The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on June 26 extended invitations to 534 artists and filmmakers worldwide, including Indian luminaries Kamal Haasan and Ayushmann Khurrana . Other Indian invitees: filmmaker Payal Kapadia, cinematographer Ranabir Das, costume designer Maxima Basu, and documentary maker Smriti Mundhra . The 2025 class marks record diversity—41% women, 45% underrepresented, and 55% international—further enhancing the Academy’s inclusivity . Global stars like Ariana Grande, Jason Momoa, Sebastian Stan, Conan O’Brien, and Jeremy Strong also joined the ranks, bringing total membership to over 11,000 voting members . Once accepted, these members can vote for the 2026 Oscars, scheduled for March 15, hosted by Conan O’Brien. (PC: iDiva)

Shefali Jariwala, iconic “Kaanta Laga” performer and TV actress, was found unresponsive at her Andheri, Mumbai home on June 27, 2025, and pronounced dead on arrival at Bellevue Multispeciality Hospital. Mumbai Police reported her body was sent to Cooper Hospital for post-mortem; cardiac arrest is suspected . In past interviews, she revealed her epilepsy began at age 15, with stress-linked seizures spanning 15 years and compounded by anxiety and depression . Beloved for her candid openness, reality‑TV appearances, and advocacy on mental health, her untimely passing has deeply shocked fans, colleagues, family, and husband Parag Tyagi. (PC: India Today)

Ramesh Sippy’s iconic 1975 film Sholay returns to the big screen 50 years after its release, premiering at Il Cinema Ritrovato Festival in Bologna, Italy. The restored 204-minute version features the original ending—where Gabbar Singh is killed by Thakur—which was censored during the Emergency. Featuring legends like Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, and Amjad Khan, Sholay has remained a cultural milestone. The restoration, led by the Film Heritage Foundation with support from the British Film Institute, used long-lost 35mm negatives. Described by Dharmendra as the “eighth wonder,” the film now screens in its uncut glory, complete with deleted scenes and cinematic grandeur. (PC: BBC)

Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par has made ₹82.40 crore in six days since its release on June 20. The film opened with ₹10.7 crore and made ₹60 crore over the weekend. Earnings on Monday and Tuesday stayed around ₹8 crore, and it earned ₹7.25 crore on Wednesday. Despite no ticket discounts, the film is holding steady, especially in urban areas. Directed by RS Prasanna, the movie features Genelia Deshmukh and 10 debutant neurodivergent actors. It mixes comedy, emotion, and sports to highlight human resilience. With new films releasing soon, Sitaare Zameen Par must maintain its pace to stay strong. 

Punjabi star Diljit Dosanjh sparked controversy by featuring Pakistani actor Hania Aamir in the trailer of Sardaar Ji 3, set for an overseas-only release on June 27, amid heightened India–Pakistan tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s Operation Sindoor. While the film was shot prior to the attack, social media users criticized the casting choice, labeling Diljit “shameless,” “insensitive” or even a “traitor,” with Reddit comments reading, “Disgusted by him. What a shameless person he is” and “Never spoke a word…now we know why”. The geo-blocked trailer in India highlights the decision to skip domestic release. Co-stars include Neeru Bajwa, Gulshan Grover, Manav Vij and Jasmin Bajwa.

Post-strike satellite images show extensive damage at Iran's Fordow nuclear facility after a US airstrike using bunker-buster bombs. The US struck Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan with six GBU-57 bombs and 30 Tomahawk missiles, targeting deeply buried uranium enrichment sites. President Donald Trump hailed the attack as “very successful.” The Fordow site, located under a mountain near Qom, showed signs of caved-in terrain and sealed tunnel entrances. Iran claims the sites had been evacuated earlier, with no risk of radiation. The International Atomic Energy Agency noted uranium at Fordow had been enriched to 83.7% purity—close to bomb-grade levels. (PC: NDTV)

Hollywood A‑lister Brad Pitt has been spotted during behind‑the‑scenes filming of F1 wearing a vibrant Tangaliya shirt by Indian label 11.11/Eleven Eleven—paying homage to the intricate 700‑year‑old weaving tradition from Gujarat . Originating in Surendranagar and Kachchh, Tangaliya uses knotted daanas (beads) for embossed motifs, visible on both sides of the fabric. Traditionally crafted with organic kala cotton via peti charkha, it now incorporates silks and merino wool . The actor’s sartorial nod, shared by costume designer Julian Day, highlights his fondness for India and its rich artisanal heritage. The shirt retails at ₹39,000 and the movie premieres June 27 in India. (PC: Instagram)

With Sitaare Zameen Par releasing on June 20, Aamir Khan reinforces his reputation for blending entertainment with meaningful social commentary . Known for hits like 3 Idiots, PK, and Taare Zameen Par, Khan treats cinema as a “moral science classroom” — weaving complex themes into accessible narratives . Director R.S. Prasanna says Aamir doesn’t just chase perfection but pursues cinematic “magic,” embracing collaboration and humility behind the scenes . As Sitaare Zameen Par follows neurodivergent children in a heartfelt storyline reminiscent of his 2007 classic, audiences can expect a poignant, educational experience. Aamir’s sincerity and nuanced approach remain central to each film’s enduring impact. (PC: India Today)

Director Joseph Kosinski’s F1 reunites him with Brad Pitt in a formula sure to energize theaters. Pitt stars as aging racer Sonny Hayes, returning to mentor rookie Joshua Pierce (Damson Idris) amid the high-stakes world of Formula One . Critics praise its immersive "head‑rush" racing sequences and Hans Zimmer’s electrifying score, calling it a visceral, thrilling cinematic experience . Holding an 85 % Rotten Tomatoes rating, F1 is dubbed a “high‑octane crowd‑pleaser” on par with Top Gun: Maverick . Set to release June 27 in India (June 27) and the U.S. (June 27), it's widely regarded as "the most enjoyable film of the year." (PC: IMDB)

The Supreme Court on June 17, 2025, sharply rebuked Karnataka’s ban on Kamal Haasan’s film Thug Life, citing that CBFC certification entitles a movie to be shown, and that “mob and vigilante rule” cannot obstruct legal screening. It reprimanded both the state government and Karnataka High Court for demanding an apology from Haasan over his remark that “Kannada was born from Tamil,” deeming such demands beyond the court’s remit. The bench granted Karnataka one day to report on implementation and transferred the case to the Supreme Court, scheduling the next hearing for Thursday. (PC: Hindustan Times)