Shah Rukh Khan and the Knight Riders Group have marked a historic milestone in global cricket with the inauguration of the Knight Riders Cricket Ground, Los Angeles, which officially hosted its first-ever Major League Cricket (MLC) fixture. The venue welcomed the Los Angeles Knight Riders as they took on Washington Freedom, signalling a significant step in the expansion of cricket in the United States.

The newly built stadium is the first international cricket venue established by a global cricket franchise, reflecting the Knight Riders Group's long-term commitment to growing the sport through investment in world-class infrastructure.

Constructed to international standards, the Knight Riders Cricket Ground features eight wickets on the main square, ICC-standard playing dimensions and six floodlight towers standing 120 feet tall. More than 32,000 metric tonnes of earth were moved during construction to develop the venue into a world-class cricketing arena designed to offer an elite experience for both players and fans.

Speaking about the landmark achievement, Shah Rukh Khan, Co-owner of the Knight Riders Group, said, “What started as a dream has become a reality today. Bringing cricket, the second most-watched sport in the world, to Los Angeles is a landmark moment for all of us. Through this long-term partnership between Fairplex and Knight Riders, we are creating much more than a cricket venue. We are building a space that celebrates community, togetherness, energy and entertainment.

“It is a place built not just for sport, but also for entertainment, for families, and for memories that will last forever. We hope this becomes a home for cricket in Los Angeles and inspires generations of fans and players alike. This is for Los Angeles, for cricket fans across the globe, and for the Knight Riders family. Believe in Purple and Gold,” he added.

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Venky Mysore, CEO of Knight Riders Sports, also highlighted the significance of the project, saying, "The Knight Riders Cricket Ground, LA is much more than a stadium; it is a statement of intent for the future of cricket. Becoming the first global cricket brand to establish an international cricket stadium is a proud milestone for the Knight Riders Group and reflects our belief that the growth of the game must be supported by world-class infrastructure. We wanted to create a venue that players would love competing at, fans would cherish visiting, and the local community could proudly call its cricketing home."

Adding to the celebrations, NBA champion Ron Artest, popularly known as Metta World Peace, was invited to bowl the ceremonial first ball at the inaugural MLC match. His participation underscored the growing connection between cricket and mainstream American sports while highlighting the Knight Riders Group's efforts to integrate the game into Los Angeles' sporting culture.

The Knight Riders Cricket Ground will host Major League Cricket matches from July 1 to July 5, further strengthening cricket's expanding footprint in the United States and reinforcing the Knight Riders Group's vision of making the sport more accessible to new audiences across the globe.

Also Read: Farah Khan praises Shah Rukh Khan’s generosity towards his film crew: “He took 50 people to Dubai for Happy New Year premiere”

In a significant development in a long-running copyright dispute, the Delhi High Court has passed an interim order in favour of music label Saregama India Ltd., restraining legendary composer Ilaiyaraaja from broadcasting or communicating songs from 134 films until further orders.

The order was passed by Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, who observed that while Ilaiyaraaja continues to hold rights over his original musical compositions, those rights do not automatically extend to the sound recordings incorporated into cinematograph films. According to the court, the copyright in such sound recordings rests with the producer and, where assigned, with Saregama.

As per the court's observations, Ilaiyaraaja's rights under the Copyright Act are limited to the musical work itself, which refers to the composition independent of the lyrics and the sound recording. The court noted that these rights cannot be interpreted as ownership over the complete film soundtrack.

The dispute arose after Saregama claimed that it had acquired copyright ownership through assignment agreements signed with producers of several films between 1976 and 2001. The company argued that these agreements transferred the rights in the sound recordings, along with the underlying musical and literary works featured in those films.

Saregama further alleged that it recently discovered the songs being made available on multiple digital streaming platforms, including Amazon Music, Apple iTunes and JioSaavn, and claimed that Ilaiyaraaja had also asserted ownership over the content available on these services.

While considering the matter, the High Court observed that there was no dispute regarding the broadcasting of songs forming part of the films listed in the suit. The court stated that, on a prima facie basis, such use appeared to amount to copyright infringement in relation to the disputed sound recordings.

The interim order applies to 134 films spanning several decades of Ilaiyaraaja's celebrated career. Among the notable titles covered are Annakkili (1976), 16 Vayathiniley (1977), Mullum Malarum (1978), Netrikkann (1981) and Raaja Paarvai (1981).

The matter will now proceed before the Delhi High Court, where the copyright claims of both parties will be examined further before a final decision is reached.

Also Read: Ilayaraja sends legal notice to makers of Good Bad Ugly over alleged unauthorised use of iconic songs

After emerging as one of the biggest theatrical successes in Hindi cinema, Dhurandhar is now set to continue its global journey. The Ranveer Singh-starrer will release in theatres across Japan on July 10, 2026, marking another milestone in the film's successful international run.

Ahead of the release, Ranveer Singh recorded a special video message for Japanese audiences, inviting them to experience the action-packed entertainer on the big screen. Calling Dhurandhar an immersive cinematic spectacle, the actor highlighted the film's blend of drama, intensity, scale and emotion while expressing his excitement about the movie reaching a new audience.

The Japan release comes months after the film enjoyed a phenomenal worldwide run following its theatrical release in India on December 5, 2025. Backed by strong box office numbers and positive audience response, Dhurandhar went on to establish itself as one of the biggest commercial successes in recent Hindi cinema.

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Written, directed and produced by Aditya Dhar, the spy action thriller is also produced by Jyoti Deshpande and Lokesh Dhar. Presented by Jio Studios and produced under the banner of B62 Studios, the film has been mounted on a large scale and has been praised for its action sequences, emotional storytelling and high production values.

Featuring an ensemble cast, Dhurandhar stars Ranveer Singh in the lead alongside Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan, Sara Arjun, Rakesh Bedi, Gaurav Gera and Danish Pandor in pivotal roles. The film follows the journey of an undercover Indian intelligence agent who infiltrates Karachi's criminal syndicates and Pakistani political circles while pursuing a mission linked to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Loosely inspired by true events, the story blends espionage, action and emotion against the backdrop of high-stakes national security operations.

With its July 10 release, the makers are aiming to introduce the film's larger-than-life cinematic experience to audiences in Japan, further extending the international reach of one of Hindi cinema's biggest blockbusters.

Also Read: Rakesh Bedi showers praise on Ranveer Singh: “Ranveer mein ek bahot khaas quality hai”

The makers of The Pride of Bharat: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj have announced a key creative change, with National Award-winning composer Amit Trivedi coming on board to compose the music for the upcoming historical film. The development follows composer Pritam's recent announcement that he is taking a break from mainstream films.

Directed by Sandeep Singh, the two-part historical saga stars Rishab Shetty in the role of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. With Amit Trivedi now joining the project, lyricist Prasoon Joshi, who has been associated with the film since its early stages, will continue to write the songs.

According to sources close to the development, the makers decided to bring Amit Trivedi on board after Pritam stepped away from the project following his decision to take a break from commercial cinema. The film also marks a first for Trivedi, as it will be his first Hindi historical feature based on the life and legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

A source close to the production said, “The team firmly believes Amit Trivedi is the perfect creative force to bring this epic to life musically. His ability to blend powerful orchestration with deeply rooted Indian melodies, combined with Prasoon Joshi’s powerful writing, makes for an exceptional creative partnership. The music has to reflect the courage, vision, emotion and legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and we are confident this soundtrack will become one of the defining highlights of the film.”

The film is being planned as a two-part cinematic project and features Rishab Shetty in the lead role, alongside Arjun Rampal, Vivek Oberoi and an ensemble cast. The makers have mounted the project on a large scale, with production expected to begin later this year.

While plot details have largely been kept under wraps, the film is expected to chronicle the life and legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The addition of Amit Trivedi and the continuation of Prasoon Joshi's association complete an important part of the film's creative team ahead of the commencement of production.

The announcement comes shortly after Pritam informed fans that he would be taking a break from mainstream films, prompting changes to his upcoming commitments. With Amit Trivedi now taking over music duties, The Pride of Bharat: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj moves forward with a revised musical team as preparations continue for its shoot later this year.

Also Read: Rishab Shetty’s film on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj expands into two-part saga with over Rs. 500 crores budget: Report

Actor and Bigg Boss 19 winner Gaurav Khanna has finally reacted to the ongoing speculation surrounding his personal life after his wife, Akanksha Chamola, made a startling revelation on the stage of Lock Upp Season 2. Before entering the reality show's prison, Akanksha claimed that she and Gaurav have been living separately for over a year and are currently in the process of getting divorced, leaving fans surprised.

Amid the buzz surrounding their relationship, Gaurav has chosen to focus on extending his support to Akanksha and her participation in the reality show. The actor was recently spotted outside the sets of the comedy-cooking reality show Laughter Chefs, where paparazzi asked him about how he has been coping with the ongoing attention around his personal life. Responding to the questions, Gaurav said, “Bas yaar, wahi yaar jo pehle tha wahi haal hai abhi bhi. Pyaar abhi bhi utna hai, support abhi bhi utna hai… Main toh humesha support karunga Akanksha ko, meri biwi hai yaar. Pyaar kiya toh piche kyu hatu?(I'm the same as I was before. The love is still the same, and the support is still the same. I will always support Akanksha; she's my wife. If I've loved her, why would I step back now?)”

When a paparazzo further remarked, “Bhai lekin controversy bahut jyada hogayi hai (Brother, but the controversy has become too big),” Gaurav maintained his stance and replied, “All the very best to Akanksha for life. Main humesha uske sath khada hu aur usko support kar raha hu. Vo acha khele aur jeet ke aaye (I will always stand by her and support her. I hope she plays well and returns as the winner).”

Gaurav's comments come shortly after Akanksha's revelation on Lock Upp Season 2, where she stated that the couple has been living separately for more than a year and is heading towards a divorce after nearly a decade of marriage. Her statement quickly became a major talking point on social media, with fans expressing shock over the development.

The revelation has also led many to revisit the timeline of their relationship, particularly questioning whether the couple was already facing difficulties when Gaurav was inside the Bigg Boss house last year. Adding to the speculation, several social media users pointed out that despite Akanksha's claims of separation, the couple had shared multiple affectionate photos and videos together during the first few months of 2026. Their posts included romantic moments, playful proposal-themed videos, love confessions and kisses, prompting many to wonder whether the contrasting narratives were part of a publicity strategy or simply reflected a more complex personal situation.

While speculation around their relationship continues online, Gaurav Khanna has made it clear that he intends to support Akanksha publicly, wishing her well for her journey on Lock Upp Season 2 and reiterating that his support for her remains unchanged.

Also Read: Gaurav Khanna clarifies Bigg Boss 19 prize money confusion; says old vlog comment was ‘blown out of proportion’

Ranveer Singh's much-anticipated film Pralay is reportedly gearing up to begin production later than initially expected. While an earlier report published in May suggested that the actor would start shooting for the film in August 2026, a fresh update now claims that the project will go on floors in September, with a major portion of the shoot scheduled to take place in Australia.

Directed by Jai Mehta, Pralay is expected to be one of Ranveer Singh's most ambitious projects to date, introducing audiences to a large-scale post-apocalyptic zombie thriller set in a dystopian version of Mumbai. Ranveer Singh reportedly begins preparations According to a report by Pinkvilla, Ranveer Singh has already started preparing for the physically and emotionally demanding role. The actor is said to be undergoing extensive training ahead of the film's production.

A source told the entertainment portal, "Ranveer will start shooting for the Jai Mehta directorial in the second half of 2026. The shoot is planned in Australia, and he has already kick-started prep. This is a film that requires intense physical and emotional preparation, given the scale and genre."

The report suggests that the actor has been actively involved in the development process as the makers continue refining the project before cameras begin rolling. Pre-production underway in Australia The report further states that pre-production is currently underway in Australia, where director Jai Mehta and his team are collaborating with technicians who have previously worked on international productions. The makers are reportedly focusing on creating the film's expansive post-apocalyptic setting, with visual effects expected to play a major role in bringing the zombie world to life.

In addition to the technical preparations, the writing team is said to be fine-tuning the screenplay while continuing to develop the film's larger zombie universe. A survival story set in dystopian Mumbai As per reports, Pralay is set in a dystopian version of Mumbai and revolves around a married couple fighting to survive during a zombie outbreak. The film is expected to offer a fresh take on the zombie genre in Indian cinema, blending large-scale action with emotional storytelling.

The female lead, however, has not yet been officially announced. Earlier reports had suggested that actress Kalyani Priyadarshan, daughter of filmmaker Priyadarshan, could make her Bollywood debut opposite Ranveer Singh in the film. However, the makers are yet to confirm the casting.

Also Read: Ranveer Singh’s Pralay to begin filming in August amid FWICE non-cooperation directive: Report

Filmmaker Priyadarshan has confirmed that he is not associated with Hera Pheri 3, shortly after producer Firoz Nadiadwala clarified that the veteran director is not involved in the much-awaited comedy sequel. While Nadiadwala maintained that the project is progressing in the right direction, Priyadarshan offered a more cautious outlook, stating that the film's future remains uncertain due to legal and personal issues.

Firoz Nadiadwala says Priyadarshan is not part of the film During an interview with Variety India, producer Firoz Nadiadwala was asked about Priyadarshan's reported association with Hera Pheri 3. Dismissing the speculation, he said, "No, Priyadarshan is not part of it." Sharing an update on the film's progress, the producer added, "Things are on track and moving in the right direction."

Hera Pheri 3 has witnessed several delays and changes in direction over the years, leading to frequent speculation surrounding its development. While Nadiadwala's remarks suggest that the project is moving ahead, the makers are yet to announce details regarding the shooting schedule or release date. Priyadarshan confirms his exit Reacting to Nadiadwala's statement, Priyadarshan confirmed that he is currently not involved with the film. Speaking to Hindustan Times, the filmmaker said, "What Feroze has said, is true. I am not associated with Hera Pheri 3 at the present."

He further expressed doubts about whether the film would eventually be made. "To the best of my knowledge, Hera Pheri 3 will never hit the screen due to lots of legal issues and personal conflicts. Whether I am involved or not is unimportant," Priyadarshan said.

The Hera Pheri franchise has undergone several creative shifts over the years. The original Hera Pheri, released in 2000, was directed by Priyadarshan and went on to become one of Hindi cinema's most loved comedy films. Its sequel, Phir Hera Pheri (2006), was directed by the late Neeraj Vora.

In 2018, filmmaker Indra Kumar was officially announced as the director of Hera Pheri 3. However, he later exited the project. This was followed by reports suggesting that Priyadarshan would return to direct the third instalment, sparking excitement among fans of the franchise.

Also Read: Firoz Nadiadwala confirms Hera Pheri 3 is happening ‘very soon’; opens up about Welcome To The Jungle, “We can guarantee effort, not result”