In a significant development in the death case of renowned singer Zubeen Garg, the Gauhati High Court has appointed Sharmila Bhuyan, District Judge of Baksa, to preside over a dedicated fast-track sessions court that will conduct day-to-day trial proceedings. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma welcomed the decision and expressed gratitude to Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar for approving the request. Calling it a “significant milestone” in the pursuit of justice, Sarma said the move would help accelerate the judicial process and ensure timely delivery of justice in the high-profile case.

The development follows the Assam Cabinet’s decision in February to seek a fast-track trial, considering the sensitivity of the matter and its potential impact on public trust and governance. The state government had formally urged the Gauhati High Court to establish an exclusive court to handle the case on a daily basis.

Zubeen Garg passed away in Singapore on September 19, 2025. According to reports presented before a coroner’s court, the singer drowned near Lazarus Island after removing his life jacket during a yacht party. He was reportedly heavily intoxicated at the time and declined to wear another life jacket when offered. Witnesses stated that he attempted to swim back to the yacht but later became unresponsive and was found floating face-down in the water. Garg’s family had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking the formation of a special court, an expedited trial in Assam, and necessary diplomatic and legal intervention in Singapore following his death.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

The Union government has confirmed that the song “Sarke Chunariya” has been banned following widespread criticism over its lyrics and visuals. Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Ashwini Vaishnaw, announced the decision in the Lok Sabha in response to a question from Samajwadi Party MP Anand Bhadouria.

Vaishnaw stated that the government had already taken action against the song and emphasized that freedom of speech in India is subject to constitutional limits. He highlighted that expression must adhere to reasonable restrictions outlined in the Constitution. “The song has already been banned,” he said, adding, “Freedom of speech cannot be absolute. It has to be in the context of society and culture, following the reasonable restrictions set by the Constitution’s creators.”

The minister referenced Article 19(2), which permits restrictions on speech in the interest of public order, decency, morality, and other concerns. He also noted that with the rapid spread of content through digital platforms, the government is prepared to take strict measures to protect society, particularly children, women, and marginalized groups.

The controversy began after the song, featuring Nora Fatehi and Sanjay Dutt, was released, with critics accusing it of vulgar lyrics and visuals objectifying women. Public backlash grew quickly, with demands for the song’s removal and filing of FIRs. Several figures and organizations, including the Haryana and Karnataka Women Commissions, actor-politicians Ravi Kishan and Kangana Ranaut, and singer Armaan Malik, criticized the track. An advocate also approached the CBFC, seeking a ban, citing its potential harm to minors.

The song was launched at an event attended by Nora Fatehi, director Prem, composer Arjun Janya, Rakshitha, Reeshma Nanaiah, and the film’s lead Dhruva Sarja. Produced by Venkat K Narayana under KVN Productions, KD: The Devil is a period action film inspired by real events from 1970s Bangalore. The movie stars Dhruva Sarja in the titular role, alongside Sanjay Dutt, Shilpa Shetty Kundra, Ramesh Aravind, Reeshma Nanaiah, and V Ravichandran, and is set to release theatrically on April 30, 2026.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Edward Norton will be honored at the Los Angeles–Italia Festival with a special screening of Barry Alexander Brown’s documentary Fasting and the Longevity Revolution, Variety reported. The recognition will take place during the festival’s annual pre-Oscars celebration, highlighting Hollywood’s cultural connections with Italy, from March 8–14 at Hollywood’s TCL Chinese Theatre.

Norton will share the stage with Brown, known for his long-time collaboration as an editor with Spike Lee; Italian-American biologist and nutrition expert Valter Longo; and social impact producer Chiara Tilesi. Together, they will discuss the Mediterranean diet and the link between mindful nutrition and quality of life, as noted in Variety.

Founded and produced by Pascal Vicedomini, the L.A.-Italia Festival is backed by Italy’s Ministry of Culture and other organizations. This year’s program includes the U.S. premiere of the Anna Magnani biopic Anna: The Untold Story, directed by and starring Monica Guerritore. Additional screenings feature Italian hits such as Buen Camino starring Checco Zalone, Ohi Vita by Pio and Amedeo, and La vita va così by Riccardo Milani. The festival will also honor Italian singer-songwriter and producer Tony Renis, and celebrate the 50th anniversary of Bernardo Bertolucci’s epic Novecento, starring Robert De Niro and Gérard Depardieu.

Closing the event will be the FIFA World Cup documentary Two Billion Hearts, directed by Brazil’s Murilo Salles and narrated by Liev Schreiber, ahead of the 2026 tournament hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The festival continues to highlight the intersection of Italian culture, cinema, and global events, providing a platform for cross-cultural exchange and celebrating Italy’s influence on Hollywood storytelling.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.

The release of Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, directed by David Dhawan and starring Varun Dhawan, has been postponed for the second time. The makers have now announced a new theatrical release date of June 12, 2026. The film was earlier scheduled for June 5, 2026, and before that, it had originally been set to release on April 10, 2026.

The change was confirmed through an official statement on Instagram on Tuesday. The team explained that the decision came after assessing recent developments and the broader industry scenario. “We would like to clarify that our film Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai was initially slated for 5th June, a date announced several months ago. However, given recent developments and the prevailing situation, we felt it was more appropriate to postpone the release,” the statement read. The producers also highlighted the importance of industry solidarity. “We believe it’s healthier for filmmakers to support each other rather than compete for the same release date. With that spirit, we have moved the release to 12th June to bring our film to audiences a week later.”

Produced by Ramesh Taurani and helmed by veteran director David Dhawan, the film promises a lively mix of romance and comedy. Alongside Varun Dhawan, the lead cast includes Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde, while supporting roles feature Maniesh Paul, Jimmy Shergill, Mouni Roy, Chunkey Panday, Rakesh Bedi, and Ali Asgar.

The film’s title draws inspiration from a popular track in David Dhawan’s 1999 hit Biwi No.1, which starred Salman Khan, Karisma Kapoor, and Sushmita Sen. Varun Dhawan was most recently seen in the romantic comedy Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari alongside Janhvi Kapoor. Released on October 2, the film also featured Sanya Malhotra and Rohit Saraf, following the story of two former lovers in Delhi trying to rekindle their romance, leading to humorous misunderstandings and unexpected relationships.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from India TV.

Melanie Oliveiro presents Episode 2 of her new Made in SG series titled EverNew versus EverGreen. The show features discussions and sometimes debates between industry veterans and younger or emerging talents. Renowned Singaporean jazz musician and Cultural Medallion recipient Jeremy Monteiro shares insights on the growth and evolution of the local jazz scene and talks about his ongoing work as a pianist, singer songwriter, and composer. He is joined by the younger generation of musicians, including multitalented Chok Kerong and flutist Rit Xu, both of whom have also established themselves in the music scene.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

In the episode of ‘Culture Club,’ Melanie Oliveiro chats with Claire Javier, an emerging indie-pop singer-songwriter, about her music, focusing on her latest single, “Easy.” Javier shares the story behind the dreamy and playful track, which captures the surreal feeling of a past romance. The Filipino-Singaporean artist also discusses her other single, “Misbehave,” her experiences performing live, and her evolution from introspective songwriting to a more narrative and confessional style. To explore more Singaporean artists like Claire Javier, visit Hear65.com, an initiative by the National Arts Council, produced by independent music media company Bandwagon.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

The 2025 Emmy Award nominations are out, with Severance leading the pack with 27 nominations. The Penguin follows closely with 24, while The Studio and The White Lotus each earned 23 nods, highlighting the top contenders in television over the past year. Hairianto Diman and Susan Ng discuss the most unexpected omissions and surprise nominations with Dr. Nasya Bahfen, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Politics, Media, and Philosophy at La Trobe University.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

He’s spent a full day submerged in slime, stayed underground for 48 hours, and given away huge sums of money to fortunate contestants. But are MrBeast’s videos just clever clickbait – or bold experiments in creative innovation?
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from The Guardian