Global pop sensation Shawn Mendes mesmerized music lovers with his electrifying performance at Lollapalooza India 2025, which took place in Mumbai on March 8. His high-energy show at the famed Mahalaxmi Racecourse served as a spectacular conclusion to the festival’s opening day, leaving the audience thoroughly captivated.

This two-day musical celebration, celebrated for its diverse array of both international and local talent, kicked off on a high note, with Mendes’ performance emerging as one of the key highlights. To add to the excitement, the singer showed his support for the Indian men’s cricket team ahead of their eagerly awaited ICC Men’s Champions Trophy final against New Zealand, endearing himself even further to his Indian fans.

Mendes ignited the stage around 8:30 PM, dressed in a casual T-shirt and pants. The crowd erupted in cheers when he surprised them by changing into the iconic blue jersey of the Indian cricket team, featuring ‘Virat’ and the number ‘18’ on the back—a heartfelt tribute to the cricketing legend. This gesture sparked waves of enthusiasm, prompting chants of “Kohli…Kohli…Kohli” from the audience, creating an electric atmosphere.

Recognizing the significance of the upcoming cricket match, Mendes addressed the crowd, saying, “India, I know you have a match tomorrow. Good luck. I hope it goes well,” which elicited thunderous applause. The much-anticipated ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 final between India and New Zealand is scheduled for Sunday at the Dubai International Stadium.

Mendes enthralled the crowd with a dynamic set, delivering some of his biggest hits like “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back,” “Treat You Better,” “Señorita,” “Why,” and “Do I Ever Cross Your Mind.” The audience sang along in unison, swaying to his soulful melodies, making it an unforgettable musical journey.

“Dher sara pyaar, Mumbai! (Lots of love, Mumbai!)” Shawn Mendes exclaimed to the massive crowd at Mahalaxmi Racecourse. A standout moment was a unique musical fusion, during which Mendes played the guitar alongside two Indian musicians—one on the tabla and the other on the sitar.

Celebrating his admiration for Indian culture, he expressed gratitude for the country’s rich musical heritage, stating, “No matter where I go, music is the one thing that unites (people) in a beautiful way. I’ve always had such love and admiration for India, India’s music, and its musicians here. One of the greatest, beautiful and magnificent cultures… It is amazing… I want to do something special for you guys tonight.”

Mendes maintained high energy throughout his performance, with dazzling fireworks lighting up the night sky at various intervals. He actively engaged the crowd, encouraging them to sing and clap along, making for an electrifying experience. As he wrapped up his show, he merrily said, “See you, namaste, bye-bye,” leaving the audience buzzing with excitement.

The opening day of Lollapalooza India 2025 was a spectacular musical event, featuring vibrant performances from renowned international acts like rock band Glass Animals, German DJ Zedd, and American musicians Cory Wong and Isabel LaRosa. Additionally, local talents such as Jonita Gandhi, Dot., Sahil Vasudeva, Frizzell D’Souza, Dhanji, and Spyryk added to the festival’s lively atmosphere, making it an unforgettable night.

Dubai’s extreme heat and spin-friendly pitch will significantly influence the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final, where India faces New Zealand at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. With temperatures around 32 degrees Celsius, captains will have a challenging decision at the toss, as teams have generally preferred chasing in the afternoon sun. However, with minimal dew reported so far, batting first might not be a disadvantage if a competitive total can be set.

Throughout the tournament, the Dubai pitch has favored spinners, aiding turn and complicating stroke-play as the ball wears down. The Powerplay has been an ideal time for batting, with the new ball providing good assistance. Yet, as the innings progress, batters must adapt to the surface’s sluggishness. The final is anticipated to exhibit similar patterns, making early aggression and middle-over consolidation essential for success.

Entering the match with an unbeaten record in the tournament, India is buoyed by their prior victory over New Zealand at the same venue last Sunday. However, New Zealand, led by Mitchell Santner, has historically posed challenges for India in ICC events, having won critical knockout matches in the past.

The Kiwis will draw confidence from their convincing semifinal win over South Africa, looking to turn the tables on India in this crucial encounter. India’s bowling attack will be bolstered by mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy, who excelled against New Zealand in their last meeting. The Blackcaps, having faced him previously, will be better equipped to handle his deceptive variations this time around.

Conversely, New Zealand will rely on Santner’s left-arm spin, which has previously troubled the Indian batting order and could be a significant threat to their middle order.

For India, the role of Rohit Sharma at the top of the order will be pivotal. After a spectacular inning against Bangladesh, the Indian captain struggled with consistency. A brisk start from Rohit could put New Zealand on the back foot against their well-rounded bowling unit. Meanwhile, Santner will aim to replicate his impactful performance from the semifinal to limit India’s aggressive batting lineup.

Ajay Devgn, the prominent Bollywood actor, unveiled his latest venture, Prismix. This innovative media company is centered around leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance generative storytelling technologies, which Devgn believes will redefine the way stories are told.

He expressed excitement about the potential of AI, stating, “With Prismix, we are stepping into the future of storytelling. AI is not just a tool, but a creative partner that can help filmmakers and brands bring their visions to life in ways never imagined before. Our goal is to revolutionize media by making high-quality, AI-driven content more accessible and scalable.”

In addition to his new role at Prismix, Devgn is preparing to direct the renowned actor Akshay Kumar, a project he announced during a recent media summit. As chairman of Prismix, he is joined by a talented team: his nephew Danish Devgn, who will serve as co-founder and chief business officer; the “Taarzan” actor Vatsal Sheth, who assumes the role of co-founder and chief executive officer; and Sahil Nayar, who will take on the position of co-founder and chief creative officer. Together, this dynamic group aims to blend creativity with advanced AI technology to produce groundbreaking media content.

Vatsal Sheth articulated the vision behind Prismix, emphasizing the desire to transform the entertainment landscape. “Our commitment lies in creating an ecosystem where storytelling meets efficiency, enabling stunning content production at scale,” he stated. This ambition reflects the broader goal of integrating technology into the media space, making it possible for creators to produce high-quality content more effectively.

Prismix is actively collaborating with various sectors, including mainstream media, education, and beyond, as part of its mission to shape the future of AI-driven content creation. This innovative approach positions Prismix at the forefront of the evolution in storytelling, seeking to empower filmmakers, brands, and content creators to harness AI for enhanced narrative experiences. The launch of Prismix is not just a new chapter for Ajay Devgn but a significant step in the integration of technology and creativity within the film and media industry, promising a future rich with possibilities.