Comedian and actor Russell Brand appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on May 2, 2025, facing charges of rape, sexual assault, and indecent assault related to four women. The alleged incidents occurred between 1999 and 2005. Brand, 49, who has denied all allegations, was granted conditional bail during the brief court hearing. He confirmed his identity before being released, with a future court date set for May 30, 2025, at London’s Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey). Brand has vehemently denied engaging in non-consensual acts. (PC: Euronews)

Rockstar Games has officially delayed the release of Grand Theft Auto VI to May 2026, pushing it back from the originally planned fall 2025 launch. The developer cited the need for additional time to ensure the game meets its high quality standards. The delay caused a dip in the stock value of Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar’s parent company. Set in the fictional state of Leonida, inspired by Florida, GTA VI will feature Lucia, the franchise’s first female lead. The game will be released on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S platforms. (PC: Getty Images)

Sir David Attenborough, 98, speaks about nearing the end of his life in a new documentary called Ocean. The film shows the beauty of the sea and the damage it faces today. Attenborough recalls how people once believed the ocean should be controlled, but now knows it must be protected. He calls the ocean “our greatest asset” in the fight against climate change. The film is full of hope, showing how the sea can heal if cared for. Ocean releases globally in cinemas on May 8 and will later stream on National Geographic, Disney Plus, and Hulu. (PC: Metro)

The Bollywood film Abir Gulaal, featuring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor, will not release in India, as per sources from the Centre's Information and Broadcasting Ministry. The decision follows the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, where 25 tourists and a local resident were killed. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) had earlier opposed the film's release, citing strained India-Pakistan relations. Post-attack, opposition intensified, with cinema halls and entertainment bodies advocating for a boycott. Consequently, the ministry has denied the film's release. Both Khan and Kapoor expressed grief over the incident, with Khan condemning the attack and Kapoor stating she was "devastated." (PC: Pinkvilla)

Following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 tourists, Pakistani actor Fawad Khan faces backlash in India. His upcoming Hindi film, Abir Gulaal, set for release on May 9, is under fire, with the Film Federation of India opposing its release. This mirrors the 2016 Uri attack aftermath, when Pakistani artists were barred from Indian cinema. Fawad Khan had previously faced criticism for his role in Karan Johar's Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. Similarly, Shah Rukh Khan's 2017 film Raees, featuring Pakistani actress Mahira Khan, encountered protests. The current situation underscores the ongoing tension between India and Pakistan, affecting cross-border artistic collaborations.

Kristen Stewart and screenwriter Dylan Meyer have officially tied the knot in an intimate ceremony held in the backyard of Stewart’s Los Angeles home. The couple, who got engaged in 2021 after publicly confirming their relationship in 2019, reportedly obtained their marriage license just days before the wedding. According to TMZ, the ceremony took place on Sunday and was attended by close friends, including Ashley Benson and her husband Brandon Jack James. Stewart wore a gray skirt-blouse set with a white crop top, while Meyer donned a sheer white top and beige satin skirt. The couple has yet to comment publicly. (PC: X/popbase)

Aamir Khan is set to return to the big screen with Sitaare Zameen Par, a spiritual sequel to Taare Zameen Par. Unlike the emotional tone of the original, this film leans into comedy while retaining its focus on differently-abled individuals. Aamir plays Gulshan, a rude, politically incorrect basketball coach who undergoes transformation through his interactions with a special needs team. The film, directed by RS Prasanna and co-starring Darsheel Safary and Genelia Deshmukh, is a remake of the Spanish film Champions. Fans can expect laughter, life lessons, and a fresh perspective on empathy and inclusion.

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has apologized for a controversial remark about Brahmins made during a spat on X (formerly Twitter), which he says has led to rape and death threats against his family. In an Instagram post, Kashyap clarified that his apology is for the misinterpreted line, not the original post, and urged that any abuse be directed at him, not his family. The controversy escalated after the trailer release of his film Phule, which some Brahmin groups claimed promotes casteism. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has since cut scenes from the film, delaying its release to April 25. Kashyap criticized the CBFC, alleging a biased and opaque censorship process. (PC: The Economic Times)

The makers of the Bollywood film Jaat, starring Sunny Deol and Randeep Hooda, have removed a controversial church scene after it triggered protests for allegedly hurting Christian sentiments. The scene showed Hooda’s character in a crucifixion-like pose beneath a church crucifix, sparking outrage. An FIR was registered under Section 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Responding to the backlash, the filmmakers issued an apology and promptly edited out the scene. Directed by Gopichand Malineni, Jaat released on April 10, 2025, and this move aims to defuse rising tensions over religious sensitivities. (PC: Hindustan Times)

Hollywood actor Jessica Chastain joined a growing backlash against Katy Perry’s all-female Blue Origin space mission, calling it an "utter defeat of American feminism." Chastain reposted a Guardian opinion piece slamming the flight's branding as superficial and unserious. Perry’s 11-minute journey alongside Gayle King, Amanda Nguyen, Aisha Bowe, Kerianne Flynn, and Lauren Sanchez has drawn criticism from celebrities like Emily Ratajkowski and Olivia Munn. While Perry described the experience as spiritually uplifting, critics argue it reduced feminism to a flashy PR stunt. The mission has ignited a heated debate about representation, empowerment, and substance in modern feminism. (Hindustan Times)