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Ilaiyaraaja Builds New Studio at 77, Thaman Calls Him “Living Musical Legend”
South India’s music maestro S. S. Thaman has expressed immense admiration for the legendary Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja, who recently set up a new recording studio at the age of 77. Praising the veteran composer, Thaman called him “a living musical legend” and “a human who never gave up!”
On Wednesday, Ilaiyaraaja took to his X account to mark a milestone, announcing the completion of five years in his new studio. Sharing his progress, he wrote, “February 03, 2026 marks completion of five years since I moved into this new studio… and the writing of my second Symphony is almost completed.”
Inspired by the legend, Thaman quoted the post and said, “Made his OWN RECORDING STUDIO AT AGE – 77. The living musical legend. A Human Who Never Gave Up ❤️. Come on boys!! We have just started. One life. Let’s live. Believe in the future… Learn from the master @ilaiyaraaja gaaru.”
Ilaiyaraaja, who brought international acclaim by becoming the first Indian to present a Western classical symphony, had announced last October that he would begin work on his second symphony. Following his recent performance in Dubai, he thanked fans and audiences for their overwhelming love, warmth, and energy.
Tripti Dimri Stuns in Elegant Traditional Look Ahead of Spirit
Tripti Dimri, who is all set to star alongside Prabhas in the highly anticipated film Spirit, has recently shared stunning new pictures showcasing a beautiful traditional look. The actress, steadily becoming one of Bollywood’s most talked-about faces, once again captured everyone’s attention with her graceful appearance. Fans are particularly loving this softer, ethnic side of Tripti as she gears up for several major projects.
In the photos, Tripti dons an elegant orange traditional outfit adorned with intricate golden work. The sleeveless ensemble perfectly complements her poised silhouette, while golden bangles and matching earrings add a touch of richness. She wears her hair open, enhancing the outfit’s charm, and her soft pink lipstick gives her a fresh, glowing finish. The overall look is simple yet striking—effortlessly stylish and eye-catching.
On the professional front, Tripti has an impressive lineup of projects. Alongside Spirit, she will star in O’ Romeo opposite Shahid Kapoor and is also part of films like Maa Behen, marking her growing footprint in the industry. With a combination of style, talent, and exciting projects, Tripti Dimri is all set to captivate audiences once again.
Teja Sajja’s Mirai Breaks Records on OTT and TV
Teja Sajja has continued his winning streak with Mirai, which has emerged as a sensational blockbuster at the box office. Directed by Karthik Ghattamaneni, the film has received extraordinary acclaim across all platforms.
Following its release on Jio Hotstar, Mirai recorded exceptional streaming numbers, resonating strongly with both young viewers and family audiences. The film created yet another milestone with its World Television Premiere on Star Maa, registering a phenomenal TRP of 9.1+, peaking at 10.80 during the final hour—marking the highest TRP of 2026.
At a time when many films struggle to achieve strong television ratings due to early OTT releases, Mirai stands out as a rare success, performing exceptionally in theatres, OTT, and TV.
Produced by TG Vishwa Prasad’s People Media Factory, the film has impressed audiences with its balanced blend of spirituality, action, emotion, and fantasy.
Mirai also made waves on Hindi television, with its reception comparable to the blockbuster Saiyaara. It went on to become Star Gold’s top-rated film of 2025, surprising many with its cross-lingual appeal.
Over 3,800 Indians Deported from US in 2025
The Government of India informed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday that over 3,800 Indian nationals were deported from the United States in 2025. According to data shared in a written response to a query by Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, 3,414 Indians were deported through Washington till mid-December.
Congress member Randeep Singh Surjewala had sought details on the number of Indian nationals deported from the US and other countries over the past five years, along with preventive measures such as registration or licensing of travel agencies and border coordination to protect vulnerable youth. He also inquired whether any targets or timelines have been fixed to curb illegal migration through the so-called “Dunki route.”
The term “Dunki route” refers to illegal immigration channels, particularly those leading to North America. The data also provided deportation figures by Indian consulates in the US: New York (47), Atlanta (31), Houston (234), San Francisco (49), and Seattle (31).
Singh emphasized that the Indian government works closely with the US and other countries on deportation matters and maintains constant dialogue with US authorities to ensure “humane treatment” of Indian nationals, particularly women and children, during deportation operations.
The government also highlighted actions against illegal recruitment agents, criminal facilitators, and human trafficking networks. Based on deportee testimonies, central and state authorities have registered cases, and investigations are ongoing.
The Ministry of External Affairs underlined that the safety and well-being of Indian nationals traveling abroad for employment remain a top priority. As per the Emigration Act of 1983, no person or agency can operate as a recruiting agent (RA) without a valid license from the Protector General of Emigrants. Mandatory registration of RAs aims to prevent fraud and exploitation of Indian emigrants.
Additionally, Emigration Clearance (EC) is required for Emigration Check Required (ECR) passport holders traveling to any of the 19 notified ECR countries. The ministry also issues advisories via the eMigrate portal, social media, and other channels to alert prospective emigrants about fake job rackets. By December 2025, a total of 3,505 unregistered agents in India had been notified on the eMigrate portal.
Pawan Kalyan Slams YCP Over Tirumala Laddu Controversy
Andhra Pradesh politics have come to revolve almost entirely around Tirumala, as the sacred hill shrine finds itself at the centre of intense political turmoil following allegations of Tirumala laddu contamination.
The NDA government has made it clear that those responsible will not be spared. In this backdrop, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan made strong and pointed remarks, launching a scathing attack on the YSR Congress Party and its leadership.
Pawan Kalyan stated that the controversy is rooted in the ideology of the YCP itself. “These are the same people who once argued that Tirumala does not need seven hills and that two hills are enough. That party was born out of such thinking, so what more can we expect from them?” he remarked.
The Deputy CM also recalled the controversial remarks allegedly made by former Chief Minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy about Tirumala, using them to target YS Jagan Mohan Reddy over the sensitive laddu issue. He accused the YCP of consistently downplaying serious incidents during its tenure.
“These are the same people who claimed that Vivekananda Reddy died of a heart attack when he was brutally murdered. They ignored the theft of silver statues from the Durga Temple and remained silent when deities were burnt during their rule. Now, they are saying there is no Tirumala laddu contamination,” Kalyan said.
Continuing his attack, Pawan Kalyan alleged that the YCP has a pattern of creating confusion and escaping accountability. “They have the habit of throwing everything into a blender and running away. But this time, we will not let them escape. Those responsible will be held accountable,” he asserted.
Nidhhi Agerwal Plans Comeback After Big-Budget Setbacks
Nidhhi Agerwal’s recent career trajectory highlights the high stakes of big-budget cinema, especially for actresses. In the film industry, time is precious, and peak years wait for no one. Nidhhi invested over five years in two large-scale pan-India projects, hoping they would elevate her career.
She signed Hari Hara Veera Mallu with Pawan Kalyan and The Raja Saab with Prabhas. Acting alongside two superstars in massive pan-India films seemed like a golden opportunity. A blockbuster from even one of these projects could have significantly boosted her market value across languages.
However, big films carry big risks. Both projects faced long delays, shifting scripts, and multiple changes in release dates. Nidhhi remained committed throughout, which meant passing up several other films that could have kept her more consistently visible.
When the films finally released, the results fell short of expectations. Neither Hari Hara Veera Mallu nor The Raja Saab became the game-changing hits many had anticipated. The years-long investment did not yield the payoff she hoped for, leaving her in a challenging position.
That said, her journey is far from over. She still holds recognition, particularly in Telugu cinema, and maintains a strong social media presence, keeping her connected to fans. Nidhhi now appears to be shifting her strategy—opting for quicker, tighter films with clear storytelling rather than solely relying on massive star-driven projects. Reports indicate she has several new projects in discussion, including films in both Telugu and Hindi.
The film industry often rewards smart choices and calculated risks. For Nidhhi Agerwal, the upcoming projects could be crucial in redefining her trajectory and cementing her place in the industry.
Ram Charan’s Peddi Faces Tight Schedule Ahead of April 30 Release
Ram Charan’s Peddi has officially moved out of the March release schedule, with the makers announcing a new release date of April 30. However, trade circles in Tollywood are skeptical about whether the film will meet this deadline.
The primary concern is pending work. Nearly 45 days of shooting and related activities are still incomplete. Even if the team works continuously, the shoot is expected to finish only by the end of March. Following this, post-production and promotional activities will occupy most of April, leaving a very tight timeline.
Any unexpected delays, which are common in big productions due to logistics or date issues, could push the release further. While the makers are striving to maintain a continuous workflow, the final release will depend on the firm commitment of both Ram Charan and director Buchi Babu Sana. Without that, another postponement cannot be ruled out.
Prabhas’ Vintage Song Choice Adds ₹11 Crore to The Raja Saab Budget
The reasons behind the ballooning budget of The Raja Saab are gradually coming to light. Previously, reports highlighted how the Prabhas-Srinu episode significantly increased costs due to Prabhas’s decisions. Now, another major factor has emerged—song rights.
Using old, iconic songs in new films has become a popular trend in Tollywood. When done well, a vintage track can greatly benefit a film, as seen in Gaddalakonda Ganesh (Velluvocchi Godaramma), K Ramp (Idemitamma, Maya Maya), and even Mana Siva Shankara Vara Prasad Garu (Sundari…) across three languages. However, old songs cannot be used freely; filmmakers must first acquire the rights, which can cost several lakhs per song, and in rare cases, even crores.
For The Raja Saab, the team wanted a strong mass song featuring the hero with three heroines. Prabhas suggested remixing the iconic disco track “Koi Yahan… Aha… Nacho Nacho” from Disco Dancer. Once he insisted, the filmmakers had little choice but to comply. The vintage song rights reportedly cost a staggering ₹11 crore—an amount far higher than even top music directors like Thaman command for their compositions.
While this expense could have funded multiple new songs, Prabhas’s fondness for the classic track left the production with no alternative, further inflating the already hefty budget of The Raja Saab.
Naseeruddin Shah Alleges Disinvite Over Political Views
Senior actor Naseeruddin Shah has claimed he was disinvited from a university event due to his political views, which are critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Shah was initially invited to attend Jashn-e-Urdu, organised by the Urdu Department of Mumbai University on February 1. However, he was later informed that his presence was no longer required, with no official reason provided. Shah believes the decision was a result of his outspoken criticism of Modi.
In a newspaper opinion piece, Shah referred to the Prime Minister as a self-proclaimed Vishwaguru and expressed longstanding dissatisfaction with his leadership. He also criticised the NDA government, saying dissent is increasingly labelled as anti-national.
Shah highlighted issues such as rising hate, arrests of activists, and changes to the education system as causes for concern. Mumbai University has not yet responded to his claims.
