Coolie Smashes Box Office Records
Rajinikanth’s latest film, Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, is tearing up the box office. Released on 14 August, it raked in ₹418 crore worldwide by day six, overtaking Kamal Haasan’s Vikram (₹414.43 crore). In India, it netted ₹216 crore, with ₹162.20 crore from overseas markets. Tamil Nadu led with ₹28-30 crore, followed by strong showings in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Despite clashing with War 2, Coolie is now Rajinikanth’s third-highest grosser, behind 2.0 and Jailer. However, it’s yet to topple Vijay’s Leo at ₹605.9 crore. Mixed reviews haven’t slowed its momentum, but weekday dips raise questions about its staying power. Will it sustain the hype? Only time will tell.
Delhi Schools Face Bomb Threat Scare
Delhi’s schools are on edge after five, including BGS International Public School, received bomb threats on Thursday—the third such incident this week. Over 30 schools were targeted Monday, and 50 more on Wednesday, all via emails from “Terrorizers 111.” The group demanded $2,000 in cryptocurrency, claiming to have planted C4 bombs and hacked school systems. Thankfully, all threats were hoaxes, but panic persists. Police and fire departments rushed to secure the schools, while investigations point to a coordinated effort. The emails, sent Tuesday night, threatened detonations within 48 hours if unpaid. Delhi’s parents and officials are rattled, demanding tighter security. These scares highlight the growing challenge of cyber threats targeting public spaces.
Khan Family Steals the Show at Bollywood Preview
The Khan family turned heads at the preview of The Ba*ds of Bollywood, a satirical show marking Aryan Khan’s directorial debut. Shah Rukh Khan and Aryan rocked sharp black suits, exuding suave charm. Gauri Khan and Suhana brought elegance—Suhana in a ₹1.97 lakh Dolce & Gabbana corset top and ₹1.77 lakh skirt, paired with Chanel and Cartier accessories. Shah Rukh’s silk jacket and minimalist style matched his son’s vibe, while Gauri’s chic look completed the quartet. Social media buzzed with their fashion statements, amplifying excitement for Aryan’s project. The event showcased the Khans’ star power and set high expectations for the show’s take on Bollywood’s quirks.
Starlink to Use Aadhaar for KYC in India
Elon Musk’s Starlink is gearing up to launch in India, and it’s tapping Aadhaar for user verification. The Unique Identification Authority of India announced Starlink’s registration as a Sub-Authentication User Agency, allowing Aadhaar-based KYC for telecom compliance. Starlink, which secured orbital slots and a satellite communication license, is still awaiting spectrum allocation and security clearances. UIDAI praised Aadhaar’s scalability, saying it’ll streamline onboarding for high-speed internet access. While Nepal and Sri Lanka already have Starlink, India’s rollout is delayed by regulatory hurdles. This move signals India’s growing digital infrastructure, but questions linger about when services will actually begin. Starlink’s entry could transform internet access for millions.
Parliament Targets Online Gaming with New Bill
India’s Parliament wrapped its Monsoon Session with a bold move: the Online Gaming Bill, 2025, passed in Lok Sabha and tabled in Rajya Sabha. It bans real-money online gaming to curb addiction, money laundering, and fraud, despite pushback from gaming companies. The government estimates 45 crore people lose ₹20,000 crore annually to these games, prioritising social welfare over revenue. The bill promotes e-sports and social gaming but cracks down on betting-based platforms. Opposition parties, meanwhile, demanded talks on Bihar’s electoral roll revisions, causing disruptions. Parliamentarians across the board voiced concerns about gaming’s societal toll. This legislation could reshape India’s digital entertainment landscape, but its impact on the industry remains a hot debate.
Cricket World Stunned by Ranking Mystery
Cricket fans are reeling after Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli vanished from the ICC ODI Men’s Batting Rankings on Wednesday. Previously ranked No. 2 and No. 4, the Indian stalwarts were absent from the top 100, sparking retirement rumours. The ICC later called it a glitch, restoring their spots, but the incident fueled speculation about their ODI futures. Both 38 and 36, respectively, Rohit and Kohli are now ODI-only players after retiring from Tests and T20Is. Their last outing was India’s Champions Trophy win, with Kohli scoring a century. Shubman Gill’s strong leadership in a recent Test series has raised questions about their roles in the 2027 World Cup. Fans are left wondering: was this just a tech error, or a sign of bigger changes?
Mumbai Bounces Back After Deadly Rains
Mumbai sighed in relief as schools and colleges reopened on 20 August after torrential rains paralysed the city. Public transport, including local trains, resumed normal operations, a stark contrast to Monday’s chaos, which flooded homes and triggered landslides across Maharashtra. The India Meteorological Department predicts lighter rain from Thursday. Tragically, the rains brought devastation: five family members died in Jalgaon after touching a live wire on a farm, and a 17-year-old in Mumbai’s Bhandup area was killed by a fallen cable. These electrocution incidents underscore the dangers of exposed wiring during monsoons. Mumbai’s resilience shines through, but the city’s grappling with infrastructure challenges as it recovers.
