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Veteran actor Pradeep Rawat, known for Ghajini and Lagaan, dies at 74 after cancer battle

Veteran actor Pradeep Rawat, celebrated for his roles in Ghajini, Lagaan and Mahabharat, died at the age of 74 while undergoing treatment for cancer.

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Veteran actor Pradeep Rawat, best known for his performances in Ghajini, Lagaan and the television epic Mahabharat, died on Tuesday evening while undergoing treatment for cancer. He was 74.

Rawat breathed his last at around 6 pm. He had initially been admitted to Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai before being shifted to a cancer hospital in Bhiwandi around 10 days ago for further treatment. He is survived by his wife and son, Vikramaditya.

Yashpal Sharma pays tribute

Actor Yashpal Sharma paid tribute to Pradeep Rawat through a post on his Instagram handle following the veteran actor’s demise.

Career spanning more than three decades

Pradeep Rawat built a successful acting career across Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam cinema over more than three decades.

He gained widespread recognition for portraying the ruthless antagonist in the 2005 Tamil film Ghajini. The performance earned him the opportunity to reprise the same role alongside Aamir Khan in the Hindi remake released in 2008.

Before Ghajini, Rawat had shared screen space with Aamir Khan in the 2001 film Lagaan.

Many television viewers also remember him for portraying Ashwatthama, the son of Dronacharya, in BR Chopra’s iconic television series Mahabharat. Although he made his film debut with Meri Jung in 1985, the television role brought him widespread recognition.

Memorable performances across languages

Throughout his career, Rawat appeared in several notable films, including Sarfarosh, The Hero: Love Story of a Spy, Stalin, Veeram, 1: Nenokkadine, Loukyam, Nenu Sailaja, Sarrainodu, Nene Raju Nene Mantri, Aayirathil Iruvar, Market Raja MBBS and Miss Match.

A significant milestone came with SS Rajamouli’s Sye (2004), which marked his debut in Telugu cinema.

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Dhanush’s call for public service fuels speculation on entry into politics

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Tamil actor Dhanush has sparked political rumours after urging his fan clubs to focus on public service and “find a purpose” beyond celebrating his films during a blood donation camp in Chennai.

While his remarks triggered widespread discussion online, the actor hasn’t formally announced his political entry.

Addressing members of his fan associations, Dhanush encouraged them to channel their collective strength towards welfare initiatives that could positively impact society. He urged his supporters to identify the needs of people in their local communities and extend help wherever possible, saying he wanted his fans to be known for their service rather than just their support for his films.

The speech quickly gained attention on social media, with several users drawing comparisons between Dhanush and actor-politician Vijay, whose fan clubs had similarly expanded their welfare activities before he formally entered politics. Many online users interpreted Dhanush’s emphasis on organised social work as a possible indication of future political ambitions.

Dhanush did not make any reference to joining politics or launching a political outfit during his address. His speech remained focused on encouraging fans to undertake blood donation drives, charitable work and other community welfare initiatives.

The actor’s fan clubs have long been involved in social service activities, including relief work, blood donation camps and assistance during natural disasters. His latest remarks have, however, brought back online discussions over whether he could eventually follow the path taken by Vijay and several other Tamil cinema personalities who entered public life.

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Vijay’s last film Jana Nayagan poised for massive opening, Rs 100 crore business expected on Day 1

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Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay’s final film, Jana Nayagan, is expected to make a record-breaking start at the box office, with trade analysts predicting an opening-day collection of around Rs 100 crore worldwide.

If the prediction proves accurate, the film could surpass the opening-day collections of blockbuster films such as Jailer, The Greatest of All Time (GOAT), and Pathaan, making it one of the biggest openings in Indian cinema.

Directed by H. Vinoth and produced by KVN Productions, Jana Nayagan was Vijay’s final film before his full-time entry into politics. The movie also stars Pooja Hegde, Bobby Deol, Mamitha Baiju, Prakash Raj, Priyamani, and Gautham Vasudev Menon in key roles. The film is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on July 23, 2026.

Advance bookings for Jana Nayagan have shown an overwhelming response in India and overseas. Trade reports indicate that the film has sold more than 6.45 lakh tickets in advance, generating over Rs 16 crore in pre-sales across India. Industry analysts note that the advance booking figure is still lower than those of Vijay’s earlier blockbuster releases, Leo and The Greatest of All Time (GOAT).

The excitements surrounding Jana Nayagan is driven not only by Vijay’s popularity but also by the emotional significance of it being his last film. Fans have been booking first-day-first-show tickets in large numbers, especially in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Trade experts believe that if positive audience reviews and word-of-mouth follow the release, Jana Nayagan could become one of the highest-grossing Tamil films of the year.

As of now, the film is gearing up for its July 23 release, with distributors and exhibitors expecting packed theatres across the country. Whether Jana Nayagan crosses the Rs 100 crore mark on its opening day and breaks the records of Jailer and GOAT, and Pathaan will become clear once box-office figures are released after its premiere.

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FIFA World Cup final halftime show divides fans despite stars

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FIFA’s decision to introduce a halftime show during the 2026 FIFA World Cup final has sparked mixed reactions among football fans around the world. While the announcement of stars Shakira, Justin Bieber, Madonna, and BTS generated excitement, many supporters questioned whether a concert-style performance belongs in football’s biggest event.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, concluded with the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey in the small hours of Monday. For the first time in the tournament’s history, FIFA held an entertainment show during halftime, similar to the Super Bowl tradition in the United States.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the halftime show was intended to make the World Cup final a larger global entertainment event and attract a wider audience. The performance featured internationally recognized artists, including Shakira, known for her iconic World Cup songs Waka Waka and La La La, former boy wonder Justin Bieber along with pop legend Madonna and South Korean music group BTS. FIFA said the event will celebrate football, music, and culture on one stage.

However, the announcement has divided fans and football experts. Many welcomed the idea, saying it would make the final more entertaining and help attract younger audiences. They said the presence of world-famous artists will increase the tournament’s global appeal and create an unforgettable experience for spectators.

Others, including seminal punk rock band The Cure frontman Robert Smith, strongly criticized the decision, arguing that football traditions should not be changed. Critics fear that extending the halftime break for a concert could affect players’ physical rhythm, preparation, and match intensity. Some fans also said the focus should remain on the sport rather than celebrity performances.

FIFA assured that the performance was carefully planned to avoid disrupting the match while maintaining high production standards. Security, stage setup, and broadcast arrangements were also coordinated to ensure a smooth event.

As of now, the halftime show remains one of the most talked-about aspects of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final apart from the boorish behavior of the Argentine squad.

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