Minister Nara Lokesh Reveals Shocking Facts About Sakshi And YCP | Heritage Issue
Allu Arjun One Award Short of Chiranjeevi’s Filmfare Record
Ever since Icon Star Allu Arjun bagged the Filmfare trophy for his performance in Pushpa 2, fans have been celebrating the milestone in a big way. Social media is flooded with posts claiming that Allu Arjun has equalled the long-standing Filmfare “Best Actor” record set by Megastar Chiranjeevi.
However, a closer look at the numbers tells a slightly different story.
Chiranjeevi holds a record seven Filmfare Awards for Best Actor, achieved through his performances in Subhalekha, Vijetha, Aapadbandhavudu, Muta Mestri, Sneham Kosam, Indra, and Shankar Dada MBBS. His consistency across decades established him as one of Telugu cinema’s most decorated performers.
On the other hand, Allu Arjun has won the Filmfare Best Actor trophy six times for Parugu, Vedam, Race Gurram, Rudramadevi, Sarrainodu, and Pushpa: The Rise. With his latest win, the buzz grew stronger that he has matched the Mega Star’s record — but technically, he is still one award short of equalling Chiranjeevi’s seven-time feat.
That said, Allu Arjun stands tall in his own right. Among contemporary Telugu stars, he is currently the only one to have won a National Award for Best Actor, further cementing his place in Indian cinema.
With the momentum he has built, it may only be a matter of time before he equals — or even surpasses — the legendary benchmark set by Chiranjeevi, carrying forward the mega legacy in his own iconic style.
Harish Shankar Clarifies No Political Dialogues in Ustaad Bhagat Singh
“Aura of Ustaad,” the second single from Ustaad Bhagat Singh, starring Pawan Kalyan, was released recently. Director Harish Shankar used the song as a tribute to Pawan Kalyan’s signature style and mannerisms, which thrilled fans.
The lyrical video also featured glimpses from Pawan Kalyan’s political journey, sparking speculation about whether the film would include political undertones or dialogues targeting the YSR Congress Party.
Addressing these discussions, Harish Shankar released a clarification video. He stated that Pawan Kalyan had clearly instructed him to keep politics and cinema separate. “That’s why his films feature actors like Prakash Raj despite ideological differences. There will be no dialogues or references targeting anyone in this film. Pawan Kalyan has fans across political parties. However, there will be powerful lines like ‘Gaaju Glass’ to elevate the hero,” Harish Shankar explained.
His clarification has brought relief to many who were concerned about overt political messaging in the film. In recent years, there has been growing debate about mixing political references with commercial cinema. Some filmmakers have chosen to avoid such elements entirely, focusing instead on storytelling and mass appeal. For instance, director Sujeeth ensured that OG stayed away from direct political references, which was widely appreciated by fans.
Ustaad Bhagat Singh has been under production for a long time and faced multiple delays due to various factors. In the meantime, Harish Shankar released Mr Bachchan, which did not perform well at the box office. With that setback behind him, the director is now hoping for a strong comeback with this much-awaited project.
As expectations remain high, fans are eager to see whether Ustaad Bhagat Singh delivers purely as a mass entertainer, keeping politics aside as promised.
Meena Reacts to Remarriage Rumours Ahead of Drishyam 3
Seasoned actress Meena, who has shared screen space with top Telugu stars like Chiranjeevi, Venkatesh, Balakrishna, and Nagarjuna, has carved a special place for herself in Tollywood with her long and successful career. At the peak of her stardom, she married businessman Vidyasagar and later stepped back to focus on her personal life. The couple has a daughter, Nainika, who made her acting debut in the Tamil blockbuster Theri.
Four years ago, Meena’s family faced a heartbreaking loss when her husband passed away following an illness. Soon after, rumours circulated about the actress planning a second marriage. At the time, Meena expressed her anguish over such reports. Even four years later, she continues to live as a single mother, though speculation about her remarriage keeps resurfacing.
Recently, Meena reacted strongly to these repeated rumours, questioning why people continue to spread baseless stories about her personal life simply because she is a public figure. She said such reports deeply hurt her and emphasized that she feels unfairly treated.
Meena also highlighted that many forget she has a young daughter. She pointed out that her daughter comes across such news online, and the false reports have an emotional impact on both the child and the family. The actress added that while some may seek attention through false publicity, such actions will eventually have consequences.
On the professional front, Meena is gearing up for a big-screen return with the highly anticipated sequel Drishyam 3, scheduled for a theatrical release on April 2.
Samantha Opens Up About Her Bond with Raj Nidimoru Ahead of Ma Inti Bangaram
Samantha, one of the leading heroines in the movie industry, is currently busy with the shoot of Ma Inti Bangaram. In a recent interview, she opened up about her personal life, revealing that she had never considered relying on someone else until she met Raj Nidimoru.
Samantha shared that after her divorce, she never imagined forming a close bond with anyone. However, she is now grateful for Raj’s presence in her life.
“When I went through a separation, I closed up completely. I didn’t think it would ever be possible to rely on someone else. Thankfully, I was vulnerable enough to accept that kind of love and friendship. And I’m a much better person because of the relationship I’m in—because of the person Raj is,” she said.
She added that the transformation in her personality is evident to everyone, and even an old friend of hers noticed the change. During the initial days after her separation, Samantha went through a low phase, but her friendship with Raj helped her shift her perspective and approach to life.
Samantha and Raj are believed to have met in 2021 on the sets of The Family Man 2. Since then, their bond has grown stronger over the years. Currently, Raj is backing Ma Inti Bangaram, with Samantha in the lead role, and the film is directed by Nandini Reddy.
China Criticizes U.S. Tariff Ruling as Trade Tensions Rise Ahead of Trump Visit
China has begun a “full assessment” of the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down several of former President Donald Trump’s tariffs, urging Washington to roll back what it called “unilateral tariff measures” imposed on trading partners. Beijing warned that prolonged trade friction between the world’s two largest economies could be damaging for both sides.
The comments from China’s Commerce Ministry came days after the Supreme Court invalidated a number of tariffs forming part of Trump’s global trade strategy, including duties targeting China and other major Asian exporters like South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan, according to Reuters. The ruling represents a significant legal setback for the administration’s tariff framework.
However, within hours of the decision, Trump announced plans to impose a new 10% tariff on imports from all countries, with the rate potentially rising to 15%. The proposed levies are reportedly grounded in Section 122 of U.S. trade law, a rarely used provision allowing tariffs of up to 15% for 150 days without congressional approval. Any extension beyond that period would require lawmakers’ consent. No previous U.S. president has invoked Section 122, and trade experts suggest its use could trigger fresh legal challenges.
In its statement, China’s Commerce Ministry said U.S. unilateral tariffs violate international trade rules and domestic U.S. law and do not serve the interests of any party. “Cooperation between China and the United States is beneficial to both sides, but fighting is harmful,” the ministry said, adding that Beijing would closely monitor developments and firmly safeguard its national interests.
Chinese state media amplified the criticism. Gao Lingyun, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times that recent U.S. tariff decisions were “highly arbitrary” and risked being used as a “political weapon.” He argued that tariff policy should rely on rigorous economic assessment rather than political considerations.
The renewed tariff uncertainty comes ahead of a highly anticipated visit by Trump to China in late March and early April, where he is expected to meet President Xi Jinping. Trade policy is likely to dominate discussions, with both sides seeking clarity on the direction of bilateral economic ties.
Other major economies are reacting cautiously. South Korea said it would continue consultations with Washington to maintain a “balance of interests,” particularly in sectors like automobiles, batteries, and semiconductors. Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan called for coordinated efforts between public and private sectors to protect export competitiveness and diversify markets.
India has reportedly delayed sending a trade delegation to Washington to finalize an interim deal, citing fresh tariff uncertainty. Meanwhile, European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde warned that businesses require predictability, not prolonged legal disputes, emphasizing that new tariff measures must be clearly defined and constitutionally sound to avoid further disruption.
As legal and political uncertainties persist, global markets face renewed questions over the stability of U.S. trade policy and its broader economic impact.
Nothing Phone 4a Series Revealed Ahead of March 5 Launch
Nothing is set to launch its A-series phones, the Phone 4a series, on March 5, 2026. Ahead of the launch, the company has revealed the first look of the standard model, showcasing a redesigned transparent rear panel. The phone retains a similar triple-camera setup with a telephoto lens, like its predecessor.
The official design reveal shows notable changes to the rear panel. The glyph LEDs, a signature design feature previously placed around the camera, are now missing, and it is unclear where the new glyph lights will be located. Additionally, the power and volume buttons have been moved toward the top side, while the Essential Key is now positioned on the left.
Nothing also confirmed that the Phone 4a series will be powered by a Snapdragon processor, although the exact chip is yet to be announced. The series is expected to include two models: the Phone 4a and the Phone 4a Pro. Both models are rumored to feature a 6.82-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate.
Speculations suggest that the Phone 4a could run on the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4, while the Pro model may pack a 5,400 mAh battery supporting 80W fast charging. Both devices are expected to run on Nothing OS 4.0, based on Android 16, right out of the box.
The Nothing Phone 4a launch event will stream live on March 5, 2026, at 4 PM IST, where fans will get a full look at the new mid-range smartphones and their features.
Google Restricts OpenClaw Users from Antigravity and Gemini AI Ultra Amid Misuse
Google has reportedly restricted certain users from accessing its specialized AI coding assistant, Antigravity, as well as Gemini AI Ultra subscriptions. The affected users were reportedly using Gemini AI models via accounts linked to the open-source coding agent framework, OpenClaw, in ways that allegedly violated Google’s policies. Reported misuse included harmful, abusive, or unauthorized activities.
The restrictions have sparked debate among Gemini users about whether companies should independently determine access to AI tools, which have become central to daily work in coding, research, and business. Decisions like these can directly impact productivity and workflow.
In response, OpenClaw creator Peter Steinberger criticized the move on X, calling it “draconian.” He wrote, “Pretty draconian from Google. Be careful out there if you use Antigravity. I guess I’ll remove support. Even Anthropic pings me and is nice about issues. Google just… bans?”
On the other hand, Varun Mohan, former Windsurf CEO and Google DeepMind engineer, defended the restrictions. In an X post, he explained that malicious use of the Antigravity backend had severely degraded service quality. He added that the restrictions were necessary to quickly cut off access to users not using the product as intended. Mohan clarified that users unaware of the ToS violation would have a path to regain access, but priority would be given to legitimate users.
Earlier, Anthropic updated its consumer terms, banning OAuth tokens in external tools, including OpenClaw. The open-source framework has been scrutinized for security risks, though it remains popular among developers for its flexibility.
Despite the controversy, OpenAI hired Peter Steinberger, with CEO Sam Altman noting that Steinberger will “drive the next generation of personal agents.” This move underscores that Steinberger’s technical expertise is highly valued in shaping future AI agent systems, even amidst the ongoing debate over access and security.
Andhra Pradesh Assembly to Debate Tirumala Laddu Controversy, Jagan’s Attendance Uncertain
The politically sensitive Tirumala laddu controversy has taken a significant turn, as the Andhra Pradesh government has decided to hold a detailed discussion on the issue in the assembly on Tuesday.
The controversy, which has sparked sharp exchanges between the ruling coalition and the opposition YSRCP, continues to attract intense political attention.
State IT Minister Nara Lokesh announced on Monday that all facts related to the alleged adulteration of ghee used in making Tirumala laddus would be presented in the assembly. He emphasized that attending the assembly is the responsibility of all legislators and urged YSRCP MLAs to participate in the discussion. Lokesh also remarked that no one would be “personally invited” to attend the House.
He criticized the opposition for taking religious issues onto the streets and condemned the practice of staging protests inside the legislature with images of deities. The government will present all findings from the SIT and related aspects during the debate.
A key question now is whether Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, YSRCP chief and former chief minister, will attend the assembly debate. Observers say his attendance could dramatically change the discussion, while his absence might be used by the ruling coalition to politically corner the opposition.
YSRCP leaders suggest that Jagan may attend if the issue is taken up for debate. However, his scheduled Pulivendula tour has added uncertainty. There is also speculation that even if he attends, he might not be allowed to speak. Senior party leaders reportedly advise that he should attempt to speak and, if denied, present his arguments outside the House.
Both the ruling coalition and YSRCP appear eager to use the assembly debate to strengthen their respective narratives. While the government prepares to formally present its case on the floor of the House, Jagan’s decision on attendance is expected to have significant political implications for the opposition.
Mani Ratnam to Team Up with Sai Pallavi and Vijay Sethupathi for New Romantic Film
Director Mani Ratnam, who faced disappointment with Thug Life, is reportedly set to collaborate with Sai Pallavi and Vijay Sethupathi for an upcoming romantic entertainer.
The film was initially offered to Dhanush. Although Dhanush liked the story and was willing to work with Mani Ratnam, he eventually had to step away due to disagreements over remuneration.
Following this, Vijay Sethupathi joined the project, marking his second collaboration with Mani Ratnam after Chekka Chivantha Vaanam. Sai Pallavi, meanwhile, will be working with Vijay Sethupathi for the first time and also marks her first project with Mani Ratnam. Their pairing promises a fresh and intriguing combination for audiences.
Earlier, Mani Ratnam reportedly approached Simbhu and even considered Dhruv Vikram for the lead role. For the female lead, Rukmini Vasanth was briefly considered, but the role ultimately went to Sai Pallavi.
The film’s shooting is expected to begin next month. Lyca Productions will produce the film, with music scored by AR Rahman.
YS Jagan Slams Nara Lokesh Over Cricket Matches; Lokesh Fires Back
Andhra Pradesh politics never fails to offer a mix of entertainment and controversy, and the latest episode involves former Chief Minister YS Jagan targeting IT Minister Nara Lokesh over his attendance at cricket matches.
Jagan questioned why Lokesh needed to attend matches in stadiums when he could watch them comfortably on TV at home. Reports in the Sakshi media alleged that Lokesh was spending crores of public money on flights and hotels to watch these games.
However, Lokesh hit back strongly, clarifying that he is spending only his own money and has never used government funds. In a witty retort, he added, “It is my own wish to decide whether I watch cricket matches on TV or in the stadium. If India qualifies for the finals of the T20 World Cup, I will go to the stadium again. If Jagan wants to join me, I will buy him a ticket as well.”
Lokesh’s response shows he is unfazed by the recent media activity from the ruling YCP, which has been targeting him over this issue. He has also confirmed that he plans to attend the next game if India reaches the finals.
Interestingly, Andhra Pradesh politics seems to be revolving around Tirumala Laddu controversies and cricket match appearances of political leaders, offering a curious mix of sport, personal choice, and public debate.