A troubling event has prompted an FIR (First Information Report) against a group of fans of actor Balakrishna, who beheaded a goat in a ritualistic celebration for the release of his upcoming film, Daaku Maharaaj. This incident occurred outside the Pratap movie theatre in Tata Nagar, Tirupati, where a group of men performed the act publicly in a misguided display of enthusiasm for the film.

PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) India lodged a complaint, which resulted in the Tirupati police registering an FIR against five individuals associated with the goat sacrifice. A video of the disturbing incident, which went viral after the film’s release, showed Balakrishna’s fans beheading a conscious and terrified goat with a machete at the Pratap Theatre, subsequently smearing the blood on a movie poster while cheering.

Authorities were alerted after multiple witnesses reported the act, triggering outrage among animal rights organizations. The police filed the FIR under various sections, including 325 and 270 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, sections 4 & 5 of the Andhra Pradesh Animals and Birds Sacrifices (Prohibition) Act, 1950, and sections 3 and 11(1)(a) and 11(1)(l) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, addressing charges of animal cruelty and public disturbance.

Saloni Sakaria, the Cruelty Response Coordinator for PETA India, stated that killing an animal and using its blood for a celebration does not signify being a super fan; rather, it constitutes villainy and criminal behaviour. She emphasized that true fans honor their idols through respectful means such as movie tickets and positive social media support, not through violence.

Actor Vedhika expressed her dismay on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “This is horrific!!! Stop!!! My heart bleeds for the poor innocent child. No one deserves this…so much torture and trauma!! How on earth can you harm an innocent, voiceless being? This should never happen to any other being ever. I pray for this poor child’s soul. Rest in God’s arms, sweet child. Sorry we failed you. I hope no more animals will be sacrificed in the name of fandom. No one is going to appreciate this kind of violence, so please stop!!!!!”

This incident is not an isolated case, as Nandamuri family fans have demonstrated similar behavior in the past. Notably, during the release of Jr NTR’s film Devara: Part 1 in September last year, a similar video circulated online.

John Abraham has unveiled the first look of his upcoming political drama, The Diplomat. The poster showcases him in a stylish dark suit, presenting a serious expression that reflects his role as a high-ranking government official. The film is inspired by a real-life incident that had a profound impact on the nation.

John took to social media to share the poster, accompanied by the caption, “Honored to bring this story of courage and diplomacy to life. See you in theatres on March 7th!” The film is being produced by an impressive array of companies, including T-Series (led by Bhushan Kumar and Krishan Kumar), JA Entertainment (founded by John Abraham), alongside Wakaoo Films and Fortune Pictures.

The Diplomat draws inspiration from a real-life story that had a profound impact on the nation, offering a captivating narrative centered around themes of power and patriotism. As he portrays a high-ranking government official, John will lead audiences through a thrilling journey brimming with intense drama and adrenaline-pumping moments.

In his recent projects, John was last featured in Vedaa, where he played the title character in an action drama directed by Nikkhil Advani and written by Aseem Arora. This film, which is based on true events, highlights the story of a young woman fighting against a repressive system, featuring a supporting cast that includes Sharvari, Abhishek Banerjee, and Ashish Vidyarthi.

In addition to The Diplomat, John also has Tehran in the works, directed by Arun Gopalan, where he will star alongside Manushi Chhillar in a geo-political narrative. The Diplomat is directed by the renowned Shivam Nair and penned by Ritesh Shah, promising to deliver a compelling cinematic experience.

“Azaad,” a film that hit the theatre today, serves as the debut platform for Rasha Thadani, daughter of actor Raveena Tandon and Anil Thadani, alongside Aaman Devgan, the nephew of Ajay Devgn.

The story begins with Govind (Aaman) captivated by the dacoit Vikram Singh’s (Ajay Devgn) majestic black horse, Azaad, who is fiercely loyal to its owner. Amid this, Govind encounters Janaki (Rasha), the daughter of the landlord Rai Bahadur (Piyush Mishra). A parallel storyline features Tej Bahadur (Mohit Malik), Janaki’s brother, and Kesar (Diana Penty). The convergence of their lives unfolds against the backdrop of pre-Independence India.

As the film progresses, “Azaad” feels excessively self-indulgent, particularly in its pacing and musical interludes. It appears that director Abhishek Kapoor, known for offering a compelling debut for Sara Ali Khan in “Kedarnath,” began filming and neglected to expedite the narrative. By the time the movie reaches its conclusion, viewers may feel a sense of time stretching.

The screenplay is credited to Ritesh Shah, Suresh Nair, and Kapoor himself, leading to the question of how three individuals could arrive at this outcome. The editing by Chandan Arora also raises eyebrows—what exactly was refined?

Throughout the film, Azaad, the horse, manages to resonate emotionally with the audience. The sequences showcasing him highlight captivating on-screen performances, and he, unexpectedly, seems to steal the spotlight without uttering a single word. While Kapoor’s direction shines in certain moments involving the horse, these instances are regrettably limited.

Regarding their debut performances, both Rasha and Aaman exhibit raw talent, indicating room for improvement. Rasha, at just 19, displays a commendable screen presence but should focus on enhancing her emotional portrayals. Aaman shows promise in dance and action but could benefit from further honing his acting skills.

Mohit Malik, transitioning from television to film with “Azaad,” aligns well with his role, while Diana Penty’s subplot feels superficial. Ajay Devgn appears to have shot his scenes in a manner reminiscent of his work in SS Rajamouli’s “RRR,” suggesting an overlap in filming schedules.

With high hopes for the music, given Amit Trivedi’s involvement, the soundtrack disappoints overall. Aside from “Uui Amma,” which gained viral attention and elicited mixed responses, the remaining musical aspects fall short, which is disheartening.

In summary, “Azaad” fails to present anything fresh, primarily showcasing two new actors. The film suffers from a slow and loose screenplay, saturated with clichés, and it lacks the vitality one would expect from a story centered around a horse.