BTS members RM (Kim Namjoon) and V (Kim Taehyung) were discharged from South Korea’s mandatory military service on June 10, greeted by cheering fans. RM played the saxophone, while V held flower bouquets, marking their return with warmth and gratitude. The duo hinted at upcoming performances, sending BTS ARMY into a frenzy. RM shared emotional enlistment-to-discharge photos on Instagram, while V posted a heartfelt image of the two together. Jimin and Jungkook will be discharged on June 11, and Suga on June 21, paving the way for BTS’s full reunion and potential comeback concerts. (PC: AFP)

Indian rapper Badshah faced immediate social media backlash on June 5–7, 2025, after responding to a fan on X (formerly Twitter) by saying he’d “rather make babies with” global pop star Dua Lipa, following a simple red heart emoji post . Critics condemned the remark as “cheap,” “creepy,” and tone-deaf . Instead of apologising, Badshah defended his remark, calling it “one of the most beautiful compliments” and wrote, “Meri soch nahi tumhari soch…” (“It’s not my mindset, it’s yours”) . His explanation only intensified debate around cultural sensitivity, public humour, and boundaries in celebrity statements online. (PC: Getty Images)

Deepika Padukone’s controversial exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit reportedly stemmed from high remuneration demands and creative disagreements. Sources claim the actress asked for ₹25 crore, a 10% profit share, and refused to deliver dialogues in Telugu, which clashed with the director’s vision. Additional demands included an entourage allowance and restricted working hours. The team was also alarmed by leaked plot details allegedly linked to Padukone. Though her PR team positioned the exit as work-life balance, insiders reveal it was more about professionalism and flexibility. Triptii Dimri has now been cast opposite Prabhas in the high-profile project. (PC: News18)

Deepika Padukone has reportedly exited the upcoming sequel to Kalki 2898 AD, citing her request for shorter work hours as the reason. The actress, who played a pivotal role in the first installment, had previously opted out of Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Spirit due to similar concerns. Kalki 2898 AD, directed by Nag Ashwin, is a Telugu-language epic mythological science-fiction film featuring an ensemble cast including Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Prabhas, and Disha Patani. The film, set in a dystopian future inspired by Hindu scriptures, was shot extensively over three years and wrapped in May 2024. (PC: News 18)

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah has suspended Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda and other top officials following the tragic stampede at RCB’s IPL victory celebration, which killed 11 and injured 47. The event outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium, organized by KSCA and DNA Networks, drew massive crowds. A collapsed slab triggered the deadly chaos. The CM ordered the arrest of RCB reps, event managers, and KSCA officials for negligence. A CID probe has been launched, and a retired judge will head a commission to investigate. FIRs have been registered. The Karnataka High Court has taken suo motu cognisance and demanded a status report. (PC: PTI)

Rock band Girish and the Chronicles (GATC) from Gangtok, Sikkim, is gaining international fame. On May 17, they opened for Guns N’ Roses in Mumbai, a band that inspired their musical journey. The group—Girish and Yogesh Pradhan, Suraz Karki, and Nagen Mongrati—also performed on America’s Got Talent on June 3, impressing judges with a rock version of Adele’s Set Fire to the Rain. They received four 'yes' votes and advanced in the show. Formed in 2009, GATC is known for its ’80s rock style and has toured in Europe. Despite global success, Gangtok remains central to their identity and music. (PC: Instagram/ @agtauditions)

On May 30, 2025, Taylor Swift announced she has successfully repurchased the master recordings of her first six studio albums from Shamrock Capital, marking the end of a six-year dispute over her music rights. The deal, reportedly valued between $300–$360 million, grants Swift full control over her early catalog, including albums like Fearless, Red, and 1989, as well as associated music videos, artwork, and unreleased content. This milestone follows her decision to re-record her albums after Scooter Braun's acquisition of her masters in 2019. Swift expressed profound gratitude to her fans and Shamrock Capital for facilitating the purchase, emphasizing the significance of owning her life's work. (PC: The Guardian)

HBO has announced the young actors for its new Harry Potter TV series. Dominic McLaughlin will play Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton will be Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout will star as Ron Weasley. Over 30,000 children auditioned for the roles. The show will also feature John Lithgow as Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as McGonagall, and Paapa Essiedu as Snape. The series aims to follow JK Rowling’s books closely and will have more time to explore the story than the films. Filming starts this summer in the UK, with the first season expected in 2026 on HBO Max. (PC: HBO)

Veteran actor Paresh Rawal has withdrawn from the much-anticipated film "Hera Pheri 3," citing undisclosed reasons. His departure has led to a legal confrontation with co-star and producer Akshay Kumar, who filed a ₹25 crore lawsuit for breach of contract, asserting that Rawal exited despite a signed agreement and initial filming. Rawal responded by returning his ₹11 lakh signing amount with 15% annual interest, signaling a desire to resolve the matter amicably. Director Priyadarshan and co-star Suniel Shetty expressed surprise at Rawal's sudden exit, which has cast uncertainty over the film's production and the future of the beloved franchise.  (PC: The Hindu)

A forthcoming biography, Love, Freddie by Lesley-Ann Jones, unveils a 48-year-old secret: Queen frontman Freddie Mercury fathered a daughter in 1976 during an affair with a close friend's wife. The woman, identified as "B," is now a 48-year-old medical professional and mother living in Europe. Her existence was known only to Mercury's inner circle, including Mary Austin, his parents, and sister. Despite being excluded from his will, Mercury maintained a close relationship with "B," providing her with 17 personal journals chronicling his life. "B" has chosen to come forward to correct misinformation and end decades of secrecy. The biography is set to be released on September 5. (PC: Mathrubhumi)