The Delhi High Court on Friday upheld the conviction of Bollywood actor Rajpal Yadav in seven cheque bounce cases, refusing to grant him the benefit of probation due to his conduct throughout the legal proceedings. The court affirmed the trial court’s order and dismissed the revision petitions filed by the actor. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma upheld the conviction under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act and confirmed the punishment awarded by the trial court. The court directed that the ₹2.25 crore already deposited by Yadav and released to the complainant should be adjusted against the total amount payable.

The High Court ordered Yadav to undergo three months of imprisonment in each of the seven cases, with all sentences to run simultaneously. It also upheld the fine imposed by the trial court, stating that failure to pay the penalty would result in an additional six months of imprisonment. The actor has been given two months to either comply with the order or seek further legal remedies.

The court specifically rejected Yadav’s request for probation, citing his conduct during the prolonged litigation. It noted that the actor had repeatedly failed to honour assurances and undertakings provided before the court, which influenced the decision to deny him leniency. The judgment was reserved on April 2 after multiple attempts by the High Court to encourage a settlement between Yadav and the complainant company, Murli Projects Pvt. Ltd., did not succeed.

During the hearings, the court expressed concern over inconsistencies in Yadav’s position regarding repayment of the outstanding dues. Justice Sharma questioned the changes in his submissions, observing that the commitments made earlier did not match the arguments presented later. The court also cautioned the parties about the seriousness of the proceedings and the amount of judicial time spent on the matter.

Representing Murli Projects Pvt. Ltd., advocate Avnish Sikka argued that Yadav had accepted the original conviction and could not avoid his financial responsibility. He pointed out that the revision petitions were filed after a delay of 1,894 days and lacked adequate justification for the delay. Sikka further argued that even after the completion of the sentence, the financial liability arising from dishonoured cheques would continue. He stated that repeated assurances and payment commitments made by Yadav had not resulted in clearance of the outstanding dues, forcing the complainant to continue legal action under the Negotiable Instruments Act.

During the proceedings, the High Court made several efforts to help both sides reach a settlement. The complainant had agreed to accept ₹6 crore as a final settlement, while the court also explored a possible payment arrangement involving an initial payment of ₹3 crore within a fixed period. However, Yadav did not accept the proposals, stating that he had already faced major financial difficulties, sold property, and made significant payments towards the liability.

Following the verdict, advocate Avnish Sikka told ANI that the High Court had completely upheld the trial court’s decision. He said all revision petitions filed by Yadav were dismissed and that the actor would have to serve the sentence while paying the amount ordered by the court. Sikka added that the High Court considered Yadav’s repeated violations of undertakings while deciding against granting probation. He also stated that the court had allowed the actor two months to comply with the order or approach a higher legal forum.

The High Court had extended Yadav’s interim bail after considering partial payments made towards the outstanding amount. The dispute originated from multiple cheque dishonour complaints in which the actor was convicted by the trial court. Yadav’s lawyer, advocate Bhaskar Upadhyay, had argued that the actor should not be penalised for mistakes allegedly made by his previous legal counsel and highlighted the impact of the criminal proceedings on his professional career.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Actor Josh Brolin has shared that he seriously considered leaving Ridley Scott's upcoming post-apocalyptic film The Dog Stars after just a single day on set, saying he initially found the director's filmmaking approach overwhelming. In an interview with People, Brolin explained that Scott's preference for filming with minimal rehearsal made him feel uneasy at the start of production. Accustomed to a different process, the actor admitted he became anxious and even contacted his agent, saying he wanted to quit because something "felt wrong."

Brolin's longtime agent encouraged him not to make a snap decision and suggested he wait before walking away from the project. Everything changed after Scott invited Brolin into his trailer to review footage from a scene he had just filmed alongside co-star Jacob Elordi. Watching the completed sequence reassured the actor, who realized Scott's unconventional style was producing impressive results. That moment helped him gain confidence and embrace the director's creative process.

Although Brolin had previously collaborated with Scott on American Gangster, he said it still took him a couple of days to adjust to the filmmaker's fast-moving, multi-camera method. Once he adapted, he found the experience both exhilarating and creatively rewarding. Brolin described The Dog Stars as one of the most fulfilling projects of his career. He noted that while he had always wanted to challenge himself with more ambitious roles, his initial reaction was to resist the very opportunity he had been seeking.

Directed by Ridley Scott, The Dog Stars is based on Peter Heller's bestselling novel and features a screenplay by Mark L. Smith. The cast includes Jacob Elordi, Margaret Qualley, Guy Pearce, Benedict Wong, Allison Janney, and Josh Brolin. The story follows Hig, a civilian pilot portrayed by Elordi, who survives in a post-apocalyptic world until a mysterious radio signal inspires him to embark on a dangerous journey in search of hope. Brolin is also set to appear in Whalefall and will return as Gurney Halleck in Dune: Part Three. The Dog Stars is currently scheduled to arrive in theatres on August 28.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Insta/@ joshbrolin.

Soha Ali Khan recently made an emotional return to her alma mater, Balliol College, this time accompanied by her husband Kunal Khemu and their daughter. The visit became a nostalgic family moment, as she revisited the institution that played a significant role in shaping her academic and personal journey.

She shared the experience on social media, describing it as a deeply meaningful trip down memory lane. According to her post, returning to Oxford felt especially special because she was able to introduce her daughter to a place that holds immense personal history for her. Despite the rainy weather, she described the day as warm and memorable, filled with reflection and family bonding.

In her caption, Soha expressed how her daughter viewed the historic campus with wonder, comparing it to the magical world of “Harry Potter,” while she herself was reminded of her student years, ancient college architecture, and family stories tied to Oxford. She also noted with pride that her daughter represents the fourth generation in their family to walk the same iconic streets of the city.

The visit also highlighted the long academic legacy of the Pataudi family at Oxford. Her grandfather, Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, the 8th Nawab of Pataudi, enrolled at Balliol College in 1927. Later, her father, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, studied there from 1960 to 1964, where he captained the Oxford cricket team before going on to become India’s youngest Test cricket captain. Beyond this personal milestone, Soha Ali Khan continues her professional work. She was last seen in Chhorri 2 and is currently engaged in hosting her podcast All About Her, where she explores conversations around women’s experiences and stories.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Insta/@sakpataudi.

Netflix has officially announced Ikka, a high-stakes courtroom drama featuring Sunny Deol and Akshaye Khanna, set to release on July 10. Directed by Siddharth P. Malhotra, the film also marks Deol’s debut on Netflix and reunites the two actors in a story built around justice, ethics, and emotional conflict. Set during a tense legal case, Ikka centers on a renowned lawyer, played by Sunny Deol, who is unexpectedly required to defend a man from his past, portrayed by Akshaye Khanna. This case resurfaces old memories and forces him to question his beliefs as he tries to manage conflicting pressures from his personal life, family duties, and professional ethics.

The film features Tillotama Shome as a strong-willed public prosecutor pursuing justice, while Dia Mirza plays a wife and mother struggling to keep her family intact amid rising tensions. Monika Shergill, Vice President of Content at Netflix India, described Ikka as a gripping courtroom drama filled with moral dilemmas, emotional depth, and suspense. She highlighted its layered storytelling and the way it keeps viewers engaged with unexpected twists and thought-provoking questions.

She also noted the significance of Sunny Deol’s Netflix debut and his return to the courtroom genre after many years, alongside Akshaye Khanna, whose performance is expected to complement him strongly. With Tillotama Shome and Dia Mirza also part of the cast, she emphasized the strong ensemble driving the narrative. Produced by Alchemy Films, the movie explores the ripple effects of difficult decisions and the complexity of justice beyond the courtroom setting.

Director Siddharth P. Malhotra shared that Ikka has been a long-time passion project, especially as he has always admired courtroom dramas. He explained that the film is as much about emotional and personal conflicts as it is about legal proceedings. He also expressed excitement about working with Sunny Deol in a lawyer’s role once again, alongside a talented cast, calling it a project that came together at the right moment following his work on Maharaj.

Written by Althea Kaushal and Mayank Tewari and produced by Siddharth and Sapna Malhotra under Alchemy Films, the film also stars Sanjeeda Shaikh, Shishir Sharma, and Akansha Ranjan Kapoor. Ikka explores themes of loyalty, accountability, and sacrifice, and will premiere exclusively on Netflix on July 10.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Instagram/@netflix_in.

In “Made in SG,” Melanie Oliveiro interviews the co-founders of W:RLD, a new menswear label from Singapore created for modern men in hot, fast-moving urban environments. Lucas Yong and Roger Poon share the inspiration behind starting the brand and how they teamed up with other co-founders to bring W:RLD to life. They also discuss the pieces in their debut collection, including blazers, trousers, shirts, and T-shirts, which are crafted using advanced fabric technologies designed to regulate heat, moisture, and odour.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

Donald Trump continues to provoke strong reactions from his critics, yet they rarely seem to affect him politically. The bigger question now is whether his own MAGA supporters are beginning to turn away. Amid controversies involving the Epstein files, his actions regarding Iran, and a recent post viewed by some as blasphemous—showing him portrayed as Jesus—there are growing signs of tension within his base. Jonathan Freedland discusses with Rolling Stone’s Nikki McCann Ramírez the series of scandals surrounding Trump, increasing criticism from prominent MAGA figures, and what it could mean when a personality-driven movement starts losing faith in its central figure.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian

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.