As the 97th Academy Awards nominations were unveiled, Indian cinema found itself with mixed fortunes. While the much-anticipated Oscars saw the inclusion of one Indian film, Anuja, in the Best Live Action Short Film category, several major contenders were left out of the nominations entirely.

This year, despite the strong buzz surrounding Indian films like Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, Putul, Aadujeevitham: The Goat Life, All We Imagine As Light, Band of Maharajas, Kanguva, The Zebras, Girls Will Be Girls, and Santosh, none of them made it to the final list of nominees. The exclusion of these titles has raised eyebrows, particularly among fans and industry insiders who had high hopes for their inclusion.

The lone Indian contender making waves at the Oscars 2025 is Anuja, a poignant short film produced by Guneet Monga and Priyanka Chopra. Directed by Adam J. Graves, the film follows the story of Anuja, a young girl played by Sajda Pathan, who works in a garment factory in Delhi. Anuja, along with her sister Palak (played by Ananya Shanbhag), is faced with an incredibly difficult decision that could alter the course of her life and her family’s future.

The announcement of the nominations was made today during a live-streamed ceremony hosted by actors-comedians Rachel Sennott and Bowen Yang, which took place at the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater. The event revealed the nominees across all 24 Oscar categories.

While the exclusion of several noteworthy Indian films is disheartening for many, the success of Anuja offers a glimmer of hope for Indian cinema in the global spotlight. The 97th Academy Awards ceremony will be held on March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, with Conan O’Brien serving as the host for the star-studded event.

As the Oscars approach, the spotlight remains on Anuja, with audiences eager to see how the film will fare in the prestigious race for the gold statue.

Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag, known for his explosive batting and historic triple centuries in Tests, has become the center of attention after a report raised significant claims about his personal life. On Thursday, it was reported that Sehwag and his wife, Aarti, have reportedly been living separately for several months, leading to speculation about a potential divorce.

Sehwag, who married Aarti in December 2004, has always kept his personal life relatively private. The couple, who has two sons – Aryavir (born in 2007) and Vedant (born in 2010) – has not publicly addressed the rumors. The report mentioned that there has been no official statement from either party regarding the ongoing situation. As of now, the couple has remained silent, and the media has been eagerly waiting for any kind of response.

While the news quickly gained traction on social media, further scrutiny was fueled by Sehwag’s recent online activity. The former cricketer, known for his lighthearted posts and interactions with his fans, has not shared any recent images with Aarti on his social media accounts. Although his profile still contains several old pictures of the couple, Sehwag no longer follows Aarti on Instagram. Additionally, Aarti’s Instagram account has remained private, adding more fuel to the speculation.

The news of their alleged separation comes at a time when Sehwag has been actively engaging with his followers about his son Aryavir’s recent cricket achievements. In November 2024, Sehwag shared a post praising his son for scoring 297 runs against Meghalaya in the Cooch Behar Trophy. Sehwag reminded Aryavir of an old promise he had made, saying that a Ferrari would be gifted to his son if he ever surpassed Sehwag’s own highest score of 319 runs. While Aryavir fell just 23 runs short of his father’s record, the proud father encouraged him to keep pursuing his goals.

The rumor of a possible separation between Virender Sehwag and Aarti has prompted widespread discussion, but until either party makes an official statement, the story remains speculative. This news also marks another chapter in the ever-evolving relationship between celebrities and the media, as the public continues to take a keen interest in their personal lives.

India is all set to celebrate its 76th Republic Day this year, marking the adoption of the Constitution in 1950. As part of the national celebrations, the Republic Day parade, scheduled for January 26, will feature a spectacular display of cultural exhibitions, with a special emphasis on state tableaux. This year’s Republic Day theme is “Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas” (Heritage and Development), aiming to highlight the nation’s rich cultural legacy alongside its progress and future development.

Fifteen States and Union Territories to showcase their Tableaux

The Republic Day parade will see the participation of fifteen states and union territories, each presenting a tableau that will reflect their unique culture, heritage, and contributions to India’s development. The participating states and UTs include Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chandigarh, Dadar Nagar Haveli & Daman and Diu, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

In addition to the states and UTs, 15 government ministries and departments will also present their own tableaux, offering insights into the various initiatives and achievements of the Indian government.

Kartavya Path: The heart of Republic Day celebrations

The grand parade will be held on Kartavya Path, the ceremonial avenue in the national capital, New Delhi. While these selected states, UTs, and ministries will take center stage during the parade, the ones not featured at Kartavya Path will have an opportunity to present their tableaux at Bharat Parv, a cultural exhibition organized at the Red Fort from January 26 to 31.

How preparations are underway

To ensure the highest quality and visual appeal of the tableaux, preparations have been in full swing since last year. A senior-level meeting was conducted in April 2024 to finalize the design and execution process. Authorities have emphasized the importance of using vibrant, easily comprehensible designs that convey their messages without the need for written explanations or logos, unless explicitly approved.

The tableaux will feature the names of the states and union territories in Hindi at the front, with English at the back, and regional languages on the sides. Ministries and departments will follow the same format, showcasing their names in both Hindi and English fonts. Virtual reality designs will also be included in some tableaux using CDs and DVDs to enrich the display.

As India gears up to celebrate Republic Day 2025, the tableaux will undoubtedly serve as a visual testament to the country’s diverse heritage, vibrant culture, and progressive path toward development.