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Fact Check: Did Pfizer really sponsor Oscars 2022?

Claims have been made on social media that a brawl between two celebrities at the 94th Academy Awards was staged by Pfizer, one of the ceremony’s sponsors, to sell a new drug for alopecia. Know what’s the truth.

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Fact Check: Did Pfizer really sponsor Oscars 2022?

The slapgate scandal between Will Smith and Chris Rock is among the most talked-about celebrity scandals of 2022 so far. Claims have been made on social media that a brawl between two celebrities at the 94th Academy Awards was staged by Pfizer, one of the ceremony’s sponsors, to sell a new drug.

If you’ve been on social media in the last 48 hours, you’re probably aware that Smith rushed to the Oscar stage when Rock made an alopecia joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, who suffers from hair loss due to her disease. Despite Smith’s apology at the Academy Awards for his inappropriate behaviour, conspiracy theories have developed in the aftermath of the slap gate incident on March 27 that Pfizer is developing a drug for alopecia disease and wants to promote the new drug.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CboD3G6Akc8/

Claim

Another theory claims that the brawl was staged by Oscars sponsor Pfizer to raise awareness about alopecia before the company submitted its latest medication for FDA clearance.

One of the users tweeted, Pfizer sponsored the Oscars last night and they have an alopecia drug coming out. Do you see the game yet? he said.

Another tweeted that rumor is Pfizer, who sponsored the Oscars, needed a big moment around Alopecia because they have a drug coming to market. So the slap was staged. If I hadn’t witnessed the absolute corruption of the pharma industry in the past 2 years I’d think this was ridiculous, but now, he added.

Fact Check

It’s true that Pfizer who was a co-sponsor of the Academy Awards, and Arena, one of its subsidiaries, is working on a treatment named etrasimod.  But before being acquired by Pfizer in March 2022, Arena had been developing etrasimod for a long time, and Pfizer made it clear that etrasimod will compete with Bristol Myers Squibb’s Zeposia.

Plus, etrasimod isn’t a miracle cure for alopecia. It’s a long-term treatment for immuno-inflammatory illnesses that are being developed as an oral supplement. According to the reports, the FDA submission will be reviewed in a scientific context, therefore it won’t matter what the public thinks about alopecia.

Disclaimer: The post is being widely circulated on the Internet. APN News doesn’t vouch for the veracity of the claim mentioned in the above post.

Entertainment

Gaurav Khanna wins Bigg Boss 19, lifts trophy and Rs 50 lakh prize

Gaurav Khanna has been crowned the winner of Bigg Boss 19, securing the trophy and Rs 50 lakh after a competitive finale.

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Television actor Gaurav Khanna has been declared the winner of Bigg Boss 19, bringing the curtain down on a season packed with drama, intense face-offs and emotional moments. He secured the top spot after a closely fought finale, with Farhana Bhatt finishing as the first runner-up.

Gaurav Khanna’s steady game pays off

Premiering on August 24 with 18 contestants, the season showcased shifting alliances, sharp strategies and memorable confrontations. Despite being seen as quiet in the early weeks, Gaurav Khanna gradually emerged as one of the strongest voices inside the house. His composed demeanour and calculated task performance helped him build momentum through the competition.

Farhana Bhatt ends as runner-up

Farhana Bhatt, known for her dynamic presence and determination throughout the season, finished second. Although she narrowly missed the title, her journey remained one of the standout tracks of the show.

Finale eliminations

The grand finale began with multiple eliminations — Amaal Mallik was the first finalist to bow out, followed by Tanya Mittal, and then Pranit More, leaving Gaurav and Farhana as the top two contenders.
Gaurav ultimately lifted the trophy and took home a cash prize of Rs 50 lakh.

With the conclusion of Bigg Boss 19, the show wraps another season marked by strategy, rivalry and heartfelt moments that kept viewers engaged from start to finish.

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Dhurandhar review: Ranveer Singh roars back, Akshaye Khanna shines in intense spy thriller

Ranveer Singh returns with a ferocious performance in Dhurandhar, supported by Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, and a gripping espionage storyline set against real historical events.

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Dhurandhar review

Ranveer Singh makes a striking return to the big screen with Dhurandhar, delivering a fierce, layered performance in Aditya Dhar’s ambitious spy thriller. Blending historical terror incidents with a fictional revenge saga, the film explores India’s covert response to cross-border terrorism through the secret project ‘Dhurandhar’.

A brutal world built around revenge and espionage

Set around the IC-814 Kandahar hijack and the 2001 Parliament attack, Dhurandhar opens with Ajay Sanyal, an Intelligence Bureau officer played by R Madhavan, who strongly opposes releasing captured terrorists. Despite his resistance, bureaucracy prevails, setting the stage for the covert mission he later leads.

The project introduces its central weapon — Humza Ali Mazari, later revealed to be Jaskirat Singh Rangil — portrayed by Ranveer Singh with ferocity and emotional depth. Dropped straight into Karachi’s dangerous Lyari district, Humza navigates a nexus of gangs, politicians, and the ISI, with the narrative also touching upon tensions between local Pakistanis and Baloch communities.

Performances that elevate the film

Akshaye Khanna nearly steals the spotlight as a feared Lyari gangster inspired by Rehman ‘Dakait’ Baloch. Sanjay Dutt’s portrayal of SP Chaudhry Aslam brings an intimidating presence, while Arjun Rampal’s Major Iqbal leaves a lingering impact despite limited screen time.

Sara Arjun plays Yalina with conviction, and the film also features an unrecognisable Gaurav Gera in a surprise appearance.

Music, violence, and a split narrative

Shashwat Sachdev’s background score stands out, weaving classic Pakistani melodies with Indian retro hits to complement the film’s shifting tones. Viewers should be prepared for intense brutality, graphic torture scenes, and sudden shifts in narrative style — especially in a second half that feels markedly different from the first.

The episodic structure, archival footage, and mix of real and fictional characters add layers, though some may find the format distracting.

Ending that sets up part two

While the film does not end on a dramatic cliffhanger, its teaser for the second part — scheduled for March 19, 2026 — ensures audiences will return to witness the conclusion of Humza’s journey.

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Entertainment

120 Bahadur box office day 1: Farhan Akhtar’s film starts slow with Rs 2.35 crore opening

Farhan Akhtar’s new release 120 Bahadur opened to Rs2.35 crore, while De De Pyaar De 2 continued its strong hold on day eight.

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Farhan akhtar

Farhan Akhtar’s latest release 120 Bahadur hit theatres on November 21 but registered a dull opening on its first day, earning Rs 2.35 crore. In comparison, De De Pyaar De 2, which is now in its second week, continues to show stronger hold at the box office.

Slow start for 120 Bahadur on day one

The action-drama opened to modest numbers on Friday, collecting Rs2.35 crore on its first day. Despite pre-release buzz around Farhan Akhtar’s performance, the film has begun its run on the lower side.

De De Pyaar De 2 maintains its advantage

Meanwhile, De De Pyaar De 2 continues its steady run. On its eighth day, the film maintained an edge over 120 Bahadur in overall earnings, according to media. The strong hold of the Ajay Devgn-led sequel appears to have impacted the new release’s opening day business.

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