Kurnool: ప్రియుడి భార్యకు HIV ఇంజెక్షన్ ఇచ్చిన మాజీ ప్రియురాలు | Special Report
GVMC Move to Regularise GITAM Land Sparks Political Storm in Visakhapatnam
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led coalition government has landed in the middle of a major controversy following its decision to regularise 54.79 acres of prime land allegedly encroached upon by GITAM University at Rushikonda and Endada villages in Visakhapatnam.
According to reports, the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has placed an agenda item in its January 30, 2026 meeting proposing the “regularisation” of land occupied by the private university. GITAM University is owned by Visakhapatnam MP Mathukumilli Sri Bharat, a senior leader of the TDP.
Retired IAS officer and noted social activist E.A.S. Sarma has strongly objected to the move, writing to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and urging him to immediately halt the proposed regularisation. Sarma alleged that the university had encroached upon valuable government land several years ago, running into thousands of crores of rupees, and that no action was taken due to political patronage.
CPI (M) Visakhapatnam district secretary M. Jaggu Naidu also criticised the decision, alleging that the agenda was introduced solely to benefit the sitting MP, who is also the chairman of the GITAM group. He stated that land in the Rushikonda–Endada belt is currently valued at around ₹22 crore per acre, placing the total market value of the disputed land at nearly ₹5,000 crore.
Jaggu Naidu argued that allocating such high-value public land to a profit-oriented private institution violates Supreme Court judgments in the 2G spectrum and coal block allocation cases and could attract provisions under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. He further cited a 2011 Supreme Court ruling and a 2012 government order (GO No. 571), both of which prohibit the transfer of government land under local bodies to private entities.
Accusing the coalition government of betraying its electoral promise to protect public assets, the CPI (M) leader demanded the immediate withdrawal of the agenda item, repossession of the encroached land, and strict action against the officials and political leaders involved.
Dhurandhar Beats Pushpa 2 to Become Highest-Grossing Hindi Film
Bollywood fans finally have a new reason to celebrate. After nearly a year of dominance, Pushpa 2 has been dethroned as the highest-grossing Hindi film, with “Dhurandhar” officially taking the top spot at the box office.
In just seven weeks, Dhurandhar has amassed ₹829.40 crore in Hindi nett collections, edging past Pushpa 2, which had closed its Hindi run at ₹810.10 crore. What makes this achievement even more remarkable is the stark contrast in the two films’ journeys.
While Pushpa 2 was a highly anticipated sequel riding on the massive success and fanbase of its predecessor, Dhurandhar arrived as a standalone, fresh film, backed mainly by a single impactful trailer and strong word of mouth.
The week-wise box office trend clearly highlights this difference.
Pushpa 2 opened to a thunderous ₹425.10 crore in its first week—more than double Dhurandhar’s ₹207.25 crore opening. However, the momentum didn’t last. By its second week, Pushpa 2 witnessed a sharp 50% drop, collecting only ₹196.50 crore.
In contrast, Dhurandhar showed rare box office stamina. Its second-week collections jumped by 21%, reaching ₹252.25 crore, signalling strong audience reception and repeat viewership. From there on, Dhurandhar consistently outperformed Pushpa 2 week after week.
Dhurandhar vs Pushpa 2
Hindi Nett Box Office – Week-wise Comparison
Week 1: ₹207.25 Cr / ₹425.10 Cr
Week 2: ₹252.25 Cr / ₹196.50 Cr
Week 3: ₹172.00 Cr / ₹103.05 Cr
Week 4: ₹106.50 Cr / ₹53.75 Cr
Week 5: ₹51.25 Cr / ₹19.45 Cr
Week 6: ₹26.35 Cr / ₹8.00 Cr
Week 7: ₹13.75 Cr / ₹4.25 Cr
Total (7 Weeks): ₹829.40 Cr / ₹810.10 Cr
It may have taken almost a year for Bollywood to finally surpass Pushpa 2’s Hindi box office record, but Dhurandhar has proven that strong content and sustained audience support can outperform even the biggest franchise-driven openings.
With several big-ticket films lined up in the coming months, all eyes are now on which movie will be bold enough—and strong enough—to challenge Dhurandhar’s newly minted record.
Kayadu Lohar Turns Heads Ahead of Telugu Debut
Kayadu Lohar, who won audience appreciation last year with her role as Pallavi Parasuram in Pradeep Ranganathan’s Dragon, is gearing up for her Telugu debut with the comedy entertainer Funky, opposite Vishwak Sen. She will also be seen in a key role in Nani’s much-anticipated film The Paradise.
Recently, Kayadu set social media abuzz by sharing new pictures in a rich orange saree that beautifully blends traditional elegance with a contemporary touch. The textured fabric with subtle floral accents adds depth to the look, while the deep blue blouse offers a striking contrast. Her poised expressions, loose wavy hair, and minimal makeup further accentuate her natural charm.
Beyond Telugu cinema, Kayadu has an impressive lineup across Malayalam and Tamil industries, with nearly six films in hand. With back-to-back projects and growing visibility, she is fast emerging as a promising talent across South Indian cinema.
Child’s 911 Call Saves Lives After Georgia Family Shooting
A timely and courageous 911 call by a child helped save three young lives after a tragic family dispute turned deadly in the US state of Georgia. The incident occurred in the early hours of Friday in Lawrenceville, a suburb of Atlanta, leaving four adults dead and shocking the Indian community across the United States.
According to Gwinnett County Police, an Indian woman and three of her Indian-origin relatives were shot dead inside their residence, allegedly by her husband, Vijay Kumar. The shooting took place while three children were present in the house.
As gunfire erupted, the children reportedly ran and hid inside a closet to protect themselves. Demonstrating remarkable presence of mind, one of the children—who is also the accused’s own child—managed to dial 911 and provide crucial information to emergency responders.
Police said officers reached the scene within minutes based on the details shared during the call. When they arrived at around 2:30 am local time, they found four adults with fatal gunshot wounds inside the home.
The victims were identified as Meenu Dogra (43), the wife of the accused, Gourav Kumar (33), Nidhi Chander (37), and Harish Chander (38). Authorities confirmed that the three children were not injured and were later placed in the care of another family member.
The accused, Vijay Kumar (51), has been arrested and charged with four counts of aggravated assault, four counts of felony murder, and four counts of malice murder. He also faces multiple charges related to cruelty to children, including one count in the first degree and two counts in the third degree.
The Consulate General of India in Atlanta expressed deep sorrow over the incident and confirmed the arrest of the suspect. In an official statement, the Consulate said it is extending all possible assistance to the bereaved family.
While the incident has sent shockwaves through the Indian diaspora in the US, the quick thinking and bravery of the child who made the emergency call is being widely credited with saving three innocent lives.
Aadi Shambhala Storms AHA OTT; Sequel Officially Announced
The Telugu thriller Aadi Shambhala continues its extraordinary success journey, extending its blockbuster run from theatres to the digital space. After emerging as a Divine Blockbuster at the box office and delivering a career-best hit for Aadi Saikumar, the film premiered on AHA OTT two days ago to a phenomenal response.
With exceptional viewership and strong audience engagement, Aadi Shambhala is currently trending on the platform, reaffirming its widespread appeal. Buoyed by the massive theatrical success and the overwhelming OTT reception, the makers have officially confirmed that Shambhala 2 is in development.
The sequel is planned on a much grander scale, with an expanded storyline that delves deeper into the world and mythology established in the first part. Detailed announcements regarding the cast, crew, and production timeline are expected soon, generating significant buzz among audiences and trade circles.
Audiences and critics alike have praised the film for its gripping narrative, intense performances, and immersive cinematic experience. Director Ugandhar Muni has earned widespread acclaim for his compelling storytelling and his seamless fusion of horror and devotional elements, which resonated strongly with viewers.
Another major highlight is Sricharan Pakala’s powerful background score. His music has been unanimously lauded for elevating both the horror sequences and the devotional moments, adding depth, tension, and emotional intensity to the film.
Aadi Shambhala is produced by Mahidhar Reddy and Rajasekhar Annabhimoju under the banner of Shining Pictures.
Regional Accents Redefine Telugu Cinema
For decades, Telugu cinema witnessed remarkable actors mastering accents beyond their native regions. Kota Srinivasa Rao, a native of coastal Andhra, became iconic for his flawless Telangana dialect after years of living in Hyderabad and closely observing the local speech. Similarly, Jayaprakash Reddy, hailing from Guntur, carved a unique identity by excelling in the Rayalaseema accent—an achievement he often credited to keen observation rather than formal training.
However, such linguistic experiments were largely confined to character actors and villains during that era.
Post-bifurcation, Telugu cinema has undergone a significant cultural shift. The division into Telangana and Andhra Pradesh has led to wider acceptance and celebration of diverse Telugu accents and regional slangs. Today, even lead actors confidently embrace dialects rooted in specific regions, adding authenticity and freshness to storytelling.
In this evolving landscape, filmmakers and actors like Tarun Bhasker and Eesha Rebba—both from Telangana—have introduced a new trailer titled “Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi.” While Eesha Rebba’s character identity remains understated due to minimal dialogue in the trailer, Tarun Bhasker has taken audiences by surprise with his strikingly accurate Godavari–Vizag belt accent.
The precision of his dialect has sparked curiosity about the effort behind mastering it. Interestingly, Tarun Bhasker’s exposure to this accent began during his work on a song for “Mangalavaram,” directed by Ajay Bhupathi. His performance once again highlights how modern Telugu cinema continues to expand its linguistic and cultural boundaries with confidence and respect.
Shah Rukh Khan’s King Faces Tough Christmas Clash
One of India’s biggest superstars, Shah Rukh Khan, is set to return to the big screen with King, an ambitious action spectacle directed by Siddharth Anand, who previously delivered the blockbuster Pathaan. The film is among the most highly anticipated Hindi releases and is widely expected to target the coveted ₹1000-crore global box office milestone.
The makers have officially announced December 24 as the theatrical release date, clearly aiming to capitalise on the lucrative Christmas holiday window. While the timing offers strong festive footfall, it also brings significant challenges—particularly from Hollywood.
Two major global tentpoles, Avengers: Doomsday and Dune: Part Three, are scheduled to hit theatres worldwide on December 18. Given the massive scale and fan following of both franchises, they are expected to dominate IMAX and premium large-format screens across international markets, especially in North America and Europe.
This poses a potential disadvantage for King, which may struggle to secure sufficient premium screens overseas—an increasingly crucial factor for Bollywood films aspiring to achieve record-breaking global numbers. Even within India, both Avengers and Dune enjoy strong audience loyalty, and their presence could impact screen allocation and box office momentum for Shah Rukh Khan’s film.
While some may view the clash as a bold and confident move by the makers of King, the risk remains substantial. If the Hollywood releases maintain strong hold over premium formats during the Christmas week, King could face stiff competition at a time when maximum visibility is essential. The final outcome will depend on audience reception, word of mouth, and how effectively the film carves out its space amid one of the most competitive holiday release windows in recent years.
