Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence has joined Instagram for the first time, quickly attracting millions of followers to her new account, @jlaw. In her debut Reel, Lawrence humorously warned that she would immediately leave the platform if users posted negative or mean comments. She reinforced the message through an Instagram Story, asking followers to avoid aggressive comments and jokingly referring to herself as “the baby.” Her unexpected social-media debut has generated significant attention among fans and fellow celebrities. The reason for joining Instagram remains unclear, although her upcoming projects have fueled speculation that the account could also support future promotional activities. (PC: Getty Images)

Marvel’s next Black Panther David Jonsson will lead the voice cast of *Bollywoof*, a new animated family film set in Kolkata. Oscar winner Olivia Colman and *The Big Bang Theory* star Kunal Nayyar are also part of the cast, alongside Rhys Ifans, Sanjeev Bhaskar and Ambika Mod. The film follows a British pet dog who gets lost in Kolkata and teams up with a street dog while travelling across India to find his way home. Directed by Frederik Du Chau, *Bollywoof* is produced by Prime Focus Studios and will combine comedy, action, music and colourful visuals in a story rooted in India. (PC: The Telegraph)

The 72nd National Film Awards are expected to break decades of tradition by moving out of New Delhi for the first time. Ekta Nagar in Gujarat’s Narmada district, home to the Statue of Unity, is likely to host the prestigious ceremony this year. President Droupadi Murmu is expected to present the awards during her Gujarat visit later this month. According to reports, Murmu is likely to travel to Ekta Nagar as part of her visit and confer the National Film Awards there. The move would mark the first time the National Film Awards ceremony has been held outside the national capital, ending a longstanding tradition. The awards are among India’s most prestigious film honours. (PC: X)

Dhirendra Krishna Shastri’s appeal to keep non-vegetarian food away from Durga Puja pandals in Bengal has sparked social-media comparisons with Satyajit Ray’s 1965 film Mahapurush and its self-proclaimed godman Birinchi Baba. Shastri made the appeal during a Kolkata visit, reigniting controversy surrounding an apparent Vishwa Hindu Parishad advisory issued on August 26. The VHP later clarified it was not seeking to enforce vegetarianism. The debate intensified after Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari shared a stage with Shastri and invited him to establish a centre in the state. Critics online invoked Birinchi Baba’s fictional claims while defending Bengal’s food traditions, particularly the cultural significance of fish and meat within many Bengali Shakta traditions during Durga Puja celebrations. (PC: The Telegraph)

Cabo Verde will bring its traditional music to India for the first time when celebrated guitarist Voginha and his quartet perform at the Jodhpur RIFF in Rajasthan from October 22 to 26. Voginha, whose real name is Jose Carlos Silva Brito, will present Morna and Coladeira, musical traditions rooted in the island nation’s stories of the sea and migration. The festival’s 20th edition will also feature artists from Palestine, Iran, Latin America, Australia and the US. More than 250 Rajasthani folk musicians from communities including Manganiyar, Langa, Meghwal, Bhopa, Kalbelia, Meena and Bhil will also perform at Mehrangarh Fort. (PC: Firstpost)

India’s Nikita Porwal ended her Miss World 2026 journey in the Top 40 after failing to qualify for the Top 20 at the pageant’s 75th Anniversary edition in Nha Trang, Vietnam, on September 5. Porwal, the Femina Miss India 2024 winner from Ujjain, was among 111 contestants who began competing on August 9. Her Miss World campaign also featured MAATI, a project focused on education, healthcare, nutrition, hygiene, clean water and economic opportunities for tribal women and children. Femina Miss India said Porwal’s finish extended India’s streak of placing at eight consecutive Miss World editions. (PC: HT)

Director Vishal Chaturvedi has criticised the Hindi film industry for failing to support Hanuman Ansh when it was struggling, saying some people who did not help are now congratulating him after its success. The film, released on August 7, initially had more than 350 shows nationwide but faced reduced screenings because of competition from other releases. Chaturvedi said the movie gained momentum through word of mouth and direct audience engagement, with the film reportedly nearing ₹75 crore. He also described Bollywood as divided between genuinely passionate filmmakers and those pursuing filmmaking without sufficient commitment, questioning the industry’s understanding of what audiences will embrace. (PC: NDTV)

Lollapalooza India will return to Mumbai’s Mahalaxmi Racecourse on January 23 and 24, 2027, for its fifth edition, with Olivia Dean, Limp Bizkit, KATSEYE, Fontaines D.C. and 5 Seconds of Summer among the headline acts. The two-day festival will feature four stages and artistes across pop, rock, electronic, hip-hop, jazz, R&B and folk. Other international performers include St. Vincent and Steve Angello. The Indian lineup includes Aditya Gadhvi, Anuv Jain, Ricky Kej with Stewart Copeland, Indian Ocean and The Manganiyar Seduction, alongside several independent and emerging artistes.

Duane “Keffe D” Davis has been found guilty of murdering rapper Tupac Shakur, nearly 30 years after his death. A jury in Las Vegas delivered the verdict on September 1.   Tupac was shot several times in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas on September 7, 1996. He died a few days later.   Davis was charged with murder in 2023 and pleaded not guilty. During the trial, prosecutors focused on his past statements, including claims made in his 2019 memoir. Davis faces a possible life sentence without parole. He has said he plans to appeal the verdict.  

Country music star Dolly Parton has been laid to rest following a private family funeral in Tennessee. She was reportedly buried beside her late husband, Carl Dean, at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum.   Parton died last week at the age of 80 after a brief battle with cancer. Her great-niece, Lainey Parton, shared an emotional tribute after the funeral. She remembered Parton as a loving and supportive family member who always encouraged her dreams.   Since her death, fans and artists have paid tribute to the singer. Her famous song 'Jolene' has also returned to the UK music charts. (PC: Reuters)