9 PM | ETV Telugu News | 14th December “2025
Sahana Sahana Promo Impresses Fans
The promo of “Sahana Sahana…”, the second single from Rebel Star Prabhas’ upcoming film Raja Saab, is out and receiving an enthusiastic response from fans and music lovers alike.
Directed by Maruthi and produced by People Media Factory, the film is gearing up for a festive theatrical release.
Composed by Thaman, “Sahana Sahana…” is a soothing melody that instantly stands out for its pleasant vibe, beautiful composition, and visually rich presentation. Prabhas appears in colourful traditional attire, bringing a refreshing charm to the screen. Shot on Prabhas and Nidhi Agarwal, the promo highlights picturesque locations and elegant visual styling, further elevating the song’s appeal.
The makers have confirmed that the full lyrical video will be released on December 17 at 6:35 PM.
Raja Saab is crafted as a horror-comedy entertainer, a genre that director Maruthi is well known for. With a worldwide release set for January 9, the film aims to add to the Sankranti festival excitement.
Backed by producers TG Vishwa Prasad and Krithi Prasad, the project boasts strong production values and features Malavika Mohanan and Riddhi Kumar in important roles.
With the song promo striking the right chord, the buzz surrounding Raja Saab continues to grow steadily as fans eagerly await more updates.
Anil Ravipudi’s Chiranjeevi Collaboration for Sankranthi 2026
Anil Ravipudi, who began his career as a script and dialogue writer, made his directorial debut with Pataas. With his very first film turning into a blockbuster, Anil quickly established himself as a successful director, delivering one hit after another. Last year, his Vastunnam became a Sankranthi blockbuster, earning him a reputation as a hitmaker in Tollywood.
Despite his consistent successes, a section of the audience often criticizes his comedy sequences, labeling them as cringe-worthy on social media. However, Anil has never let such negativity affect him. Recently, he clarified his approach, saying that he believes only in the content itself. Social media trolls are natural, he explained, but he does not pay attention to them. Anil emphasized that he never compromises on quality and is willing to spend as needed to ensure the right execution. His primary concern is whether the producer who trusted him and invested in the project is satisfied after the film’s release.
Currently, Anil Ravipudi is collaborating with Tollywood megastar Chiranjeevi on Mana Shankara Varaprasad Garu. This film is generating massive expectations as it marks the first Chiranjeevi-Anil combination and follows Anil’s Vastunnam released last Sankranthi. Set to hit theaters on January 12, the film is highly anticipated as a Sankranthi treat for audiences.
Bhagya Shri Borse’s Tollywood Rising Star
Bhagya Shri Borse made her Tollywood debut with Mr. Bachchan, and regardless of the film’s success, opportunities have continued to come her way. After Mr. Bachchan, Kingdom failed to make a mark, but recently, she returned with two films released within a short span of two weeks—Kanta and Andhra King-related projects. Regardless of their commercial performance, Bhagya Shri impressed audiences with her glamour and acting skills in both films.
Her talent has started gaining recognition, and more opportunities are coming her way. She is already involved in two more films, and most recently, she has been cast as the heroine in a female-centric film under the Swapna Cinemas banner, directed by a debutant filmmaker. This is undoubtedly a lucky break for her, as both Vijayanti Banner and Swapna Cinemas are known for top-class productions. A female-oriented film, especially at an early stage in her career, is an even bigger opportunity. The director, Ramesh, plans to present a completely different and unique story in this project. After impressing audiences with her work in the Andhra King-related project, Bhagya Shri aims to showcase her talent once again.
Bhagya Shri has always been waiting for a role that allows her to demonstrate her full potential, and Swapna Cinemas appears to offer exactly that. The film’s title has been finalized as Chukkalu Temmanaa Tenchuku Ranaa, though the lead actor paired opposite her is yet to be confirmed.
Opportunities for Bhagya Shri continue to come irrespective of box-office results, but if she also rides a success streak, there will be no looking back. If she gains star recognition in Telugu cinema, it could extend beyond the region, potentially giving her Pan-India fame. With her acting performance in Kanta and the Andhra King-related film impressing makers, strong roles are likely to keep coming her way in Tollywood.
Bondi Beach Mass Shooting Shocks Australia
Just hours after a tragic shooting at Brown University in Rhode Island, another horrifying mass shooting has struck — this time at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. On December 14, 2025, during a Hanukkah celebration called Chanukah by the Sea, gunmen opened fire on the crowd, leaving at least 12 people dead and 29 injured.
The attack, which occurred at a popular Jewish community event, unfolded in the late afternoon as people gathered to celebrate the festival of lights. Witnesses described panic, screams and people fleeing for safety after multiple shots were fired.
New South Wales Police responded quickly, and authorities have taken two suspects into custody, while one of the gunmen was killed during the incident. The area was secured after the active threat was neutralised and the public was urged to avoid the scene as investigations continue.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the violence, describing the scenes as “shocking and distressing” and affirming that emergency responders were working to assist the injured and secure the area.
International leaders also reacted, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemning the attack, offering condolences to the families of the victims, and expressing solidarity with the people of Australia during this painful time.
Authorities are treating the Bondi Beach shooting as a terrorist incident with possible antisemitic motivations, given the timing and location at a Jewish festival. This marks one of the deadliest mass shootings in Australia in nearly three decades, highlighting the devastating impact of targeted violence and prompting calls for unity and stronger protections for all communities.
Why Jagan Keeps YSR’s Close Associates at a Distance
There are many senior leaders who genuinely wish to see Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy succeed in politics. Even though not all of Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy’s close associates are part of YSRCP today, several of them still hold deep affection for their late friend’s son and hope he emerges stronger in the political arena.
Yet, for reasons known only to him, Jagan has been reluctant to bring many of YSR’s trusted aides and long-time associates into the party structure. Except for a select few, most of YSR’s loyal companions have been kept at a noticeable distance. To many, it appears as though Jagan does not want their influence—direct or indirect—around him.
Even Sureedu, who was inseparable from YSR during his political journey, was sidelined early in Jagan’s leadership. Why these decisions were made remains unclear, and ultimately, it is up to the son to decide whether he wants to carry forward all of his father’s associates—there is no rule binding him to do so.
Recently, former MP and senior political analyst Undavalli Arun Kumar met with YSRCP leader and former minister Ambati Rambabu, a moment that Rambabu himself shared on his channel. This meeting has revived discussions within YSRCP circles about the value of having someone like Undavalli in the party—a sharp thinker and an honest voice whose analyses often support YSRCP’s political narrative.
Undavalli has always expressed respect and affection for YSR, often recalling that it was KVP Ramachandra Rao—one of YSR’s closest confidants—who introduced him to the late leader. Despite this, leaders who believe Undavalli’s presence would strengthen the party hesitate to suggest it openly to Jagan.
It’s not just Undavalli; many feel YSRCP would benefit from bringing in more of YSR’s respected associates and intellectual allies. Leaders like Ambati Rambabu seem to share this sentiment, but these quiet attempts appear to have made little progress. As a result, relationships with YSR’s old friends remain limited to personal interactions rather than official party roles.
While there is a clear desire within the party to welcome more intellectuals and honest voices, invisible barriers continue to prevent these ideas from moving forward—leaving several senior leaders privately disappointed.
Sr. NTR Cameo Rumour Disappoints Akhanda 2 Fans
Balakrishna’s much-awaited Akhanda 2 has finally hit theatres, but the reception has been mixed, leaning more toward the negative side. Before the release, a strong rumour went viral claiming that legendary actor Sr. NTR would make a special appearance as Lord Shiva. This speculation created tremendous excitement among Nandamuri fans.
However, audiences were left disappointed when no such cameo appeared in the film. Instead, the Shiva sequence featured a Hindi television actor known for playing the deity on TV, which came as an unexpected choice.
When questioned about how this rumour began and why the makers opted for this casting, industry insiders revealed that the core decision-making team believed Sr. NTR’s image would resonate primarily with Telugu audiences, not with viewers across the country. Since Akhanda 2 was envisioned as a pan-India project, they reportedly felt an actor familiar to North Indian viewers would be more suitable.
Many fans disagree with this reasoning, calling it narrow-minded. They argue that Sr. NTR’s legacy is national, timeless, and deeply rooted in Indian cinema’s mythological portrayal. According to them, his presence—even in a brief cameo—would have created massive hype in the Telugu states and beyond. For divine roles, fans strongly feel that NTR’s impact remains unparalleled.
“Just imagining Sr. NTR appearing as Lord Shiva gives goosebumps. I don’t know why the makers missed such a golden opportunity,” a netizen commented, echoing the sentiment many fans share today.
The Raja Saab Sankranthi Buzz
The Raja Saab is gearing up for a grand Sankranthi 2026 release on January 9. For a pan-India star like Prabhas, a film of this scale could release in any season and still pull massive crowds. But arriving during Sankranthi—alongside six other releases including two dubbed Tamil biggies—puts added pressure on The Raja Saab. This Sankranthi lineup includes Chiranjeevi’s Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu, Ravi Teja’s Bhartha Mahasayulaku Wignyapthi, Naveen Polishetty’s Anaganaga Oka Raju, Sharwanand’s Nari Nari Naduma Murari, Vijay’s Jana Nayakudu and Siva Karthikeyan’s Parasakti. Most of these films fall under the family entertainer category with strong comedy—a genre that performs exceptionally well during the festive season. The Raja Saab too belongs to this zone, with the added advantage of being a horror comedy, a genre that usually clicks well with festival audiences. Also, Prabhas returning to a full-fledged entertainer after nearly a decade has raised expectations further.
However, considering the massive budget and pan-India scale, The Raja Saab needs to deliver impact equivalent to all the other Sankranthi releases combined. Many of the competing films already have viral songs and solid promotional momentum. In comparison, The Raja Saab has so far released a teaser, a trailer, and one song. While these created decent impact, they did not generate a strong, lasting nationwide buzz. The content is being accepted, but it hasn’t achieved the viral traction expected for a Prabhas starrer. The team still needs to release content that truly grabs attention across the country.
The team is currently preparing to release the second single, a melody, which generally carries higher viral potential on social media. It remains to be seen whether this song can create the required impact. To stand firm against heavy competition, the makers must intensify nationwide promotions, increase interviews and media interactions, and adopt more engaging promotional strategies. Being one of the earliest Sankranthi releases, The Raja Saab should also capitalize on the advantage of bigger openings.
The Raja Saab features Prabhas, Sanjay Dutt, Boman Irani, Malavika Mohanan, Nidhhi Agerwal, and Riddhi Kumar in key roles. Directed by Maruthi and produced by TG Vishwa Prasad and Krithi Prasad, the film has music composed by Thaman S. With a packed Sankranthi season ahead, the next phase of promotions will play a crucial role in determining whether The Raja Saab becomes the festive box-office winner.
India Ranks Third Globally in AI Competitiveness
India has emerged as the world’s third most competitive country in artificial intelligence, according to Stanford University’s Global AI Vibrancy Tool. The latest ranking highlights India’s rapidly growing tech ecosystem and a strong talent base, positioning the country as a key player in the global AI race.
The Visual Capitalist chart, based on Stanford’s data, shows the United States leading the world with a vibrancy score of 78.6, followed by China at 36.95, and India at 21.59. India surpasses several advanced economies, including South Korea, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Japan, Canada, Germany, and France.
Stanford’s AI Vibrancy Tool combines multiple indicators into a single score to measure a country’s AI development and competitiveness. These indicators include research and development, talent availability, investment and economic impact, infrastructure, public opinion, and policy and governance. The tool aims to highlight where innovation and AI talent are growing and how seriously governments are supporting artificial intelligence.
The report notes that income levels play a significant role in AI competitiveness, with high-income countries dominating the top rankings. Upper-middle-income countries like China and Brazil are steadily closing the gap.
The United States leads in categories such as research and development, responsible AI, economy, policy and governance, and infrastructure. China performs strongly in talent, economy, and infrastructure, while India ranks among the top three in talent, reflecting its large and skilled workforce in technology and engineering.
While the link between national income and AI competitiveness is expected, the report also warns that the growing gap between countries could deepen global inequality if access to AI growth remains uneven.
For India, this ranking is a major boost, reflecting rising AI investments, increasing research output, a strong startup ecosystem, and a massive pool of engineers and developers ready to contribute to the global AI landscape.
States File Lawsuit to Block $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee
California, along with nineteen other U.S. states, has filed a federal lawsuit in Boston to challenge the Trump administration’s new rule imposing a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas for highly skilled foreign workers. This marks the third legal challenge to the fee since it was announced in September.
The plaintiffs argue that the sharp increase from the current $2,000–$5,000 fee violates federal law and could have severe consequences across multiple sectors. The states contend that the fee will place significant financial pressure on employers and institutions that rely on H-1B visa holders, particularly in technology, healthcare, and education.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta emphasized that the Trump administration does not have the authority to impose the fee. According to Bonta, the law only permits fees to cover the cost of administering visa programs. He added that the $100,000 fee could create unnecessary financial burdens, worsen labor shortages, and threaten service cuts in essential sectors.
The Trump administration’s order prevents new H-1B visa recipients from entering the U.S. unless their sponsoring employers pay the $100,000 fee. Officials clarified that the policy does not affect current H-1B visa holders or those who applied before September 21. The White House claims the fee is a lawful use of presidential powers designed to prevent abuse of the H-1B program.
Critics argue that the H-1B system sometimes allows American workers to be replaced by lower-paid foreign labor, while business groups maintain that the program is essential to address skill shortages in the country. A coalition including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, unions, and employers has also filed lawsuits against the fee.
Court hearings are expected next week in Washington, D.C. The outcome of this legal challenge could have major implications for U.S. employers dependent on skilled foreign workers and for the future of the H-1B visa system.
Arjun Rampal and Gabriella Demetriades Get Engaged
Actor Arjun Rampal has been in a long-term live-in relationship with model Gabriella Demetriades, with whom he shares two sons, Arik and Ariv. Though the couple never married, they have now taken a significant step forward in their relationship.
Arjun confirmed that he and Gabriella are engaged during his appearance on Rhea Chakraborty’s new podcast, Chapter 2. Sharing a teaser from the episode, Rhea posted a clip in which Gabriella teased, “We’re not married now, but who knows?” Responding casually, Arjun revealed, “We are engaged! We just broke it on your show.”
The couple has been together since 2019 and opened up on the podcast about love, parenting, and the evolution of their relationship. Gabriella reflected on unconditional love, noting that while adult relationships often come with expectations, parenting teaches a completely different kind of love without conditions.
They also shared a light-hearted moment about how their relationship began. Gabriella joked that she didn’t approach Arjun because he was “really hot,” to which Rampal candidly admitted that he was initially drawn to her looks but soon realized there was much more to her than appearances.
Arjun Rampal, who separated from his previous partner in 2018, later made his relationship with Gabriella public, and the couple welcomed their two sons. Meanwhile, Arjun is riding high on the success of his latest release, Dhurandhar, which is enjoying a phenomenal run at the box office.
Pawan Kalyan’s Silence on Akhanda 2 Sparks Speculation
Akhanda 2 has hit the screens with a strong promotional campaign driven by personalities associated with Sanatana Dharma, including LV Gangadhara Sastry and Radhamanohar Das. The film has been positioned as a spiritual and ideological extension of its predecessor, targeting audiences aligned with Sanatana values.
This has naturally raised questions about the noticeable silence of Pawan Kalyan, who frequently identifies himself as a Sanatana Dharma parirakshak. Given his public persona and ideological leanings, many expected him to at least acknowledge or support Akhanda 2.
Adding to the intrigue, director Boyapati Srinu had previously revealed that Balakrishna avoided releasing the film alongside Pawan Kalyan’s OG, even though Akhanda 2 was ready by then, ensuring a smooth release for OG. Now, with Pawan Kalyan being part of the alliance government, his continued silence has drawn even more attention.
This scenario has led Balakrishna’s fans to openly question why Pawan Kalyan has neither spoken about nor promoted Akhanda 2. Many are speculating whether there is a deliberate calculation behind his lack of response.
The silence has sparked debates among audiences and fans, raising curiosity about the political and ideological dynamics influencing Tollywood promotions.
