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Election Commission of India appoints Rajkummar Rao as national icon, actor to promote voter education, turnout

Earlier, the Election Commission had appointed actors like Pankaj Tripathi and Aamir Khan, as well as celebrated sports personalities such as Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni and MC Mary Kom as national icons. 

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Election Commission of India appoints Rajkummar Rao as National Icon, actor to promote voter education, turnout

The Election Commission of India on Thursday appointed Bollywood actor Rajkummar Rao as the national icon. The actor signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Election Commission to promote voter education and turnout. This move is reportedly aimed at inspiring millions of people across the country to take part in the electoral process. 

The Bollywood actor has been appointed as the national icon ahead of the assembly elections in five states and 2024 Lok Sabha elections. On November 7, the northeastern state of Mizoram will conduct elections. Chhattisgarh will go into polls on November 7 and November 17. Madhya Pradesh will conduct the election on November 17. Rajasthan and Telangana will carry out one-phase election on November 23 and November 30 respectively. The counting of votes in all the five states will take place on December 3.

For the upcoming assembly election, the poll panel also introduced an Election Seizure Management System for enhancing oversight for inducement-free elections. Notably, Rajukumar Rao gained widespread acclaim for his portrayal of a principled government clerk in the Hindi film Newton. His character portrayed unwavering determination to conduct a free and fair election in the Maoist-affected regions of Chhattisgarh, overcoming multiple challenges. Newton also received the prestigious National Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi. 

Earlier, the Election Commission had appointed actors like Pankaj Tripathi and Aamir Khan, as well as celebrated sports personalities such as Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni and MC Mary Kom as national icons. 

Meanwhile, on the work front, Rajkummar Rao is all set to reunite with Janhvi Kapoor, in Mr And Mrs Mahi. Rao is also slated to play the lead role in the inspirational biopic of industrialist Srikant Bolla, titled Sri. In addition, he also has Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video with Tripti Dimri in his pipeline. 

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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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