Aamir Khan’s ‘Sitare Zameen Par’ opens to mixed audience response amid box office uncertainty
Aamir Khan’s new film Sitare Zameen Par premiered on 20 June, drawing a wave of audience reaction that ranges from praise to critique. The film follows a suspended basketball coach working with differently‑abled athletes, and has already sparked strong emotional responses actor Darsheel Safary described feeling “fuller, softer and happier” upon watching it.
Advance bookings were notably slow overseas, leading to concern over its opening efforts. Box office reports show the film earned around ₹11.7 crore in its first two days less than expected and only marginally outperforming Laal Singh Chaddha.
Early social media commentary varies sharply. Some reviewers praised the film’s heartfelt narrative “if you liked Chhichhore and 3 Idiots, this one’s for you” while others labelled it “boring” with “forced emotions”.
The film’s theatrical‑only release strategy, endorsed by Prosenjit Chatterjee, aims to revitalize cinema attendance. With word‑of‑mouth playing a pivotal role, its weekend potential remains uncertain.
Operation Sindhu expands: India to evacuate Nepalese and Sri Lankan citizens from Iran
India has announced that Operation Sindhu, initially launched to rescue nationals from conflict-afflicted Iran, will now also evacuate Nepalese and Sri Lankan citizens. The move follows formal requests from Kathmandu and Colombo, with the Indian Embassy in Tehran confirming support for regional neighbours.
Since its commencement on 18 June, Operation Sindhu has successfully repatriated 517 Indian nationals, as confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on 21 June. In a significant diplomatic gesture, Iran granted permission to expand airspace access for the evacuation missions. Three charter flights have been deployed, with the latest flight arriving in Delhi from Ashgabat at 03:00 hrs on 21 June.
The MEA has also set up a 24×7 emergency helpline in Tehran and a control room in New Delhi to assist evacuees. With nearly 4,000 Indians still in Iran, mostly students, the government continues to facilitate safe passage amid escalating regional tensions.
‘World going through unrest… Yoga gives direction of peace’: PM Modi leads celebrations
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the 11th International Day of Yoga event in Visakhapatnam on 21 June, highlighting the theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health”. With over 300,000 participants along a 26 km coastal corridor, he described yoga as a “pause button” for a turbulent world.
Modi noted that yoga transcends boundaries celebrated in space, villages, and even on Navy ships. More than 2 crore people took part in nationwide sessions at over 1 lakh sites, including a mass synchronized effort known as Yoga Sangam.
He appealed for “Yoga for Humanity 2.0”, urging global policy to embrace inner peace. Local leaders from Andhra Pradesh, including CM Chandrababu Naidu, echoed his sentiments, pointing to yoga’s role in stress reduction and cultural unity.
Tesla opens first Indian showroom in Mumbai this July
Tesla is set to open its first showroom in Mumbai in July 2025, marking its official entry into India’s automotive market, the third-largest globally. The showroom will be located in Maker Maxity, Bandra Kurla Complex, spanning approximately 4,000 sq ft, with a reported monthly rent of around ₹35 lakh under a five-year lease. A second outlet is expected to follow in New Delhi.
Tesla has already imported China-made Model Y rear-wheel-drive SUVs, with five units delivered earlier this month. While import taxes have pushed costs up, the Model Y is expected to be priced at over US $56,000 in India substantially higher than its US base price.
The company is also investing in infrastructure. Imports include Supercharger units, spare parts and accessories, and Tesla is hiring for retail and service roles in Mumbai, Pune, Karnataka and Gurugram.
With global sales slowing in Europe and China, this strategic move aims to establish Tesla in a price-sensitive yet expanding EV market.
Rishabh Pant fastest Asian wicketkeeper to reach 3,000 Test runs at Headingley
India’s wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant etched a record on Day 1 of the Headingley Test against England on 20 June, becoming the fastest Indian and second-fastest Asian wicketkeeper to cross the 3,000‑run milestone in Test cricket.
Pant reached the mark during the third session, combining aggression and composure to stabilize India’s innings. He remained unbeaten on 65 at stumps as India closed on 359 for 3, following a dominant batting display from openers Yashasvi Jaiswal (101) and Shubman Gill (127*).
The performance also elevated Pant past legends MS Dhoni and Kumar Sangakkara in terms of rapid Test runs by an Asian wicketkeeper. A lively stump‑mic moment revealed Pant cheering his captain: “Gilly, ball ban gaya hai,” reflecting the upbeat mindset in the middle.
With this milestone, Pant reinforces his role as vice-captain and key contributor in India’s new era under Shubman Gill’s leadership.
