9 PM | ETV Telugu News | 10th December “2025
Salman Khan Moves Delhi High Court to Protect Personality Rights
Bollywood actor Salman Khan has approached the Delhi High Court seeking protection of his personality rights. The plea, scheduled to be heard on Thursday by Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora, requests the court to restrain social media platforms and e-commerce websites from using his name, images, persona, or likeness without authorization.
Personality rights, also known as the right to publicity, allow individuals to protect, control, and profit from their image, name, or likeness. Recently, several other prominent figures—including actors Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Hrithik Roshan, Ajay Devgn, filmmaker Karan Johar, singer Kumar Sanu, Telugu actor Akkineni Nagarjuna, ‘Art of Living’ founder Ravi Shankar, journalist Sudhir Chaudhary, and podcaster Raj Shamani—have approached the Delhi High Court seeking similar protection, with the court granting interim relief in many cases.
Telugu actor NTR Rao Junior has also filed a plea for protection of his personality rights, though the court has yet to pass an order on his case.
Google AI Plus Launched in India: Affordable Access to Premium AI Tools
Google has launched its AI Plus plan in India, introducing powerful AI tools like Nano Banana Pro access and the Gemini 3 Pro model at an affordable price. This new plan marks Google’s most budget-friendly AI subscription in India, enabling users to experience premium AI features without the high cost. Previously, Google offered only two plans: Google AI Pro and Google AI Ultra. With AI Plus, the company now adds an entry-level tier for cost-conscious users.
The Google AI Plus subscription is priced at Rs 199 per month for the first six months, after which it will cost Rs 399 per month. The plan includes access to Gemini Pro, Deep Research tools, image generation through Nano Banana Pro, and limited access to Veo 3.1 Fast. Subscribers also receive 200 monthly AI credits for the Whisk and Flow apps, along with 200GB of combined storage for Google Photos, Drive, and Gmail. Additionally, AI Plus users can access NotebookLM features, including audio overviews, notebooks, and more.
For comparison, the higher-tier plans—Google AI Pro and Google AI Ultra—cost Rs 1,950 and Rs 24,500 per month, respectively. These plans provide 1,000 AI credits and 25,000 AI credits for video generation, respectively. Google also continues to offer a free tier, which includes limited features such as 15GB of cloud storage and restricted access to Gemini 2.5 Flash and Gemini 3 Pro models.
With AI Plus, Google aims to make advanced AI tools accessible to a wider audience in India, bridging the gap between free offerings and premium subscriptions.
Coupang CEO Resigns After Data Breach Exposes 33 Million Users
South Korea’s largest online retailer, Coupang, has announced the resignation of CEO Park Dae-jun following a massive data breach that exposed information of over 33 million users and sparked widespread public outrage. The company issued a formal apology, expressing regret for causing concern and promising to rebuild customer trust by strengthening its security systems. Coupang also confirmed that it is fully cooperating with authorities while conducting an internal review to identify gaps in its data protection measures.
Harold Rogers, chief administrative officer of Coupang’s U.S.-based parent company, has been appointed as interim CEO.
The breach, believed to have begun in June, compromised customer data such as names, phone numbers, email addresses, shipping details, and parts of their order history. Coupang clarified that sensitive financial information and login passwords were not affected, reducing the risk of direct financial loss.
Park stepped down soon after South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok issued a stern statement, warning that the government would pursue a full investigation and impose strict penalties if any legal violations were found. Earlier this week, police raided Coupang’s Seoul office as part of the ongoing probe, highlighting the seriousness of the incident and the intense scrutiny now facing the e-commerce giant.
Easy-Visa Destinations Attract Last-Minute Indian Travellers
With the holiday season nearing, Indian travellers are increasingly choosing destinations with simple and fast visa procedures, making spontaneous and last-minute trips easier than ever. Countries offering e-visas, visa-on-arrival, or digital travel authorisations have become especially popular, as they remove uncertainty and help people finalise international plans with minimal preparation.
For quick breaks and unplanned escapes, fast visa approvals play a major role. When combined with short flights from India and good connectivity, these destinations naturally become top choices for travellers looking for convenience and flexibility.
Indonesia, particularly Bali, continues to attract Indian tourists with its 2–3 hour e-visa process and its mix of beaches, café culture, nightlife, and wellness retreats. Thailand remains a favourite thanks to its quick Digital Arrival Card, usually processed within 1–2 hours, offering beaches, shopping, nightlife, and vibrant food experiences perfect for short getaways. Sri Lanka adds to the list with its easy ETA or visa-on-arrival options, making it ideal for beach holidays, tea-country drives, heritage sightseeing, and relaxed vacations.
The UAE, especially Dubai, stays in high demand with a 2–3 day e-visa and excellent flight connections from major Indian cities. Jordan appeals to those interested in history and culture, offering a simple 2–3 day e-visa process and landmarks like Petra, the Dead Sea, and desert landscapes. Malaysia, with its quick Digital Arrival Card processed in a few hours, offers a mix of city adventures, beaches, rainforests, and diverse culinary experiences across Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, Penang, and Borneo.
Morocco continues to draw travellers seeking rich cultural experiences, though its e-visa takes 5–6 days, offering desert activities, colourful souks, and historic medinas. Kenya is a strong choice for wildlife and safari lovers with a 2–3 day e-visa process, while Ethiopia appeals to heritage and culture seekers with an e-visa or visa-on-arrival option in many cases. Vietnam’s 4–5 day e-visa allows access to beaches, bustling cities, café culture, and famous destinations like Hanoi, Da Nang, Ha Long Bay, and Ho Chi Minh City.
Travel platform Atlys notes that the shift toward such destinations is growing steadily. According to Santosh Hegde, Head of Marketing at Atlys, Indian travellers today prioritise clarity, speed, and certainty in visa processes, especially when planning last-minute holidays.
H-1B Visa Appointments Postponed Amid New US Screening Rule
A new U.S. government rule requiring social-media screening for all H-1B visa applicants and their dependents (H-4 visas) has led to widespread disruption of visa appointments globally. Consular posts around the world—including several in India—have begun cancelling or postponing interviews originally scheduled for mid- to late-December 2025.
According to multiple reports from immigration attorneys and applicants, many of the cancelled interviews are being pushed as far out as March 2026. The policy, which takes effect on December 15, 2025, mandates that the online presence of H-1B and H-4 candidates—including publicly accessible social-media accounts—be included as part of the vetting process.
Applicants are now being asked to keep their social-media privacy settings “public” so consular officers can review their posts, interactions, and connections. As a result, consulates have significantly reduced the number of daily visa interviews to allot additional time for these expanded checks. This reduction has caused widespread postponements, even though biometric appointments remain largely unaffected. In most cases, only the follow-up visa interviews are being rescheduled—often by several months.
Those affected include professionals relocating for new jobs, workers visiting India between projects, families planning to reunite with relatives in the U.S., and travelers on short-term visits. With consulates adjusting to the new workflow, applicants are being advised to closely monitor their official emails for revised appointment dates. Arriving on the originally scheduled date is likely to result in denial of entry at the consulate.
The new screening requirements have sparked considerable concern among workers, families, and employers who rely on timely visa processing, further adding uncertainty to an already complex immigration process.
Kamal Haasan Calls for a New Era of Southern Storytelling
Kamal Haasan addressed the audience at JioHotstar’s South Unbound event in Chennai with a deep sense of purpose, turning his reflections into a powerful commentary on storytelling and the changing face of Indian entertainment. He noted that India’s media landscape is not just growing but transforming, driven more than ever by the audience itself.
He spoke about how stories today have become completely screen-agnostic, travelling with the viewer rather than belonging to any particular platform. According to him, the audience has now become the true platform, and this shift permanently changes the relationship between media and message. Stories, he said, belong to the people, and screens simply follow them.
Kamal described this as a tectonic shift, especially meaningful for the South, praising JioHotstar’s initiative for unlocking opportunities for every Tamil creator, producer, and storyteller to reach audiences across India, on every screen. He celebrated the rise of regional storytelling, noting that “regional is becoming the new national, and ethnic the new international,” and that stories rooted in places like Madurai, Malappuram, and Machilipatnam are now national cultural events.
He cited examples of films that transcended boundaries—Kantara, Drishyam, Baahubali, Pushpa—proving that authenticity, not budget, is what truly travels. Bringing focus to Tamil Nadu, he said the impact of films like Vikram and Amaran demonstrates that sincerity is a timeless currency that cannot be demonetized.
Kamal reminded the audience that Tamil Nadu has always embraced the merging of arts—literature, music, theatre—and that even with modern tools, creators remain rooted in the instinct to tell their stories truthfully. He drew parallels with global successes like Squid Game, which used a regional Korean dialect yet reached billions, emphasizing that Indian languages, with far larger audiences, hold enormous potential.
He stressed that creative ecosystems flourish only when creators, technicians, platforms, and policymakers grow together. He praised the Tamil Nadu government and Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin for championing talent development and long-term creative infrastructure. He highlighted the 12,000-crore commitment through the government–JioHotstar Letter of Intent, with 4,000 crore dedicated to Tamil Nadu over five years.
Kamal appealed for the creation of media studies programs across India and emphasized structured training in writing, cinematography, sound, editing, animation, and VFX. For him, this is not just about generating content but creating sustainable careers for young talent.
Reflecting on the current state of Indian entertainment, he spoke of a young, supportive audience, a rapidly expanding digital universe, the rise of regional influence on national taste, Tamil Nadu’s nurturing of creative pipelines, and a global market eagerly watching India. He said there has never been a better time to be a storyteller and urged everyone to seize this moment.
Kamal called for bold ambition, encouraging the industry to work toward a 100-billion-dollar media and entertainment future and contribute to Tamil Nadu’s vision of becoming a trillion-dollar economy. He concluded by reminding creators that the barriers are gone, the tools are in their hands, and courage is the true differentiator. The world is watching, the platform is ready, and the audience is waiting—for bold, honest, and fearless storytelling from Tamil Nadu, for India, and for the world.
Pawan Fires Back at Jagan’s ‘Petty Incident’ Remark
The severe mismanagement that occurred within the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) during the YS Jagan-led regime is being exposed almost on a weekly basis. Following the shocking Laddu contamination incident, the Parakamani theft case is now at the center of public debate.
Surprisingly, Jagan dismissed the Parakamani issue as a “petty incident,” stating that the accused repaid the missing amount by donating his properties to the temple. He further downplayed the matter, calling it a minor mishap unworthy of major attention.
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has already reacted to this controversial remark, expressing that it was ironic and irresponsible for the YCP chief to speak so casually about an issue involving Tirumala—a place of immense religious significance for millions of Hindus.
Now, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has strongly responded as well. Criticizing Jagan’s casual stance, Pawan stated, “It is not appropriate for Jagan to speak so lightly about such a serious situation. Perhaps he wouldn’t have been this calm or indifferent if something similar had happened in his own religion.”
Pawan Kalyan’s sharp remarks—especially the part implying that Jagan would have reacted differently if the issue concerned his own faith—are now drawing significant attention in political and social circles.
Tamannaah Targets of AI-Generated Bikini Images: Rising Cybercrime Concern
In today’s world of Artificial Intelligence, where software developers constantly compete to create stunningly realistic images, some are misusing this technology simply to grab attention. Often, it’s actresses who become targets of such AI creations, and recently, Tamannaah Bhatia’s name has surfaced in this context. A few images of her, seemingly in a bikini, circulated widely on social media, attracting both awe and criticism. Upon closer inspection, it became clear that the facial features in these images did not exactly match Tamannaah’s—they were AI-generated likenesses designed to look like her. Despite this, the pictures went viral across platforms like Instagram and Twitter.
This isn’t an isolated case. Recently, the popular “National Crush” Rashmika Mandanna faced a similar situation, when malicious individuals created AI-generated images of her and Kriti Sanon in bikinis on the sets of Cocktail 2. Rashmika condemned the images and even filed a complaint with cybercrime authorities. In the past, actresses like Keerthy Suresh have also been victims of such AI-generated content.
These incidents highlight an urgent need for stronger laws and stricter action against the misuse of AI in creating offensive and harmful content. The technology itself is remarkable, but when weaponized, it can cause real harm to individuals’ privacy and reputation.
Telugu Cinema Seniors Gear Up: Chiranjeevi, Balakrishna, Venkatesh & Nagarjuna Projects
The senior heroes of Telugu cinema are currently enjoying a golden phase, with the year coming to a close and each of them juggling multiple projects. If all their films turn out successful, the Telugu film market is set to witness a major boost in revenues.
Megastar Chiranjeevi is busy shooting for Mana Shankar Vara Prasad Garu, which is slated for a grand release during Sankranthi next year. Following that, he has Vishwambhara lined up for a summer release. In addition, Chiranjeevi has signed a film with director Bobby, with reports suggesting that Karthi or Vijay Sethupathi might play a pivotal role. He also has a project with director Srikanth Odela in the pipeline.
Balakrishna Nandamuri is gearing up for the release of Akhanda 2 on December 12. Beyond this, he has projects with directors Gopichand Malineni and Krish Jagarlamudi, the latter tentatively titled Aditya 999.
Victory Venkatesh has commenced shooting for his film with Trivikram Srinivas, titled Adarsha Kutumbam, which is expected to release in the summer. He is also planning Drishyam 3 and is in talks to collaborate with Balakrishna, a confirmation he shared during an event in the USA. Notably, Venkatesh will also have an extended cameo in Mana Shankar Vara Prasad Garu.
Nagarjuna is fully focused on his milestone 100th film and has not signed any other projects yet. He intends to consider new films only after significant progress is made on his current venture.
Pawan Kalyan’s Ustaad Bhagat Singh Release Buzz
Pawan Kalyan has delivered two films this year, and fans are eagerly waiting for his next big-screen spectacle. While OG revived some energy after HHVM’s lukewarm response, the demand for a full-on mass entertainer remains strong.
Many believe Ustaad Bhagat Singh will fill that gap, especially after the recent dance promo that grabbed instant attention. With the full song set to release on the 13th, expectations are soaring.
The real buzz, however, is around a potential release date shuffle. With uncertainty surrounding Peddi and The Paradise, industry chatter suggests Ustaad Bhagat Singh could occupy the open slot on March 26. Nothing has been officially announced, but the film is being kept ready as a backup. If Peddi faces last-minute delays, Ustaad can step in seamlessly, as both films are linked to the same production house.
Meanwhile, director Buchi Babu is fast-tracking Peddi’s shoot. Despite Indigo flight-related schedule changes, the team is working hard to keep the release on track. With these developments, fans may have to wait until late January to know which film will hit theaters first.
As a precaution, promotions for Ustaad Bhagat Singh have already begun. While Peddi remains the official release, the unpredictable industry environment means last-minute changes are possible. For now, all eyes are on how this release strategy unfolds.
