Since the launch of director Nag Ashwin’s ambitious project, Kalki 2898 AD, which captivated audiences during its spectacular 2024 release, excitement for a sequel has soared. In a delightful surprise for fans, Ashwin has announced that filming for the follow-up is set to commence in December this year.

During a recent media engagement celebrating the tenth anniversary of his debut film Yevade Subramanyam, Ashwin confirmed that work is underway for the highly anticipated second instalment of Kalki. He revealed that production will officially begin in December 2025.

In thrilling news for Prabhas fans, Ashwin noted that the sequel will provide a greater focus on Prabhas’s character compared to the first film, which primarily revolved around the stories of Deepika Padukone and Amitabh Bachchan’s characters. “The second part will feature more of Prabhas, concentrating on the contrasting arcs of the characters Karna and Ashwatthama,” Ashwin stated.

In a previous interview, Ashwin elaborated on the development of the film’s antagonist, Kamal Haasan’s character Yaskin, offering greater insight into his backstory and motivations. “We aimed to establish Yaskin as an enigmatic and shadowy figure. The audience should understand that Yaskin’s experiment has endowed him with superpowers, yet he has also unwittingly created his own adversary, triggering a chain of events. It’s a classic narrative of a villain giving rise to his own nemesis,” he explained.

Additionally, the upcoming sequel will introduce a new realm known as the ‘Flux Lands’, expanding the existing universe that includes Kasi, Complex, and Shambala.

In the first instalment, Prabhas played Bhairava, a bounty hunter in a dystopian Kashi, who is revealed to be the reincarnation of Karna. Amitabh Bachchan portrayed Ashwatthama, while Deepika Padukone played a woman believed to be carrying the final avatar of Lord Vishnu, known as Kalki. The film concluded with a thrilling cliffhanger, showcasing Haasan’s Yaskin growing in power.

With stunning cinematography by Djordje Stojiljkovic, a captivating score by Santhosh Narayanan, and editing by Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao, the film was brought to life with the production design of Nitin Zihani Choudhary. Produced by Vyjayanthi Movies, Kalki 2898 AD achieved remarkable success at the global box office, grossing over Rs. 1000 crores.

Rising talent Riyan Parag has been appointed captain of the Rajasthan Royals for the first three matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. This decision comes as the regular captain, Sanju Samson, is unable to keep wickets following a minor surgery on a fractured finger, sustained from a delivery by Jofra Archer during a T20I against England in Mumbai. While Samson has received clearance to bat, medical and sports science teams at the BCCI Centre of Excellence have advised him to allow more time for recovery before he resumes wicketkeeping duties.

As a result, Parag, who is just 23 years old, will step into the leadership role and join the ranks of the youngest IPL captains alongside notable figures like Virat Kohli. The Rajasthan Royals released a statement confirming Parag’s temporary captaincy: “Riyan Parag will lead the team for the initial three games of IPL 2025.” He will kick off his captaincy on March 23 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, followed by matches at home against the Kolkata Knight Riders on March 26 and the Chennai Super Kings on March 30.

Despite his absence from wicketkeeping duties, Samson remains an essential part of the squad and will contribute with the bat until he is cleared for full participation. Once he receives the green light from medical staff, he will return to his role as captain.

The decision to hand the captaincy to Parag was explained by the Royals’ management, emphasizing their confidence in his leadership skills. Parag has demonstrated considerable talent throughout his domestic career in Assam and has been a crucial member of the Royals setup over the years. His familiarity with the team’s dynamics makes him well-suited for this temporary role.

The IPL 2025 season is set to be exciting, with various teams positioned to make their mark. In a related announcement, Suryakumar Yadav is set to lead the Mumbai Indians in their opener against the Chennai Super Kings, adding further intrigue to the tournament as it unfolds. With Parag at the helm, the Rajasthan Royals will be looking to make a strong start in the upcoming season.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a cash prize of Rs 58 crore for Team India following their victory in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that each player in the winning squad will receive Rs 3 crore, while head coach Gautam Gambhir has been awarded Rs 3 crore.

Detailed reward breakdown

According to Saikia, the distribution of the cash prize is as follows:

• Rs 3 crore each for every player in the squad.
• Rs 3 crore for head coach Gautam Gambhir.
• Rs 50 lakh each for the assistant coaches, including Ryan Ten Doeschate, Abhishek Nayar, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, and bowling coach Morne Morkel.
• Rs 50 lakh each for the remaining support staff.
• Rs 25 lakh each for BCCI officials.

India’s dominant campaign in Champions Trophy 2025

Under the leadership of captain Rohit Sharma, India displayed a stellar performance in the tournament, securing four decisive victories before clinching the title against New Zealand in the final at Dubai on March 9.

India started their campaign with a six-wicket win over Bangladesh, followed by another six-wicket triumph against Pakistan. They then defeated New Zealand by 44 runs and outclassed Australia in the semi-finals by four wickets.

BCCI praises team’s achievement

BCCI President Roger Binny acknowledged the significance of back-to-back ICC titles, stating,
“Winning consecutive ICC trophies is a remarkable feat, and this reward recognizes the team’s commitment and excellence on the world stage. This is also India’s second ICC trophy in 2025 after the U19 Women’s World Cup, highlighting our robust cricketing ecosystem.”

Honorary Secretary Devajit Saikia commended the team’s performance, saying,
“This victory has reinforced India’s dominance in white-ball cricket. The dedication and strategic execution by players and support staff have set new benchmarks, ensuring that Indian cricket continues to shine globally.”

Vice-President Rajeev Shukla added,
“The team showed incredible composure under pressure, inspiring aspiring cricketers across the country. Their performance has further cemented India’s stature as a cricketing powerhouse.”

BCCI Treasurer Prabhtej Bhatia emphasized the board’s commitment to supporting Indian cricket, stating,
“This reward reflects our dedication to encouraging excellence. We will continue to provide the best resources and infrastructure to sustain India’s global cricket dominance.”

Honorary Joint Secretary Rohan Gauns Dessai remarked,
“Team India played exceptionally well throughout the tournament, bringing immense joy to fans. This success is a testament to the strong cricketing structure in place, and we will keep working to maintain India’s supremacy in world cricket.”

With this victory, India continues its remarkable white-ball streak, following their triumph in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. The cash reward by BCCI further cements the recognition of the team’s exceptional performance and commitment to excellence.