Last seen in Zero (2018), Shah Rukh Khan may return to set the silver screen on fire with a film to be helmed by hit Tamil filmmaker Atlee. After months of speculations, the news is coming in that the superstar may have finally given his nod to his next.
According to the latest reports, Khan has agreed to star in the next directorial outing of Atlee. The filmmaker is expected to begin post-production on his maiden collaboration with Shah Rukh Khan soon.
A popular entertainment portal reports that Atlee recently gave a final narration to Khan which convinced the superstar to join the forces with him. There were also rumours that Atlee was writing a film keeping in mind Jr. NTR. However, if sources are to be believed, the filmmaker is working with Shah Rukh Khan next.
Atlee, who made his directorial debut with Tamil romantic comedy drama Raja Rani in 2013, has delivered some of the biggest hits of Tamil cinema, including Theri (2016), Mersal (2017) and Bigil (2019), all featuring superstar Vijay. His forthcoming film with Shah Rukh Khan will mark his directorial debut in Bollywood.
During the promotion of Atlee’s last film Bigil, his fellow director Harish Shankar let the cat out of the bag confirming his next with SRK. “The news is coming out. I do not know how immediately it is going to happen but I am praying to all the Gods to make it happen that Atlee sir is going to direct King Khan. Being a huge fan of SRK, I am waiting for this combo so that I can also come for that function and see SRK. I am a huge fan of King Khan,” Shankar had accidentally had revealed. In reply, Atlee smiled which confirmed that he was indeed collaborating with SRK.
• 25 OTT platforms including ULLU, ALTT, and Desiflix blocked by Indian government. • Action taken under IT Act and Indecent Representation of Women Act. • Content flagged for sexually explicit scenes with no storyline or social relevance. • Shiv Sena’s Priyanka Chaturvedi and NCW welcomed the crackdown.
In a major digital crackdown, the Indian government has blocked 25 OTT platforms, including ULLU, ALTT, and Desiflix, for allegedly streaming obscene and pornographic content under the guise of erotic web shows. The action follows repeated warnings and violations of Indian laws such as the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.
The ban affects 26 websites and 14 mobile apps, which were found to be in serious violation of the IT Rules, 2021. Platforms were accused of publishing sexually explicit content with little to no narrative or artistic value, raising concerns about their accessibility to minors and the portrayal of women in objectionable contexts.
India blocks OTT apps over complaints of obscene content and law violationsScreengrab
What prompted the OTT platform ban?
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) acted following multiple complaints and reports from civil society organisations and government bodies, including the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), and the National Commission for Women (NCW). These platforms were flagged for releasing soft porn disguised as adult drama series with no regulation or viewer restrictions.
The government said that content often included prolonged nudity and scenes of a sexual nature, sometimes within inappropriate or sensitive contexts like familial relationships. Authorities stated that such material lacked narrative structure, character development, or any underlying message, making it a direct violation of digital content guidelines.
Government order leads to blackout of 25 OTT platforms streaming adult contentScreengrab
Which OTT apps were banned and why?
Among the blocked platforms are some of India’s well-known names in the erotic entertainment space, such as: • ULLU • ALTT (a subsidiary of Balaji Telefilms) • Desiflix • Big Shots App • Boomex • NeonX VIP • MoodX • Triflicks • Feneo • Mojflix
These platforms were accused of repeatedly circumventing guidelines by re-uploading edited or previously flagged content. Reports also highlighted that some of these platforms operated multiple mirror domains to escape regulatory scrutiny.
The apps violated provisions under Section 67 of the IT Act (publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form), Section 67A (sexually explicit content), and Section 292 of the Indian Penal Code. Several also breached the 1986 Act meant to prevent indecent representation of women.
What did leaders and organisations say about the move?
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, who had raised concerns about explicit content on apps like ULLU and ALTT, welcomed the ban. "Had been talking about these two apps in particular... glad the government finally paid heed," she posted on X.
Earlier, the National Commission for Women took suo motu cognisance of ULLU's House Arrest web series, starring Ajaz Khan, after a controversial clip went viral in May. The commission slammed the platform’s depiction of women and called for regulatory intervention.
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Has this happened before?
This is not the first action taken against OTT apps in India. In March 2024, the government blocked 18 OTT platforms and associated domains for similar violations. Platforms such as Prime Play, Hunters, and Voovi were among those banned at the time. Despite warnings, several resumed operations using new domain names or hosting sites outside India.
In response, the government has now ordered Internet Service Providers to permanently block access to these platforms in India.
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Lucy Bronze and Keira Walsh during the International Friendly match between England Women and Australia
England's Lucy Bronze made headlines during Euro 2025 for both her on-pitch resilience and renewed interest in her private life.
Longtime speculation around her rumoured relationship with teammate Keira Walsh has resurfaced post-final.
Fans also point to recent posts with Spanish player Ona Batlle, suggesting a possible new romance.
Neither Lucy nor Keira has publicly addressed the rumours, choosing to keep their personal lives private.
After helping England retain their European championship in a tense penalty shootout against Spain, Lucy Bronze finds herself back in the spotlight, but not just for football. Social media buzz around her personal life has reignited, particularly concerning her rumoured past relationship with fellow Lioness Keira Walsh and recent signs pointing toward Spanish defender Ona Batlle.
Keira Walsh and Lucy Bronze line up for the national anthem prior to the International Friendly match between Norway Women and England WomenGetty Images
Why are Lucy Bronze and Keira Walsh trending again?
The speculation around Lucy Bronze’s partner has been trending since England’s Euro 2025 victory. Fans online have been revisiting her long-rumoured connection with Keira Walsh, her England and Barcelona teammate. The pair often featured together in personal photos, including holiday snaps, Instagram selfies, and moments off the pitch, especially between 2020 and 2023. Their transfer to Barcelona in the same window in 2022 only fuelled the talk. Though the two never confirmed a relationship, their closeness drew attention over the years.
While Bronze and Walsh remained silent about the nature of their relationship, fans began noticing fewer joint appearances after mid-2024. The absence of recent photos and increased speculation around new potential relationships has led many to believe the duo may have parted ways privately. Despite the public interest, both players have maintained their privacy and focused on their football careers: Bronze with Barcelona and England, and Walsh continuing to shine in midfield.
Photo taken during when lucy and Keira went to LAInstagram/lucybronze_keirawalsh
Is Lucy Bronze dating Ona Batlle now?
More recently, attention has turned toward Lucy Bronze’s growing bond with Spanish defender Ona Batlle. Before Euro 2025, the two shared sunlit holiday snaps on Instagram. In one post, Bronze captioned their trip simply, “Few days of sun,” while Batlle replied with a heart-eyed emoji. Since then, they’ve been spotted together in casual settings, but much like her past rumoured relationship, Bronze has not made any public statements confirming or denying anything.
Adding to the rumour mill, Keira Walsh has been linked to Austrian footballer Laura Feiersinger. Similar to Bronze, Walsh has chosen not to comment publicly, but fans have noted a series of interactions and sightings online that hint at a possible relationship. However, none of these claims have been confirmed, and Walsh has kept her social media presence mostly professional since the Euro final.
Despite the attention on her personal life, Lucy Bronze’s contributions on the pitch remain unmatched. She played the Euro 2025 tournament with a fractured tibia and even sustained a new knee injury during the final. Still, she stepped up when it mattered, playing through pain to help England clinch the title in a dramatic penalty shootout. With her 140th cap, she became one of the most capped players in Lionesses history and cemented her place as a true leader in the squad.
Lucy Bronze and Keira Walsh of England warm up prior to the Arnold Clark Cup match between England and GermanyGetty Images
While fans may speculate over who Lucy Bronze is dating, Keira Walsh, Ona Batlle, or someone else, the footballer continues to let her achievements do the talking. On and off the pitch, she’s made headlines, but her legacy remains firmly grounded in her contributions to the sport.
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Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR face off in an intense showdown from War 2 trailer
War 2 trailer features Hrithik Roshan’s Kabir facing off with Jr NTR’s unnamed officer in a darker, grittier spy battle.
Kiara Advani surprises with intense combat scenes, including a fight with Hrithik.
The film is directed by Ayan Mukerji and is the sixth chapter in YRF’s spy universe.
War 2 releases worldwide in theatres and IMAX on 14 August 2025.
Yash Raj Films has released the highly anticipated trailer of War 2, and it is a shift in tone from the slick action of its 2019 predecessor. Starring Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR, and Kiara Advani, the Ayan Mukerji directorial promises a complex battle between loyalty, duty, and national pride. With its focus on betrayal, conflicting ideologies, and large-scale action set-pieces, War 2 positions itself as the most intense chapter yet in the YRF Spy Universe.
Ayan Mukerji directs Hrithik Jr NTR and Kiara in the sixth YRF spy universe filmInstagram/yrf
What’s the plot of War 2 and where does it fit in the YRF Spy Universe?
War 2 continues the story of Kabir Dhaliwal, played by Hrithik Roshan, now a shadow operative for RAW who has sacrificed everything for the country. He is now pitted against a formidable new adversary, Jr NTR’s elite special forces officer. Despite being on opposing sides, both characters declare “India First,” setting the stage for a morally grey conflict where personal agendas collide with patriotic ideals.
This is the sixth film in the YRF Spy Universe, following the success of Tiger 3, Pathaan, and the original War. With no direct crossover revealed yet, fans are still speculating if Salman Khan or Shah Rukh Khan will make a cameo in the film.
How does Kiara Advani’s role differ from earlier female leads?
Kiara Advani’s character has stirred conversation online, with fans noting that she is more than just a romantic interest. Seen both romancing and fighting Hrithik’s Kabir, she’s reportedly playing the daughter of Colonel Luthra, the RAW handler played by Ashutosh Rana. Her action scenes, particularly a hand-to-hand fight with Hrithik and a gunpoint standoff, have impressed audiences, with many saying she has more screen presence than Vaani Kapoor’s role in the first film.
From combat sequences to donning the army uniform, Kiara seems poised for a bigger arc, especially with the upcoming Alpha, another female-led spy film from YRF starring Alia Bhatt and Sharvari.
Kiara Advani surprises fans with high-octane action and combat movesInstagram/kiaraaliaadvani
What’s the fan reaction to Jr NTR’s Bollywood debut in War 2?
While the trailer generated buzz, not all reactions have been positive. Jr NTR, a superstar in the Telugu industry, makes his Hindi action debut here, but many netizens have criticised his look, dialogue delivery, and the VFX-enhanced physique. Some called him a “misfit” in YRF’s aesthetic, while others felt his intensity fell flat next to Hrithik’s seasoned spy act.
However, a section of his fanbase defended the portrayal, calling it “raw” and “different” from mainstream Bollywood heroes. The mixed response could reflect the challenge of balancing the whole pan-India appeal with genre consistency in a tightly-knit cinematic universe.
War 2 is set for a grand theatrical release on 14 August 2025, strategically timed for India’s Independence Day weekend. With Rajinikanth’s Coolie also releasing the same day, it’s set to be one of the biggest box office clashes of the year.
Director Ayan Mukerji, fresh off Brahmastra, aims to reinvent his style in this espionage thriller. The trailer ends with a haunting Bhagavad Gita shloka, echoing the film’s philosophical undertones. Whether War 2 can match or surpass the benchmark set by Pathaan or Animal remains to be seen, but it’s clear that YRF is betting big on this action sequel.
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Tech firm Astronomer responds to CEO affair clip with unexpected Gwyneth Paltrow cameo
Astronomer, a US-based tech firm, faced scrutiny after a kiss-cam clip of its CEO and HR head went viral.
Gwyneth Paltrow, Chris Martin’s ex-wife, was hired as a “very temporary” spokesperson.
The cheeky video ignored the scandal while promoting Astronomer’s AI and data products.
Netizens hailed it as “a PR masterclass,” though some said the move came a week too late.
After a viral Coldplay concert moment exposed an alleged office affair at tech startup Astronomer, the company has flipped the narrative, and the internet can’t stop talking. In a calculated PR move, Astronomer released a witty video starring Oscar-winning actor Gwyneth Paltrow as their “very temporary” spokesperson.
The kicker? Paltrow is the ex-wife of Coldplay’s frontman Chris Martin, the same man who commented on the now-notorious kiss-cam clip that sparked the scandal.
Astronomer hires Chris Martin’s ex-wife after viral CEO affair clipGetty Images
What was the Coldplay kiss-cam scandal involving Astronomer?
The now-viral moment took place on 16 July at Coldplay’s Boston concert. As the crowd enjoyed the show at Gillette Stadium, a kiss-cam panned to Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and the company’s HR head Kristin Cabot. The pair were seen intimately close, but their startled reaction and attempt to hide their faces immediately raised eyebrows.
Coldplay frontman Chris Martin quipped from the stage, “Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy.” Within hours, the footage flooded social media.
Both Byron and Cabot, who are reportedly married to other people, resigned from their roles days later.
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Why did Astronomer bring in Gwyneth Paltrow?
On 25 July, Astronomer released a satirical video titled Thank You for Your Interest in Astronomer. The clip opens with Paltrow, poised, calm, and ironic, saying she’s been hired “on a very temporary basis to speak on behalf of the 300+ employees at Astronomer.”
She goes on to answer vague corporate FAQs about Astronomer’s products and upcoming data conference, while ignoring the elephant in the room. Each time a question about the scandal appears on screen (like “OMG! What the actual f—”), it’s abruptly cut off with Paltrow switching to a technical explanation about Astronomer’s software.
Paltrow’s involvement, given her connection to Chris Martin, wasn’t lost on viewers. One user wrote, “This belongs in the crisis PR hall of fame.”
How has the public responded to Astronomer’s PR move?
Online reactions to the Gwyneth Paltrow ad were overwhelmingly positive. Social media users praised the tech company’s bold approach, calling it a “10/10 PR recovery” and a masterstroke in brand strategy.
“You got Chris Martin’s ex-wife??? Savage,” one post read.
“Instead of burying the scandal, they rode the wave and controlled the narrative. That’s how you do PR,” said another.
However, a few critics pointed out that the response came a bit late, missing the peak of the trend cycle. “A week earlier and this would’ve broken the internet,” one user commented.
Still, most agreed the tactic was smart, sharp, and refreshingly humorous for a tech firm under scrutiny.
Comments under the video X Screengrab
What’s next for Astronomer?
Interim CEO Pete DeJoy acknowledged the media frenzy as “unusual and surreal” for a data startup but said it had made Astronomer “a household name.” The company remains focused on its enterprise tools for managing Apache Airflow and is preparing for its “Beyond Analytics” conference this September.
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Whether the publicity surge translates into long-term gains remains to be seen. But for now, Astronomer’s crisis response is being studied as a standout case in corporate damage control.
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Micheal Ward charged with rape and sexual assault by London police
Top Boy star Michael Ward, 27, has been charged with two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault.
The alleged offences involve one woman and are reported to have occurred in January 2023.
Ward has denied the allegations and says he has cooperated fully with the investigation.
The BAFTA-winning actor is due to appear at Thames Magistrates’ Court on 28 August.
BAFTA-winning actor Michael Ward, best known for his role as Jamie in the Netflix crime drama Top Boy, has been formally charged with multiple sexual offences, including two counts of rape. The charges stem from an incident reported by one woman, said to have taken place in January 2023.
The 27-year-old actor, originally from Jamaica and currently residing in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, was charged by the Metropolitan Police following a review of the evidence by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). Ward will appear in court on 28 August at Thames Magistrates’ Court in London.
Top Boy actor Micheal Ward faces rape and assault chargesGetty Images
What charges has Michael Ward been accused of?
According to a statement released by the CPS, Michael Ward faces five charges: two counts of rape, two counts of assault by penetration, and one count of sexual assault. All allegations relate to a single woman and are said to have occurred in January 2023.
Catherine Baccas, deputy chief crown prosecutor for CPS London South, stated:
“After carefully reviewing the evidence submitted by the Metropolitan Police, the CPS has authorised criminal charges against Michael Ward. These proceedings are now active, and we urge the public to refrain from sharing any potentially prejudicial material.”
Detective Superintendent Scott Ware, who is leading the investigation, added that specialist officers are supporting the complainant throughout the legal process.
Micheal Ward denies rape charges ahead of court appearanceGetty Images
What has Michael Ward said about the allegations?
In response to the charges, Ward issued a public statement through his legal representatives, maintaining his innocence:
“I deny the charges against me entirely. I have fully cooperated with the police during the investigation and will continue to do so. I believe in the legal process and have full faith that my name will be cleared.”
He declined to provide further comment, citing the ongoing nature of the legal proceedings.
Bafta winner Micheal Ward accused of rape and sexual offencesGetty Images
Who is Michael Ward and what is he known for?
Michael Ward rose to prominence with his breakout role in the 2019 film Blue Story. He gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of Jamie in Top Boy, which aired on Netflix from 2019 to 2022. His performance in Small Axe: Lovers Rock earned him a BAFTA nomination for Best Supporting Actor in 2021.
In 2020, Ward was awarded the prestigious BAFTA Rising Star Award. He also starred in the critically acclaimed drama Empire of Light in 2022 and is set to appear alongside Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal in the upcoming US film Eddington, scheduled for UK release on 22 August.
Outside of his acting career, Ward has been involved in various public events, including a reading at the Princess of Wales’ Christmas Eve carol service and a charity football match for Soccer Aid.
Micheal Ward to appear in court over rape and assault allegationsGetty Images
What happens next in the legal process?
Michael Ward is scheduled to appear before Thames Magistrates’ Court on 28 August 2025. Until then, the actor remains out of custody. If the case proceeds, it could be moved to a Crown Court for trial.
The CPS has reminded the public and media outlets that the actor is entitled to a fair trial and any commentary or speculation that might influence the proceedings could amount to contempt of court.