SS Rajamouli's Baahubali: The Conclusion may be setting the box office on fire but superstar Salman Khan said he doesn't get worried about the business of a film as he thinks every movie has its own destiny.
Baahubali: The Beginning released on July 10, 2015, a week before Salman's Bajrangi Bhaijaan.
Baahubali: The Conclusion, which hit theatres on April 28, has so far collected over Rs 1500 crore (£178 million) across the world.
"After Baahubali: The Beginning, we came up with Bajrangi Bhaijaan. Now after Baahubali: The Conclusion, we are coming up with Tubelight. There is a lot of pressure on the CEO of Salman Khan Films. I don't get worried so much. It is a phenomenal success and it is amazing.
"I have not seen the film but I will watch it. But it doesn't matter (box office records) as I think every film has its own destiny. Lets see what the destiny of Tubelight is and how much it earns," Salman told reporters here at the trailer launch of Tubelight.
The Dabangg star on a lighter note further said, "They (referring to Rajamouli doing one film in four years) do one film in four years, I do two films in a year and the average is that much."
Salman's brother, actor Sohail Khan, who also stars in Tubelight, said it's good if a movie sets a record at the box office.
"It's lovely when a film does well commercially as it sets a yardstick (for other films). It's nice that Baahubali... did well," Sohail said.
During the launch, Salman seemed emotional while talking about his other co-star, legendary actor Om Puri.
"The strange thing is whenever I see the trailer, teaser or song, I see Om ji and it kills me. I have done a lot of work with Om ji and I felt one moment he was there and then he was gone. I don't actually enjoy watching the trailer, song or teaser as I can see him there," Salman said.
The Bajrangi Bhaijaan star said he is deeply saddened to have lost three very close people in the last few months - veteran actor Vinod Khanna, his on screen mother Reema Lagoo and Puri.
"We just lost V K (Vinod Khanna) sir, he was an amazing person. While I was shooting, I heard about the demise of Reema ji. It's sad that I lost three very close people in the last three or four months."
Directed by Kabir Khan, Tubelight also features Chinese actress Zhu Zhu. The film is scheduled to release this Eid.
Whether taking long breaks or making unpredictable choices, Chitrangda Singh has always followed her own rhythm in a notoriously fast-paced film industry.
The ever-graceful actress adds fresh chapters to her cinematic journey with two dramatically different projects. Just a week ago, she made a splash on the big screen in the mega-budget comedy multistarrer Housefull 5, part of a popular franchise. Next, she will shift gears for Raat Akeli Hai 2 – the dark, layered Netflix sequel to the gripping whodunnit that captivated audiences during lockdown.
Her unconventional path continues with this dual release, which reflects her commitment to varied work. That approach has defined her since making a winning debut with the acclaimed 2005 film Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi. The top talent remains driven by audience appreciation.
In a wide-ranging interview with Eastern Eye, she discussed her journey, passions beyond acting, dream role, fashion, approach to performance, and advice for young women.
Chitrangda Singh
How do you reflect on your acting journey?
I think it has been a very gratifying and exciting journey. I have taken quite a few breaks in between but feel audiences did not forget me or my work. Even when I did less, they still gave a lot of love and respect for what I had done, which for me is such a huge encouragement to keep going. It has been a very interesting life, especially because this was not something I had planned or expected to do.
Tell us about that.
It was this amazing coincidence – how (writer/director) Sudhir (Mishra) found me and I got Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi. It felt like someone was introducing me to myself, telling me I had a talent I should explore. I am very thankful that audiences have not forgotten me. I am still here, doing exciting work.
What makes you so selective about the projects you take on?
The root cause is simply that when you do not get the kind of work you are looking for, you wait. So, it is not that I have been deliberately choosy. I just tried to pick the best from whatever came my way. Actors are offered all kinds of work. When it was not good enough, I preferred to wait rather than come under pressure to take it. All I can say is, I did not quite get the kind of work I was hoping for.
Looking back, would you have done anything differently?
If I could change something, it would probably be the long breaks I took. Those happened because of certain family commitments, which meant I had to keep going back to another city.
I was not in Mumbai all the time. Staying away – especially that seven-year break early on – meant people did forget me a little, and I had to keep making comebacks. That probably affected my career. I also wish I had stayed more focused and worked harder at times.
You have played a variety of interesting roles. Which is closest to your heart?
The film that is closest to my heart is Inkaar with Arjun Rampal. I feel my character, Maya Luthra, was a special woman. She could be strong and ambitious, and make a place for herself in a man’s world – fight for it. At the same time, she was vulnerable, emotional, and in love. Those are the contrasts we live with. I feel Maya was a beautifully written character and the one I relate to the most.
Which film project challenged you the most?
It is the one I have just completed – Raat Akeli Hai 2 for Netflix with Nawazuddin Siddiqui. It was a tough role, and Honey Trehan is a very demanding director. I had a great time and learnt a lot on set after a long while. Sometimes you get these characters that force you to change your approach. I must thank Honey for that. It was challenging, but I really enjoyed it.
What is the secret to surviving in such a competitive industry?
The secret is doing good work. I have taken long breaks, but people remember you if the work has been strong. They recall your performances and potential. I think that is the only way to survive and build a long shelf life. It is not about visibility, PR, or award shows – those help, but they do not last. Only the work does.
Chitrangda Singh
You always have great screen presence, but what is the secret to a great performance?
My understanding is that acting is not about performing, but reacting – emotionally, physically, and truthfully to a situation. That stops you from repeating yourself. In real life, you do not get angry the same way every time because the context is always different. Of course, it depends on the writing too. But if you react with honesty, without overplanning, that is the key to a great performance.
Which genre do you prefer?
I haven’t done much of it, but I love romance and good drama.
Do you have a dream role?
I have said this many times – it would be Umrao Jaan, the character Rekha played in Muzaffar Ali’s film. I find women and dancing girls from that era fascinating. They lived hard lives but were ahead of their time in many ways. They were uninhibited about their sexuality, yet deeply cultured – reading, writing poetry, and of course, dancing.
What are your biggest passions outside work?
I do not get too much time, but I love painting and charcoal sketching. I also enjoy golf and like playing it. I love trekking – I have done a lot of that in Srinagar and Jammu and Kashmir, just walking along rivers and fishing. I wish I had more time for it.
What do you enjoy watching as an audience?
I love romance. I also enjoy thrillers and drama. I especially like courtroom dramas – they are fascinating and very difficult to write well.
You are seen as a symbol of girl power. What advice would you give to women and girls?
Keep working on yourself. Make sure you are financially independent, because that leads to mental and emotional independence. If you cannot support yourself financially and rely on someone else, it becomes the worst kind of dependence – even your thoughts and opinions start relying on them. So, work on yourself, become financially stable, and be your own person.
Any other advice?
This idea of feminism where women try to be men – I do not agree with that. I think women should remain women but work hard for opportunities. Do not look for shortcuts or expect special treatment because you are a woman. Pay your dues and work as hard as any man. That is how you earn it.
Your fashion sense always stands out. What inspires your style?
My style has always been classic and casual chic. I cannot pull off over-the-top looks or heavy bling. I prefer understated and structured outfits. But honestly, I am most comfortable in jeans and a T-shirt. I always go for clean, timeless silhouettes.
If you could master something new, what would it be?
Horse riding. I have been on a horse and can manage a little, but I am not very good. A woman on a horse is so graceful. I would love to learn dressage – it is the most beautiful thing. The other thing is fishing – if I could get better at it, I would enjoy those long treks even more.
Why do you love being an actress?
The most exciting part is getting to play different characters. I love human psychology – I am curious about people and their behaviour. Working on that, picking up nuances, building new characters and becoming someone else is thrilling. And it changes every day. I feel blessed to do such varied work with so many creative people. It is an energy I thrive on.
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Smoke rises from a location allegedly targeted in Israel's wave of strikes on Tehran, Iran, on early morning of June 13, 2025. (Photo: Getty Images)
ISRAEL carried out a series of airstrikes on Iran on Friday, targeting nearly 100 locations, including nuclear sites and military command centres. The strikes killed senior officials, including the armed forces chief and top nuclear scientists, according to Iranian reports.
In response, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Israel would face a "bitter and painful" outcome. The Iranian military said there would be "no limits" to its response.
Later, Israel’s military said Iran launched about 100 drones in retaliation. The Israeli air force intercepted them outside its territory.
Jordan said it intercepted drones and missiles that had crossed into its airspace, while air raid sirens were heard in the capital, Amman.
US president Donald Trump told Fox News he had prior knowledge of the Israeli strikes, which involved 200 fighter jets. Trump said Tehran "cannot have a nuclear bomb".
The United States said it was not involved in the Israeli strikes and warned Iran not to target US personnel or assets.
Tehran, however, said the United States would be "responsible for consequences", arguing that the operation "cannot have been carried out without the coordination and permission of the United States".
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the strikes hit the "heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment programme", including the atomic site at Natanz. He also confirmed nuclear scientists were among those targeted.
Netanyahu said the operations would "continue as many days as it takes". The Israeli military claimed intelligence indicated Iran was nearing the "point of no return" in its nuclear development.
Iranian media said the strikes killed the country’s highest-ranking military officer, Mohammad Bagheri, and the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hossein Salami.
Israel’s defence minister Israel Katz said, "The precise targeting of senior commanders of the Revolutionary Guards, the Iranian military, and nuclear scientists — all of whom were involved in advancing the plan to destroy Israel — sends a strong and clear message: those who work toward Israel's destruction will be eliminated."
AFP photos showed a large hole in a residential high-rise in Tehran, appearing to have been hit in a targeted strike.
Iranian state media reported civilian deaths, including women and children. Tasnim news agency said six nuclear scientists were killed.
Flights suspended
In Tehran, streets were largely empty except for long queues at petrol stations.
Flights were halted at Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran. Iraq and Jordan also closed their airspace and suspended flights.
Several Gulf airlines cancelled services to and from Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
Israel declared a state of emergency and shut its airspace. Defence minister Katz said the country was prepared for Iran’s expected retaliation.
Later, Jordan’s military said it had used its aircraft and air defence systems to intercept "a number of missiles and drones that entered Jordanian airspace".
Iran’s armed forces said there were "no limits in responding to this crime" and accused Israel of crossing "all red lines".
Oil prices rose while global stocks fell following the Israeli strikes. The developments came after Trump’s warning of a "massive conflict" in the region.
Trump had earlier said the US was drawing down staff in the Middle East due to threats from Iran to target American bases if war broke out.
He had also said that a deal on Iran’s nuclear programme was "fairly close", but warned that an Israeli attack could jeopardise it.
Speaking about a conversation with Netanyahu, Trump said: "I don't want them going in, because I think it would blow it." He added, "Might help it actually, but it also could blow it."
‘Within reach’
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Iran against targeting US bases in response to the Israeli strikes, reiterating that Washington was not involved.
Iran had earlier warned that it could strike US bases in the region if conflict broke out.
The violence has cast uncertainty on a sixth round of talks scheduled between the US and Iran in Oman on Sunday. Trump said the US still hopes to "get back to the negotiating table".
The UN’s nuclear watchdog confirmed that Natanz was among the sites targeted and said it was "closely monitoring" the situation.
"The agency is in contact with Iranian authorities regarding radiation levels. We are also in contact with our inspectors in the country," said Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
‘Extremist’
Israel, which relies on US support, views Iran as an existential threat.
Netanyahu has said Israel will act with less restraint since the 7 October 2023 attack by Hamas, which is backed by Tehran, and which triggered Israel’s large-scale operation in Gaza.
Since then, Iran and Israel have exchanged direct strikes for the first time.
In addition to Hamas, Israel has been fighting Iranian-backed groups Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Huthis in Yemen.
The United States, Israel, and Western allies have long accused Iran of seeking a nuclear weapon, which Iran has denied.
On Wednesday, the IAEA accused Iran of failing to meet its obligations. Israel renewed its call for international action.
Iran’s nuclear chief Mohammad Eslami called the resolution "extremist", and Iran said it would start a new enrichment site in a secure location.
Iran is currently enriching uranium to 60 per cent — higher than the 3.67 per cent limit under the 2015 nuclear deal and near the 90 per cent level required for a nuclear weapon.
(With inputs from agencies)
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National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel inspect the site after Air India flight 171 crashed in a residential area near the airport in Ahmedabad, on June 13, 2025. (Photo: Getty Images)
RESCUE teams with sniffer dogs searched the crash site on Friday after an Air India flight heading to London crashed into a residential area in Ahmedabad, killing at least 265 people on board and on the ground.
The Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 passengers and crew, crashed on Thursday. One person survived the crash, which left the tail of the aircraft lodged in the second floor of a hostel housing medical staff from a nearby hospital.
The nose and front wheel of the plane landed on a canteen building where students were having lunch, according to witnesses.
Deputy commissioner of police Kanan Desai said 265 bodies had been counted so far, indicating that at least 24 people on the ground had died. The toll may rise as more body parts are recovered.
"The official number of deceased will be declared only after DNA testing is completed", Home Minister Amit Shah said in a statement on Thursday evening. He added, "families whose relatives are abroad have already been informed, and their DNA samples will be taken".
Prime minister Narendra Modi visited the affected neighbourhood on Friday. He had earlier described the crash of Air India flight 171 as "heartbreaking beyond words".
Visited the crash site in Ahmedabad today. The scene of devastation is saddening. Met officials and teams working tirelessly in the aftermath. Our thoughts remain with those who lost their loved ones in this unimaginable tragedy. pic.twitter.com/R7PPGGo6Lj — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 13, 2025
According to the airline, the passengers included 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian. There were also 12 crew members on board. The flight was bound for London’s Gatwick airport.
The only survivor was a British national of Indian origin, identified by local media as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh. Air India said he is receiving treatment in hospital.
"He said, 'I have no idea how I exited the plane'", said his brother Nayan Kumar Ramesh, 27, in Leicester, as reported by Britain’s Press Association.
Relatives of passengers gathered in Ahmedabad on Friday to provide DNA samples for identification.
Ashfaque Nanabawa, 40, came looking for his cousin Akeel Nanabawa, who was on board with his wife and three-year-old daughter. He said they had spoken just before takeoff.
"He called us and he said: 'I am in the plane and I have boarded safely and everything was okay'. That was his last call."
One woman, who did not give her name, said her son-in-law had died in the crash.
"My daughter doesn't know that he's no more", she said. "I can't break the news to her, can someone else do that please?"
Air India’s dedicated passenger hotline numbers for India 1800 5691 444; for calls outside India +91 8062779200.
Air India requests media persons not to contact the dedicated passenger hotline number. — Air India (@airindia) June 13, 2025
Crash occurred moments after takeoff
The plane crashed less than a minute after takeoff on Thursday, shortly after reaching an altitude of about 100 metres.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation said the aircraft issued a mayday call and "crashed immediately after takeoff".
Ahmedabad, the largest city in Gujarat state with a population of about eight million, has a busy airport located near densely populated residential areas.
"One half of the plane crashed into the residential building where doctors lived with their families," said Krishna, a doctor who did not give his full name.
Investigations begin
Boeing said it was in contact with Air India and was "ready to support them". A source familiar with the case told AFP this was the first crash involving a 787 Dreamliner.
The UK and US air accident investigation agencies have sent teams to assist Indian investigators.
A statement from Boeing President and CEO Kelly Ortberg on Air India Flight 171.
Tata Group, which owns Air India, has announced financial support of 10 million rupees ($117,000) for the families of each person who died. It also said it would cover the medical expenses of those injured.
India has experienced multiple deadly air crashes in the past. In 1996, two jets collided mid-air over New Delhi, killing nearly 350 people. In 2010, an Air India Express plane crashed and caught fire at Mangalore airport, killing 158 out of 166 people on board.
Cause of crash still unknown
Experts said it is too early to determine the cause of Thursday’s crash.
"It is very unlikely that the plane was overweight or carrying too much fuel," said Jason Knight, senior lecturer in fluid mechanics at the University of Portsmouth. "The aircraft is designed to be able to fly on one engine, so the most likely cause of the crash is a double engine failure. The most likely cause of a double engine failure is a bird strike."
India’s growing aviation sector
India’s aviation sector has seen rapid growth in recent years. Last month, Willie Walsh, director general of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), called the growth "nothing short of phenomenal".
India, with a population of 1.4 billion, is now the world’s fourth-largest air travel market. IATA has projected that it will become the third-largest within the next decade.
(With inputs from agencies)
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The Bank of England is weighing inflation signals ahead of rate call
PAY growth in Britain slowed sharply and unemployment rose to its highest level in nearly four years in the three months to April, official figures showed on Tuesday (10), potentially reducing the Bank of England’s (BoE) caution over further interest rate cuts.
Wage growth excluding bonuses slowed to 5.2 per cent, the weakest pace since the three months to September, and fell more than expected from 5.5 per cent in January to March this year.
The jobless rate climbed to 4.6 per cent, up from 4.5 per cent, reaching its highest point since the three months to May 2021, the Office for National Statistics said.
The April data was the first since employers were hit by a £25 billion rise in social security contributions which came into force at the start of the month, as well as a 6.7 per cent increase in the minimum wage.
The downturn appeared to gather pace in May, according to separate tax office data which showed a slump of 109,000 in the number of employees on company payrolls, the most since May 2020 at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Bank of England, which is expected to keep rates on hold at next week’s meeting, has been trying to gauge if inflation pressures in Britain’s labour market are easing sufficiently for it to continue cutting interest rates at its current quarterly pace.
“There continues to be weakening in the labour market, with the number of people on payroll falling notably,” said ONS director of economic statistics Liz McKeown.
“Feedback from our vacancies survey suggests some firms may be holding back from recruiting new workers or replacing people when they move on.”
The BoE last trimmed borrowing costs in May, by a quarter point to 4.25 per cent.
Its governor, Andrew Bailey, said last month that domestic wage and price developments were likely to be more important for future reductions in borrowing costs than US trade policy, although April’s US tariffs did help swing some policymakers’ decision to vote for a cut at its last meeting in May.
In the private sector alone, watched closely by the BoE, earnings excluding bonuses rose by 5.1 per cent in the three months to the end of April, also the weakest pace since the third quarter of 2024 the Office for National Statistics said.
Growth in total pay, including bonuses, slowed to 5.3 per cent in April from an upwardly revised 5.6 per cent, compared to economists’ forecasts for 5.5 per cent.
There were also other signs of loosening in Britain’s jobs market.
Vacancies fell by 63,000 in the three months to May to 736,000, their lowest level since the three months to April 2021.
Conservative MP and shadow business and trade secretary, Andrew Griffith, said the rise in unemployment was not surprising.
“Businesses are still absorbing a £25 billion jobs tax, but things are about to get even worse as ... (the government) hits businesses with higher regulation,” Griffith said.
Labour’s employment minister, Alison McGovern, said the ONS data showed that half a million more people were in work than when Labour won a national election last July and that wages had grown faster since then than during a decade of Conservative-led rule after 2010.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves was due to deliver her first multi-year spending review on Wednesday (11), to set budgets for public services, after Eastern Eye went to press on Tuesday.
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Known for their calming presence and warm guidance
Jamie Meek and his husband Fiongal Greenlaw‑Meek, both based in London, are believed to be among the victims of the Air India Express flight that crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad on Thursday afternoon.
The couple, well known within the UK’s spiritual and LGBTQ+ communities, had been travelling in India and had built a strong following through their work at The Wellness Foundry – a platform offering tarot readings, energy healing, and spiritual development. Their gentle presence and guidance had earned them deep respect from followers across the country.
In a poignant final Instagram post, Jamie shared a reel showing the pair seated inside Ahmedabad airport, smiling as they waited to board. The caption read: “And just like that, it’s time to say goodbye. India, thank you for blowing our minds open and our hearts wide.” The clip has since received an outpouring of grief, with messages from clients and friends describing the couple as “kind-hearted”, “wise”, and “beautiful souls”.
Fiongal, who began his career in design before becoming a spiritual mentor, also posted a photo reflecting on the intensity and beauty of their time in India. Earlier posts from their trip include memories from Delhi and Ahmedabad, including a stay at a heritage hotel.
Although UK authorities have not yet officially released the names of the British nationals on board, widespread media coverage has connected the couple’s social media posts with the flight.
Tributes continue to pour in, with many remembering Jamie and Fiongal for the healing they brought into people’s lives, and for their authentic and compassionate spirits. Their reported loss is being deeply felt within the spiritual community and beyond.