Javed Akhtar’s 80th birthday on January 17, 2025, saw an unforgettable celebration with Bollywood's biggest stars. A viral video from the event captured Aamir Khan, Farhan Akhtar, and Shankar Mahadevan performing the iconic title track from Dil Chahta Hai, which Mahadevan originally sang. The trio’s musical tribute added to the joy of the event, attended by Amitabh Bachchan, Urmila Matondkar, and others. Actress Urmila shared moments from the day on Instagram, showcasing her interactions with Javed Akhtar, Amitabh Bachchan, and others. The celebration highlighted the deep admiration and camaraderie between the industry’s finest talents.

Coldplay’s India tour began with a memorable performance at Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium, where lead singer Chris Martin acknowledged historical ties between India and Britain. During the concert, Martin said, “Thanks for forgiving us for everything the Britishers did,” drawing cheers from the audience. He also greeted fans in Hindi, saying “shukriya,” and spontaneously read “Jai Shri Ram” from a placard, asking about its meaning. Fans were delighted by the band’s heartfelt connection. Coldplay performed hits like Paradise and Viva La Vida. The band will perform again in Mumbai on January 21-22 before heading to Ahmedabad.

Coldplay’s Chris Martin thrilled fans at Mumbai’s Dr DY Patil Stadium by giving a shoutout to Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah. During the performance of "Sky Full of Stars," Martin paused to mention Bumrah, saying, "We have to finish the show because Jasprit Bumrah wants to bowl at me now." The crowd erupted with cheers as Martin chanted "Bumrah Bumrah" alongside fans. Bumrah, recently named in India’s Champions Trophy squad, remains a fan favorite despite his recent back spasms. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar confirmed Bumrah’s availability for the final ODI against England, pending fitness assessments.

Coldplay kicked off the India leg of their Music of the Spheres Tour in Mumbai, delivering an unforgettable performance. The highlight of the night came when frontman Chris Martin greeted fans in Hindi, saying, "Mumbai mein aakar hum e bohot khushi ho rahi hai." The crowd erupted with excitement as the band played hit tracks like "Viva La Vida," "Hymn for the Weekend," and "Adventure of a Lifetime." The concert, which featured spectacular light shows, marked Coldplay's return to India after a nine-year hiatus, with more performances planned in Mumbai and Ahmedabad.

Coldplay's frontman Chris Martin, in Mumbai for the band's world tour, had a sweet moment with a young fan outside a Lord Shiva temple. On January 18, as Martin was exiting the temple with girlfriend Dakota Johnson, two young boys greeted him. One of the boys asked for tickets to Coldplay's concert, but Chris, without tickets, offered them a badge instead. A heartwarming video of the exchange has gone viral. The band is set to perform in Mumbai on January 18, 19, and 21, and later in Ahmedabad on January 25-26.

Coldplay is setting a benchmark in sustainability with eco-friendly practices on their global tours. The band minimizes air travel, opting for commercial flights and using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to cut carbon emissions by up to 80%. On the ground, they rely on electric vehicles and biofuels. They’ve planted 7M trees across 24 countries in partnership with One Tree Planted. To combat plastic pollution, they’ve deployed solar-powered river interceptors by The Ocean Cleanup. Their concerts feature free water refill stations and have achieved an 86% reuse rate for LED wristbands. Additionally, 72% of tour waste is recycled or composted.

Coldplay has announced the release of additional tickets for their Ahmedabad concerts on January 25 and 26 at Narendra Modi Stadium. The tickets will be available for purchase on BookMyShow starting at 6:00 pm IST, with the waiting room opening an hour earlier at 5:00 pm. Fans will be able to buy up to four tickets per transaction. This follows a similar sale for the band's Mumbai shows earlier this month. Limited tickets remain for the Ahmedabad concerts, so fans are urged to act quickly to secure their spot for the highly anticipated performances.

India’s live music industry is thriving, with concert revenues projected to touch ₹1,000 crore by 2025. Global artists like Coldplay, Dua Lipa, and Ed Sheeran, alongside Indian stars like Diljit Dosanjh, are drawing massive crowds. An EY report highlights a shift towards experiential spending, fueled by rising disposable incomes and music tourism. BookMyShow data reveals an 18% increase in live events spanning 319 cities. However, infrastructure, regulatory guidelines, and rising production costs challenge organisers. Singer Shaan calls this boom “encouraging,” while Diljit Dosanjh stresses the need for better venues. India's evolving concert culture signals a bright future for live entertainment.

Bollywood actor Deepika Padukone has voiced her disapproval of the suggestion made by L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan that employees should work seven days a week. In a recent social media post, Deepika called the remark "shocking" and underscored the importance of maintaining a work-life balance and prioritizing mental health. Subrahmanyan's comment, made during an employee meeting, advocated for a 90-hour work week, including Sundays. His statement has sparked further debate over work-life balance, following similar remarks from Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy.

Actor and dancer Nora Fatehi shared her harrowing experience amid the ongoing Los Angeles wildfires. She revealed that she and her team were ordered to evacuate due to the escalating crisis. On Instagram, Nora described the chaos, saying, “I have never seen anything like this. This is insane, we just got an evacuation order five minutes ago.” The fires have devastated neighborhoods, including the upscale Pacific Palisades, with over 1,000 structures destroyed. Several celebrities have been forced to evacuate, and authorities continue battling the fast-moving fires. Five lives have been lost, with losses topping $50 billion.