.
Some fans are already hoping this real-life drama makes its way into a future episode. As one Reddit user joked, “The silver lining of all this merger crap is that it’s gonna make for an excellent South Park takedown.”