Kannada actress Ranya Rao, 33, was arrested at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport on March 3, 2025, for attempting to smuggle 14.8 kg of gold worth ₹12.56 crore concealed on her person. Investigations revealed she had made 30 trips to Dubai in the past year, allegedly smuggling gold each time. Authorities discovered gold jewelry worth ₹2.06 crore and ₹2.67 crore in cash at her residence, bringing the total seized assets to ₹17.29 crore. Ranya reportedly earned ₹1 lakh per kilogram of smuggled gold, amounting to ₹12–13 lakh per trip. She allegedly used modified clothing to conceal the gold and had possible connections with police officials to bypass airport security checks. Her stepfather, DGP Ramachandra Rao, has distanced himself from her actions, stating they had no connection to his professional life.

Alia Bhatt has finally spoken about the box office failure of Jigra. In a podcast with Jay Shetty, she shared how the experience has fueled her passion. “I had a film released last year that didn’t do really well, and that’s given me a new vigour for a new dream,” she said. Jigra, directed by Vasan Bala, featured Alia as a sister on a mission to save her brother. Despite its underperformance, she remains motivated. “I don’t think I’m ever comfortable, and I really like that about my mind,” she added. Alia will next appear in Love and War.

  Kannada actress Ranya Rao, arrested at Bengaluru International Airport for attempting to smuggle 14.8 kg of gold worth over ₹12 crore from Dubai, employed a consistent modus operandi to evade detection. She made multiple trips to Dubai, reportedly 30 times over the past year, frequently wearing the same modified jacket and belt designed to conceal gold bars. Leveraging her connections, Rao allegedly identified herself as the stepdaughter of senior IPS officer Ramachandra Rao and secured police escorts upon arrival to bypass customs scrutiny. Authorities are investigating potential involvement of law enforcement personnel and links to a broader smuggling syndicate. 

Kannada actor Ranya Rao, 33, was apprehended at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport upon arrival from Dubai. Authorities discovered 14.2 kg of gold bars, valued at ₹12.56 crore, concealed on her person. Subsequent searches at her Lavelle Road residence yielded gold jewelry worth ₹2.06 crore and ₹2.67 crore in cash. In total, assets worth ₹17.29 crore were seized. Ranya, known for her debut in the 2014 film "Maanikya," is the stepdaughter of senior IPS officer Ramachandra Rao. Her frequent short trips to Gulf countries had placed her under the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence's (DRI) scrutiny. She has been arrested under the Customs Act, 1962, and remanded to judicial custody.

Actors Tamannaah Bhatia and Vijay Varma have ended their two-year relationship but will remain good friends, sources revealed. The duo, who confirmed their romance during the release of Lust Stories 2 (2023), reportedly kept the breakup low-key. "It is not something to celebrate," a source told India Today Digital. Varma had previously expressed surprise at the public’s interest in their relationship, calling it "bigger news than my film’s release." Their romance began after working together on Lust Stories 2, with Varma asking Tamannaah out at the film’s wrap-up party.

Bollywood actor John Abraham admitted to experiencing "geo-political anxiety" while closely following global conflicts, including Israel-Hamas and Russia-Ukraine wars. Ahead of his film The Diplomat, he said, "I feel Jerusalem is at the center of every conflict today." He believes understanding global politics enhances awareness and informed decision-making. Reacting to Israel’s airstrikes in Damascus, he expressed concern: “What’s gone wrong?” He compared his anxiety to environmental anxiety, highlighting its impact. The Diplomat, releasing on March 14, reflects his passion for global affairs, with his character embodying deep political awareness.

Vicky Kaushal's "Chhaava," directed by Laxman Utekar, has emerged as a monumental success, grossing ₹447.26 crore in just 16 days. The film is poised to surpass Salman Khan's "Sultan," which amassed ₹600 crore globally. "Chhaava" achieved a remarkable ₹41 crore on its second Sunday, becoming the second-highest earner on that day in Bollywood history, trailing only "Stree 2." The movie also outperformed "Stree 2" on the second Saturday, collecting ₹44.1 crore. With a production budget of ₹130 crore, "Chhaava" has more than tripled its investment, solidifying its status as the highest-grossing Indian film of 2025. The film features Kaushal as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, alongside Rashmika Mandanna and Akshaye Khanna.

At the 2025 Oscars, "No Other Land," directed by Palestinian-Israeli activists Yuval Abraham, Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, and Rachel Szor, won Best Documentary. In their acceptance speech, they urged global action to "stop the ethnic cleansing of Palestinian people," highlighting the need for a political resolution to the Gaza conflict. The film, a collaborative effort, sheds light on the injustices faced by Palestinians, aiming to raise international awareness. Their poignant message resonated with the audience, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the ongoing humanitarian crisis. The directors' call to action underscores the power of cinema to spotlight critical issues and inspire change.

Mikey Madison won Best Actress for Anora at the 97th Academy Awards, stunning audiences. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande’s Wicked performance captivated the crowd. Halle Berry and Adrien Brody recreated their iconic 2003 kiss, calling it "payback." Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet shared a moment inside the ceremony. Host Conan O'Brien honored Los Angeles wildfire firefighters, calling them “heroes.” Iranian filmmakers overcame visa struggles to attend and win Best Animated Short Film. Political statements surfaced, with Palestinian filmmakers addressing U.S. policy and Daryl Hannah supporting Ukraine. The Oscars blended glamour, surprises, and powerful messages this year.

The documentary No Other Land won Best Documentary Feature at the 97th Academy Awards. Directed by Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham, and Rachel Szor, the film highlights Palestinian resistance to forced displacement in the West Bank. It follows Basel Adra, who documents the struggles of his people and gains support from a Jewish Israeli journalist. Filmed over four years, it premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival, winning multiple awards. The documentary has been praised for its powerful storytelling but has yet to secure U.S. distribution.