🎬 Excel Entertainment teams up with Kanika Dhillon for a thriller

Excel Entertainment has partnered with screenwriter Kanika Dhillon to develop an intense new thriller film. This collaboration is happening across the banner's production pipeline, which is expanding significantly. The project is being developed after Kanika's previous work on 'Do Patti' and 'Gandhari'. The film is expected to explore themes of morality and societal issues with complex characters. Production is planned for the end of this year or early 2027.

🗣️ Marathi rule for cab drivers defended by minister

Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik stated that the state will take action against drivers lacking working knowledge of Marathi. This followed the state amending a law to mandate local language knowledge for cab and auto-rickshaw drivers in Maharashtra. The rules, effective from August 15, demand this proficiency, with non-compliance risking license suspension or cancellation. Drivers get one month notice to learn, but continued failure could lead to permanent license suspension. This move sparked political debate regarding language mandates in public transport. 🗣️

📢 Gen Z forces minister resignation, teachers face questions

Gen Z recently brought accountability back into the country's democratic life by forcing Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to resign. This action took place in India after a sustained public engagement movement. The movement forced change despite what some older generations deemed too shallow to matter. The discussion now shifts to whether the teaching community shared responsibility for the issues in education. Teachers are being challenged to address systemic failures like exam paper leaks and university crises.

👮 Delhi Police says force use was justified in July protest

Delhi Police has stated that the use of force during the July 20 protest was 'graded' and proportionate to the situation. This assertion was made by the police department in response to allegations of excessive force used during the demonstration. The incidents took place on July 20, and the police department addressed multiple complaints regarding the crowd control measures. The police maintained that their actions adhered to established protocols for managing large gatherings. Moving forward, they emphasized the commitment to maintaining order while respecting public assembly rights. 👮

🚀 Fronx hits major export milestone

The Maruti Suzuki Fronx has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the fastest Indian SUV to cross the 2 Lakh export mark. This achievement belongs to the Fronx, manufactured by Maruti Suzuki, across its global export operations. As of the latest reports, the vehicle has surpassed 200,000 units exported as of March 31, 2024. This success highlights the growing international demand for Indian-made automobiles. Moving forward, the company is expected to scale up its export strategies further. 🚀

🚢 Unknown projectile hits ship in Strait of Hormuz

A vessel was struck by an unknown projectile while navigating the Strait of Hormuz, leading to engine room damage and one crew casualty. The incident was reported to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) early on Tuesday. So far, no environmental impact has been reported regarding this event. Authorities are now investigating the strike to determine who or what was responsible. UKMTO has advised all vessels transiting the strait to proceed with caution. 🚢

😠 Karnataka CM clashes with TN CM over poaching row

Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar reacted strongly to Tamil Nadu's Vijay regarding the Chamarajanagar poaching row. Shivakumar asserted that no state should interfere with another state's administration, referencing the incident from August 15, 2026. Three men were killed by Karnataka forest officials in the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, and a magisterial inquiry was ordered. TN CM Vijay condemned the shootout as a 'brutal massacre,' rejecting the self-defence claim. Shivakumar insists states must handle their own issues, and the situation remains a major political flashpoint. 😠

😟 UC Berkeley prof flags major math gaps in students

A mathematics professor at UC Berkeley, Zvezdelina Stankova, has voiced concerns about students arriving with significant gaps in their math skills. She noted that some calculus students are five to eight years behind in foundational concepts like fractions and algebra. Before 2020, 71% of Calculus I students were deemed ready, compared to only 44% between 2021 and 2023. Stankova suggests changes in the university's admissions process may have contributed to this widening academic divide. The university's current test-blind policy is under scrutiny as the gap persists.

🐍 Snakes spotted at SRK's Mannat bungalow

Two snakes were reportedly sighted on the lawn of Shah Rukh Khan's famous Mumbai bungalow, Mannat. A rescue team was called to the Bandstand area in Mumbai on August 17 after the sighting. One snake, identified as an eight-foot long, non-venomous Dhaman, was safely rescued from under a ladder. However, the second snake managed to escape during the search operations that continued late into the evening. The staff were relieved because the rescued snake was not venomous. 🐍

🏏 Padikkal heads to Sri Lanka for 1st Test

Devdutt Padikkal has departed for the ongoing 1st Test match between India and Sri Lanka. He is traveling to Galle to join the Indian team for the contest. The match is currently on Day 4 of the series. This Test match is part of the ongoing bilateral series between the two nations. The team is set to continue competing in this cricket showdown. 🏏

🏛️ Godse and Savarkar were RSS members, says grandnephew

Satyaki Savarkar told a Pune court that his maternal grandfather Gopal Godse and Nathuram Godse were active members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. This statement was made during his cross-examination in a defamation trial against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Gopal Godse was Nathuram Godse's brother, who shot Gandhi in 1948, and Godse served 18 years in prison. The case started from a complaint filed by Satyaki Savarkar in April 2023 regarding remarks made by Rahul Gandhi in London. Satyaki Savarkar is now asking the Pune court to collect Rahul Gandhi's voice sample for comparison.