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Real estate developer House of Abhinandan Lodha (HoABL) has sold a 2.67-acre plot in Ayodhya to Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan for Rs 35 crore. According to the company, the deal was completed on Friday by Rajesh Yadav, managing director of AB Corp Ltd. The land is situated close to HoABL’s 75-acre luxury development project, The Sarayu. In January 2024, Bachchan had already purchased plots within the same project. This marks his third investment in Ayodhya through HoABL and his fourth investment in the city overall. Previously, Bachchan also bought a 10,000-square-foot plot in HoABL’s Sol de Alibaug project. Abhinandan Lodha, chairman of HoABL, said Bachchan’s investment highlights the belief that land is a long-term asset capable of preserving value for future generations. He added that Ayodhya is gaining attention as a promising location for land ownership due to continued infrastructure development and public investment. Established in 2020, HoABL has grown into one of India’s major branded land developers, focusing on transparent, technology-driven land transactions. Over the past five years, the company has sold more than 13 million square feet of developed land and currently has around 34 million square feet under development. HoABL operates projects in several locations including Alibaug, Anjarle, Vrindavan, Dapoli, Goa, Khopoli, Nagpur and Neral. The developer also plans to launch new projects in Amritsar, Shimla and Varanasi. Looking ahead, HoABL aims to expand its presence to 48 cities across India to meet growing demand for plotted developments in areas driven by infrastructure growth and tourism. Recently, the company also entered the vertical real estate segment, launching three residential projects in Mumbai with a combined development area of about 3.1 million square feet.    

Filmmaker Lakshmipriya Devi has spoken about the labels she has faced in her career after her film Boong made history by becoming the first Indian movie to win at the British Academy Film Awards in 2026. Written and directed by Devi, the film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival before going on to gain recognition at several international festivals. Ahead of the film’s theatrical release, the filmmakers held a press conference where Devi reflected on how she has often been categorised during her career, including being described as a “woman director” or a “Northeastern filmmaker.” She said she has frequently been placed in multiple boxes because of her background and gender, but she never viewed herself in those terms. Devi said her upbringing in Manipur influenced her understanding of gender roles. She noted that women in the region are particularly strong, joking that men there sometimes have it tougher. The director also said the most difficult part of making Boong was not the circumstances of filming but confronting her own creativity. Having previously worked on the sets of large productions such as Dunki, Talaash, Rang De Basanti and PK, she found the scale of Boong comparatively small. Despite its modest production scale, the film has connected strongly with audiences, particularly children. Devi recalled that young viewers at children’s film festivals in Europe enthusiastically asked for a sequel. However, she said she currently has no plans to make a second part. According to the director, many elements of the film are drawn from her own experiences. She said several scenes were inspired by events she had personally lived through, including crossing a border in a way similar to the film’s protagonist. Devi also explained that the screenplay developed naturally and was written in a style similar to a personal diary. She added that the story reflects both discrimination she has witnessed and the strength of Manipur’s gender-diverse community, which she said has played an important role in empowering society. The filmmaker also believes that films from northeastern India are gaining greater global visibility due to changing times, pointing to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of social media in helping such stories reach wider audiences. The film features child actor Gugun Kipgen, who was nine years old when the film was shot. At the press conference, he said he was disappointed that he could not attend the BAFTA ceremony but described the award as a remarkable achievement. Kipgen also shared that he grew up watching the animated movie Zootopia, and it felt surreal to see Boong nominated alongside its sequel. Devi revealed that the young actor almost left the project during filming because the cast had to train in Thang Ta for certain scenes, which proved physically demanding. Boong tells the story of a young boy growing up in Manipur who embarks on a cross-border journey to search for his missing father. Through the child’s perspective, the film explores themes of identity, displacement, discrimination and resilience while portraying everyday life in the region with warmth and humour. #With inputs from NDTV

Britney Spears was arrested Wednesday night in Southern California and booked early the following morning, though the exact charge was not immediately clear, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office website. Messages seeking comment were left with the sheriff’s office, the California Highway Patrol—identified as the arresting agency—and Spears’ representative. Sheriff’s office records show that Spears was arrested around 9:30 p.m. in Ventura County and released on Thursday. She is scheduled to appear in court on May 4. ‘Pushpa’ stars Allu Arjun reunite at Rashmika-Vijay wedding reception Spears, who was born in Mississippi and raised in Louisiana, became a teenage pop sensation and one of the defining superstars of the 1990s and 2000s. She first gained attention as a cast member of the The Mickey Mouse Club before achieving global fame with major hits such as ...Baby One More Time, Oops!... I Did It Again and Toxic. Most of her albums have received platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America, including two diamond-certified titles—...Baby One More Time and Oops!... I Did It Again. Her most recent studio album, Glory, was released in 2016. Spears drew intense tabloid attention in the early 2000s as she struggled with mental health issues while paparazzi closely followed her private life. Public attitudes later shifted, leading to the #FreeBritney movement, which supported her efforts to regain control over her personal and financial affairs. She had been placed under a court-ordered conservatorship in 2008, largely managed by her father and his lawyers, which lasted more than a decade before being dissolved in 2021. In 2023, she released her bestselling memoir, The Woman in Me.

Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda hosted a grand wedding reception in Hyderabad days after tying the knot in Udaipur, bringing together several stars from the Telugu film industry. The event became a mini reunion for ‘Pushpa’ co-stars, as Allu Arjun joined their reception. In the hit film, Allu Arjun and Rashmika played on-screen lovers who eventually married, making their appearance together a treat for fans. Rashmika looked stunning in a traditional red saree with gold and black borders, while Vijay opted for a simple white kurta and dhoti. Allu Arjun chose a loose-fit kurta with geometric stripes and floral patterns. Other notable attendees included Ram Charan, Chiranjeevi, Nagarjuna, Neena Gupta, Namrata Shirodkar, and Nani. The couple had their official wedding on February 26 at ITC Mementos, Udaipur, celebrating both their cultures with a Telugu Hindu ceremony in the morning and a Kodava ritual in the evening. Rashmika and Vijay later shared pictures from their wedding on Instagram, with heartfelt messages about their journey together. Vijay described his bride as his “home and calm,” while Rashmika introduced him as the man who “taught her what true love feels like.” Fans also have something to look forward to, as the duo is set to reunite on-screen in Rahul Sankrityan’s upcoming film ‘Ranabaali’. With inputs from NDTV

The makers of Yash-starrer Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups have postponed its release to June 4, citing the ongoing Middle East conflict as the reason for the delay. The film was originally scheduled to release on March 19. In an official note shared on X, Yash said the film was created to reach a global audience in Kannada and English, but “the current uncertainty, especially in the Middle East, impacts our goal to connect with the widest possible audience.” With Toxic now rescheduled, Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar 2 will be the sole major Bollywood release on March 19. Toxic is produced by Venkat K. Narayana and Yash under KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations. Directed by Geetu Mohandas, the film features Yash alongside Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Kiara Advani, Tara Sutaria, and Rukmini Vasanth, with dubbed versions planned in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam. Source: NDTV

Michael B Jordan has shaken up this year’s Oscars race after securing a surprise best actor victory at the Actor Awards, formerly known as the Screen Actors Guild Awards. Jordan was honoured for his performance in vampire horror film Sinners, which also clinched the night’s top prize for best ensemble cast. The unexpected win gives the actor renewed momentum just weeks ahead of the Academy Awards scheduled for March 15. “I wasn’t expecting this at all,” Jordan said while accepting the award, expressing gratitude to his co-stars, director and family. He paid tribute to his mother Donna for supporting his acting ambitions from an early age and thanked director Ryan Coogler along with the film’s cast and crew. Co-star Delroy Lindo described making the film as an “incredible journey,” saying the cast brought “our hearts and souls” to the project. The awards came a week after the Bafta Film Awards, where Jordan and Lindo were commended for their composure following an on-stage disruption. Lindo later thanked supporters at the NAACP Image Awards, calling the response overwhelmingly positive. Other film winners included Sean Penn for One Battle After Another and Jessie Buckley for Hamnet, continuing her dominant run in the best actress category this season. In a surprise result, Amy Madigan won supporting actress for Weapons, boosting her late Oscar prospects. Television honours saw a posthumous win for Catherine O'Hara for her role in The Studio. The award was accepted by co-star Seth Rogen, who praised her talent and generosity. The series also won best comedy ensemble, while Rogen picked up best comedy actor. In the drama categories, The Pitt won best ensemble, with Noah Wyle earning best drama actor. Veteran star Harrison Ford received the lifetime achievement award, reflecting on a career spanning more than six decades that includes roles in Star Wars, Indiana Jones and Blade Runner. With 16 Oscar nominations, Sinners heads into the Academy Awards as a strong best picture contender, facing competition from One Battle After Another, which has secured major wins at other precursor events. While Buckley remains the clear frontrunner in best actress, Jordan’s Actor Award triumph has made the best actor contest one of the tightest races ahead of Hollywood’s biggest night.   With inputs from BBC

Popular TV dramas such as Bridgerton are helping many of England’s stately homes survive by providing much needed income, attracting visitors and funding conservation work, heritage groups say. With new episodes of Bridgerton released on Netflix, historic houses across England are again in focus. Filming has become a key source of revenue for many estates that struggle with high maintenance costs. The charity English Heritage, which manages about 400 historic properties, says many of its sites are used regularly for film and TV productions. One example is Ranger’s House in Greenwich, which appears as the Bridgerton family home. Christina Pascoe, commercial development lead at English Heritage, said money from TV productions helps pay for basic but costly work. This includes replacing curtains and carpets, repairing stonework and cleaning windows, all of which require specialist skills. English Heritage said its most popular filming location is Wrest Park near Silsoe in Bedfordshire. The site has appeared in The Crown and Downton Abbey and was recently closed to visitors for a film shoot. Pascoe said its rooms look similar to those in Buckingham Palace and are mostly unfurnished, making filming easier. Tony Wood, a supervising location manager who has worked on Bridgerton, said filming at historic homes is far from glamorous. He said large crews, trucks and cables are hidden from view. Wood added that properties within 30 miles of London are most attractive as they reduce hotel costs. He said studios cannot fully replace real stately homes. Building several connected and highly detailed rooms would cost far more than filming on location, and studios cannot recreate views of open countryside. The National Trust, which looks after more than 500 properties in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, said filming fees usually start at around £6,000 a day. Senior filming officer Harvey Edgington said costs rise if a property must close to the public, especially during peak summer months. Edgington said estates farther from London are becoming more popular as new studios open across the UK. He said filming the upcoming Peaky Blinders movie at Calke Abbey helped pay for improvements such as a new visitor car park. Appearing in major productions can also boost visitor numbers. Edgington said Antony House in Cornwall saw visitor numbers quadruple after featuring in the 2010 film Alice in Wonderland. Stowe House near Buckingham, a Grade I listed estate, has appeared in Bridgerton and older films such as Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Because it is also a school, filming is limited to holidays. Even when a planned shoot for director Ridley Scott’s Napoleon was cancelled, producers still paid the agreed fee. Susy Pullen, who manages commercial activity at Stowe House, said income from filming is essential as all work in historic buildings is expensive. In some cases, film crews have even paid to restore damaged features they noticed. Ashridge House near Tring in Hertfordshire has also benefited from filming. Parts of the Harry Potter films used moulds taken from the house to create Hogwarts sets. Managing director David Evans said filming provides a significant share of the estate’s income and helped fund repairs such as replacing 200 year old gutters. Evans said appearing on screen also helps attract younger visitors. He said films and TV shows introduce historic houses to people who might not otherwise visit them, helping to secure their future for generations to come.   With inputs from BBC

New Delhi , Newly married actors Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna have announced plans to celebrate their wedding by organising ‘annadanam’ at temples across the country on Sunday. Apart from offering free meals at multiple temples, the couple said they will also send trucks loaded with sweets to more than 20 cities nationwide to share their joy with fans. In a joint social media message, they expressed gratitude to people across India for being part of their journey and said they wished to mark the special occasion in a way that reflects how the country celebrates — with food and sweets. They said trucks carrying sweets would travel to cities including Hyderabad, Mahbubnagar, Karimnagar, Delhi, Chandigarh, Noida, Ghaziabad, Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Mumbai, Jaipur, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Puttaparthi, Kochi, Mysuru, Coorg, Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Chennai and Puducherry. The couple also sought blessings from well-wishers. Vijay and Rashmika tied the knot on February 26. Meanwhile, a preview of the song ‘Endhayya Saami’ from their upcoming film Ranabaali was unveiled on Saturday. In the film, Vijay plays the titular role, while Rashmika portrays his wife Jayamma. Actor Arnold Vosloo, known for his role in The Mummy, features as the antagonist Sir Theodore Hector. According to sources, Ranabaali is inspired by real events from the 1850s that remain largely absent from mainstream history books. The project marks Vijay and Rashmika’s first on-screen collaboration since their marriage, following earlier films such as Geetha Govindam and Dear Comrade.   Source NDTV

The wife of television actor Zaher Alvi reportedly committed suicide in the capital’s Mirpur DOHS on Saturday. Alvi confirmed the matter through a post on his verified Facebook page. However, he did not mention any reason behind the incident. In the post, the actor wrote, “This noon, my wife Ikra committed suicide at our Mirpur DOHS residence. Now, I am in Nepal for a shooting project. Since hearing the news, I have not been in a state to speak. I do not understand why she chose to leave this way without thinking about our child and me.” Bollywood veteran actor-comedian Asrani dies at 84 He further wrote, “I request my well-wishers and journalist brothers to please give me some time. I am trying to return to Dhaka as soon as possible and will speak to everyone after I get back. Until then, during this moment of grief, please allow me and my family some mental peace. For the sake of our child’s future, please do not spread any misleading information. Please pray for my Ikra.” Alvi and Ikra have a son.

Sankgeetha Sornalingam, wife of actor-politician and TVK founder Joseph Vijay Chandrasekar, has filed for divorce, citing irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. In her petition submitted to a family court in Chengalpattu District, Sankgeetha accused her husband of maintaining an extramarital relationship with an actress and subjecting her to “persistent mental cruelty, neglect, and desertion.” She stated that, if necessary, she would include the actress as a second respondent in the case. The divorce plea, filed under the Special Marriage Act, 1954, is scheduled to be heard on April 10. Sankgeetha requested that all proceedings be held in camera to protect the privacy of the parties involved. She also sought a court injunction to prevent media outlets, social media platforms, and YouTube channels from publishing any content related to the case, warning that such coverage could cause further mental anguish and humiliation to her and her family. According to the petition, since 2021, Vijay has “emotionally withdrawn” and treated Sankgeetha with verbal disdain, forcing her to live separately within the matrimonial home. His ongoing public association with the actress caused her emotional distress and embarrassment, particularly affecting their children socially. To avoid publicity, she has not disclosed the actress’s name but reserves the right to do so if needed. Sankgeetha said she attempted to resolve matters amicably through legal notices and personal discussions with Vijay between August 2024 and February 2025, with the last meeting on November 9, 2025, but all efforts to reach a mutually acceptable solution failed. The petition notes that the couple first registered their marriage in the United Kingdom on July 10, 1998, followed by a ceremonial wedding in Chennai on August 25, 1999.   Source: NDTV