Indian filmmaker Anuparna Roy made history at the 82nd Venice Film Festival, becoming the first Indian director to win Best Director in the Orizzonti section for her debut feature "Songs of Forgotten Trees." The film, starring Naaz Shaikh and Sumi Baghel, follows two women whose lives intertwine in Mumbai. Roy dedicated the award to "every woman who's ever been silenced, overlooked, or underestimated," calling it a tribute to women in cinema and beyond. The film was India's sole entry in the prestigious section and was presented by Anurag Kashyap. Producers Bibhanshu Rai, Romil Modi, and Ranjan Singh praised Roy's determination despite production challenges. The festival concluded with "Father Mother Sister Brother" winning the Golden Lion. (PC: Times Now)

A 41-year-old actress named Anushka Manimohan Das was arrested in Maharashtra's Thane for allegedly running a sex trafficking ring by exploiting aspiring actresses. Police report she lured young women with promises of opportunities in films and TV serials. Two undercover police officers posed as clients to contact Anushka, who arranged a meeting to collect payment. She was caught red-handed during this operation. The investigation led to the rescue of two young women who were seeking to enter the acting industry. The case highlights the exploitation of vulnerable aspiring performers through false promises of career advancement in the entertainment industry. (PC: Aajkaal)

An FIR has been registered against filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali at Bichwal police station in Rajasthan's Bikaner district following a court directive. Jodhpur-based Radha Films CEO Prateek Raj Mathur filed the complaint, alleging he was appointed as line producer for 'Love and War' but later removed without payment. Mathur accused Bhansali and production managers of misbehavior, pushing, insulting, and threatening him at Hotel Narendra Bhawan on August 17. The charges include cheating and criminal breach of trust.The romantic war drama stars Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal, scheduled for December release after extensive Bikaner shooting.Police are examining allegations from all parties involved. (PC: Wikipedia)

Poet and lyricist Javed Akhtar responded to West Bengal Urdu Academy's event cancellation after Islamic groups objected to his participation, accusing him of insulting religion. Akhtar, invited as chief guest for "Urdu in Hindi Cinema" panel discussion, said receiving "hate mail from both sides" confirms he's "doing something right." He emphasized his Persian name has no religious association, criticizing India's tendency to link names with religion. Author Taslima Nasreen condemned the academy's decision, warning that bowing to extremist threats empowers them. The cancellation drew criticism from poet-filmmaker Gauhar Raza and civil rights groups like APDR, who flagged broader dangers to democratic rights and freedom of expression in contemporary discourse. (PC: Black Hat Talent Solutions)

Pop star Justin Bieber shocked guests by crashing an Indian wedding in Los Angeles, leaving the bride and attendees overjoyed. A viral video shows Bieber walking in casually, mingling with guests, and posing for photos with bridesmaids. The bride, dressed in a green saree with gold jewellery, looked stunned but thrilled by the surprise. Fans flooded social media with excitement, joking they would leave their husbands if Bieber appeared at their weddings. The singer’s appearance came soon after the release of his seventh studio album Swag, featuring collaborations with Gunna, Lil B, and gospel icon Marvin Winans.

The Times Group has officially partnered with the Government of Gujarat to host the 70th Filmfare Awards 2025, marking the second consecutive year the prestigious event returns to the state. The announcement was made at a press conference attended by Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel, Times Group MD Vineet Jain, filmmaker Karan Johar, and actor Vikrant Massey. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will be signed to formalize the collaboration. Vineet Jain emphasized Filmfare’s legacy of celebrating cinematic excellence for 70 years and expressed pride in continuing the partnership. The awards will once again unite Bollywood’s biggest stars, directors, producers, and technicians in a grand celebration of Indian cinema. (PC: The Quint & Times Now)

Lollapalooza India 2026 tickets sold out within 30 minutes of general sale opening, driven by massive excitement over Linkin Park's announced India debut. The legendary rock band will headline the festival at Mumbai's Mahalaxmi Racecourse on January 25, 2026, as part of their From Zero World Tour. This marks Linkin Park's first-ever performance in India, creating unprecedented demand among fans who have waited years for this opportunity. The lightning-fast sellout demonstrates the immense popularity of both the festival and the band in the Indian market. The announcement represents a milestone moment for India's music festival landscape, with Linkin Park's signature high-energy performance style promising to deliver an unforgettable experience for Indian rock music enthusiasts. (PC: Linkin Park & Bloomberg)

India’s iconic freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is the subject of a new AI-generated anime series titled DQN. Created by Tokyo-based Indian alumnus Kushagra Kushwaha, the show’s trailer features Bose rallying his troops against a fictional oppressor, Avalon, with impassioned words of resistance such as, “Our land, our future and identity — all are imprisoned… never bow before Avalon’s tyranny” . DQN unfolds in a cyberpunk world infused with AI, following a high-stakes race among 12 individuals seeking a hidden vault that could change the power dynamics of society . The creator brings rich anime expertise from projects like Vinland Saga and JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, and the production is led by AI studio Morphic. (PC: The Telegraph)

Pop icon Taylor Swift and NFL star Travis Kelce joyously confirmed their engagement via a joint Instagram post on August 26, 2025, captioned: “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married” . According to Kelce’s father, Ed, the proposal occurred nearly two weeks earlier in a garden at Lee’s Summit, Missouri, following a casual decision prompted by parental encouragement . Kelce crafted a bespoke Old Mine brilliant-cut diamond ring in collaboration with Kindred Lubeck of Artifex Fine Jewelry, shown in romantic engagement photos under a floral trellis. Both 35, the couple’s relationship—sparked in 2023—has captivated global audiences, merging music’s biggest star with football royalty in a modern-day fairytale. (PC: News 18)

Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce are officially engaged after nearly two years of dating. The couple shared dreamy garden photos on Instagram, showing Travis on one knee among pink and white roses and Taylor’s dazzling diamond ring. They captioned it, “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married.” The pair first sparked dating rumours in 2023 after Travis attended Taylor’s Eras Tour concert. Over the past year, they have been seen at NFL games, concerts, and family events. Fans are excited and eagerly awaiting wedding details for this pop culture couple. (PC: News18)