Shyam Benegal, the renowned filmmaker who pioneered India's parallel cinema movement, has passed away at the age of 90. Known for his realistic and socially relevant films, Benegal revolutionized Indian cinema in the 1970s and 1980s. His works broke away from mainstream Bollywood conventions, focusing on real-life issues and complex narratives. He was admitted to Mumbai's Wockhardt Hospital just days after celebrating his 90th birthday on December 14. Benegal's contributions to cinema have left a lasting impact on Indian filmmaking, and he is remembered as a trailblazer in the industry.

A statue of Dr. BR Ambedkar was vandalised in Ahmedabad early on Monday. Unidentified individuals damaged the statue’s nose and spectacles near Shri KK Shastri College in Khokhra. Police have filed an FIR and are reviewing CCTV footage to identify the culprits. Local residents protested at the site, demanding action against those responsible. The incident follows recent unrest in Parbhani, Maharashtra, after a similar act of vandalism. Authorities have assured swift action, while protests continue in both areas, calling for justice and stricter measures against hate-driven acts.

In a joint operation by Punjab and Uttar Pradesh Police, three Khalistani terrorists were killed in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, early Monday. Identified as Gurvinder Singh (25), Virender Singh alias Ravi (23), and Jaspreet Singh alias Pratap Singh (18), the accused were linked to the banned Khalistan Commando Force. They allegedly attacked a police post in Punjab’s Gurdaspur using grenades. During the encounter, the police seized two AK-47 rifles, two Glock pistols, and live ammunition. A senior police official revealed connections to foreign entities, and an investigation is underway.

Six individuals accused of vandalizing Telugu actor Allu Arjun’s Jubilee Hills residence in Hyderabad were granted bail on Monday. The protestors, claiming to be part of the Osmania University Joint Action Committee (OU-JAC), threw tomatoes and shouted slogans outside the actor’s home on Sunday evening. The controversy follows a stampede incident during the premiere of Allu Arjun’s film "Pushpa 2: The Rule," resulting in a woman’s death and injuries to her son. Telangana CM Revanth Reddy criticized Arjun for attending the event despite safety warnings, alleging negligence that escalated the tragedy.

Three Khalistani terrorists, linked to the banned Khalistan Commando Force, were killed in a joint encounter by Punjab and Uttar Pradesh Police in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh. Gurvinder Singh (25), Virender Singh alias Ravi (23), and Jaspreet Singh alias Pratap Singh (18) were wanted for attacking a police post in Punjab's Gurdaspur. The police recovered two AK-47 rifles, two Glock pistols, and live rounds. The accused fired at the police, leading to retaliatory action. Authorities are investigating their foreign connections. This follows an explosion at an abandoned Gurdaspur police post on December 21, which caused no casualties but heightened tensions.

Air India Express launched its first Surat-Bangkok direct flight, which gained attention after passengers consumed ₹1.8 lakh worth of liquor mid-air. The crew announced they had run out of alcohol before landing in Bangkok, as around 15 liters of premium beverages, including Chivas Regal and beer, were consumed. Passengers also brought traditional Gujarati snacks like thepla and khaman to complement onboard refreshments. Social media users questioned reports, noting the aircraft's passenger capacity likely capped at 176, making alcohol consumption around 85ml per passenger. The incident sparked debate about Gujarat's prohibition policy, with suggestions to review it for regulated alcohol sales.

A dumper truck ran over people sleeping on a footpath in Pune's Wagholi area early Monday. 3 people, including two toddlers, died. The victims were identified as Vaibhavi Pawar (1), Vaibhav Pawar (2), and Vishal Pawar (22). Six others were injured and are being treated at Sassoon General Hospital. The tragedy happened around 12:30 am near Kesnand Phata. Most victims were labourers. Police detained the truck driver and are checking if he was drunk. The accident has shocked the community, and authorities are investigating the case to determine the cause and prevent such incidents in the future.

Hyderabad Police released CCTV footage contradicting actor Allu Arjun’s claim of being unaware of the December 4 stampede at Sandhya Theatre during the "Pushpa 2" premiere. The incident left one woman dead and several injured. Police allege Arjun’s team blocked officers from informing him about the chaos. Telangana CM Revanth Reddy accused Arjun of visiting without police permission. The controversy escalated as protesters vandalized Arjun’s residence, demanding compensation for victims. Political parties BJP and BRS criticized the Congress-led state government for targeting the National Award-winning actor. Arjun called the allegations baseless, asserting police escorted him during the incident.

Jagjit Singh Dallewal, 70, continues his fast-unto-death at the Khanauri border, demanding legal guarantees for Minimum Support Price (MSP). Doctors warn of cardiac arrest and multi-organ failure, describing him as hemodynamically unstable. His prolonged hunger strike has severely weakened his immunity, putting him at risk of infections and nervous system damage. Farmers’ organizations announced symbolic hunger strikes on December 26, marking one month of his protest. Despite multiple attempts by farmer groups to march to Delhi, they were stopped by security forces. Farmers have been protesting at the Punjab-Haryana border since February.

A 4-year-old boy, Ayush Laxman Kinvade, was killed after being hit by a speeding Hyundai Creta SUV in Mumbai. The accident occurred when the car, driven by 19-year-old Sandeep Gole, struck the boy. Police reported that Ayush’s family lives on the footpath and his father is a worker. The driver, a resident of Vile Parle, has been arrested. Further investigation is ongoing. Maharashtra has been flagged as one of the states with the highest number of road accidents, with over 66,000 road fatalities recorded in the past five years.