BREAKING NEWS
KP CM Sohail Afridi rejects governor’s rule threats • Nadia Khan faces criticism after questioning Preshay Adnan over gym attire • OpenAI scraps new AI model launch over safety concerns • Men face higher cancer rates than women, study finds • Pakistan earn first point in FIFA ASEAN Cup after 2-2 draw with Philippines • Tax return filing deadline tomorrow as late-filer category set to end • Floods and heavy rains kill 23 in Thailand • Ahsan Bhoon sends Rs5b defamation notice to Capt (R) Safdar • Salman Khan speaks out against AI-generated deepfake videos • Insomnia linked to 26% higher stroke risk, study finds • Google Chrome introduces feature to preserve tab position across devices • Four militants killed in security operation in DI Khan • Clashes erupt over partial demolition of 600-year-old Ujjain mosque in India • Pakistan thrash Oman 7-2, set up Asian Games semifinal against India • Pakistan plans $500mn ADB loan for pension reforms
Advertise with us >

Indian singer

Indian Singer Ankit Baliyan shot dead in Uttar Pradesh

by
Indian Singer

NEW DELHI: Haryanvi singer and YouTuber Ankit Baliyan was shot dead by unidentified armed assailants outside a gym in India’s Uttar Pradesh state, Indian media reported Thursday.

According to reports, Baliyan was leaving a gym in the Kotwali police station area of Shamli district on Wednesday evening when attackers riding two motorcycles opened fire on him multiple times.

Baliyan died at the scene from his injuries, police said.

Authorities sent his body for a post-mortem examination and launched an investigation into the killing. Police are reviewing CCTV footage from the area to identify the attackers and determine the motive behind the shooting.

Political angle being examined

Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister described the killing as an attack on the Jat community, according to Indian media reports.

There has also been speculation that Baliyan was planning to contest upcoming local panchayat elections. However, neither his relatives nor police officials have publicly confirmed the reports.

Baliyan had large YouTube following

Baliyan had more than 366,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel, where he was known for his Haryanvi music and videos.

Police have not yet announced any arrests in connection with the killing.

Arijit Singh returns to playback singing with track for ‘Awarapan 2’

by
Arijit Singh

MUMBAI: Indian singer Arijit Singh has returned to playback singing after announcing his retirement from the genre earlier this year, according to Indian media reports.

Singh’s comeback comes with the first song from the upcoming film “Awarapan 2,” reuniting him with producer Vishesh Bhatt, with whom he has previously delivered several hit tracks.

The song, titled “Yeh Awarapan,” has been composed by Amaal Mallik and was scheduled for release on streaming platforms on July 21.

Reports said Bhatt wanted the song to capture the emotional journey of Emraan Hashmi’s character, Shivam Pandit, believing Singh’s voice was the ideal fit for the track.

Earlier this year, Singh surprised fans by announcing on Instagram that he was stepping away from playback singing, prompting widespread disappointment among his followers. His latest collaboration marks his return to Bollywood playback music.

Diljit Dosanjh took nominal fee for ‘Sutlej,’ director reveals

by
Diljit Dosanjh

MUMBAI: Indian singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh did not charge his usual acting fee for the historical drama Sutlej, according to the film’s director, who said the star accepted only a nominal payment to fulfill contractual requirements.

In a previously recorded interview that has resurfaced on social media, director Honey Trehan said Dosanjh was deeply committed to portraying Sikh human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra and viewed the role as a responsibility rather than a commercial project.

Trehan said the film’s limited budget would not have allowed the production to hire Dosanjh at his standard market rate. According to the director, the actor never asked for payment and accepted only a token amount because a formal contract required compensation.

The director also said Dosanjh had long wanted to make a film about Khalra’s life. Trehan told him he had already completed research on the subject and secured the rights from Khalra’s family, after which the actor immediately agreed to take on the role.

Sutlej, released on July 3, is based on the alleged 1995 abduction and subsequent events involving Khalra. The film was removed from the streaming platform ZEE5 two days after its release, prompting discussion online, though no official explanation for its removal has been announced.

Badshah’s Chandigarh restaurant ‘Club Sago’ sealed over regulatory violations

by
Badshah’s Chandigarh

CHANDIGARH:  A restaurant owned by Indian singer and rapper Badshah has been sealed by Chandigarh authorities following multiple alleged violations, officials said.

According to Indian media reports, the administration took action against the restaurant Club Sago during an ongoing crackdown on commercial establishments failing to comply with regulatory requirements.

Authorities said inspections revealed several violations, including unauthorized construction of partitions, cabins, washrooms, kitchen areas and cold storage facilities.

Officials further noted that courtyards had been illegally covered using light steel structures and sheets, in breach of approved building norms.

Despite repeated warnings and opportunities to comply with regulations, the establishment failed to meet required standards, prompting authorities to seal the restaurant, officials added.