😠 Neha Bhasin slams Bhumi Pednekar over NEET protest comments

Singer Neha Bhasin criticized actor Bhumi Pednekar for her remarks regarding the NEET-UG 2026 protests, calling her stance 'scripted'. This came after Bhumi spoke out against abusive language directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). Bhasin pointed out that the discussion should have included police excesses against student protesters, referencing events from July 20. She explicitly stated that Bhumi's comments were scripted, urging her to stay silent if she lacked courage. This controversy arises as protests continue for broader education system reforms despite Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation on July 25. 😠

🔥 Deepika Padukone's intense prep for Ram-Leela

Acting coach Jayati Bhatia shared an intense workshop exercise with Deepika Padukone before 'Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela'. Bhatia instructed Deepika to abuse a street vendor from a balcony overlooking a bhel stall. Deepika then unleashed fifty abuses, showcasing incredible fearlessness during this session. The workshop, originally planned for seven days, was completed in just four days due to her dedication. Deepika Padukone is set to star in 'King' and 'Raaka' next. 🎬

🎬 Harshad Chopda on leaving Lock Upp 2

Harshad Chopda revealed why he sacrificed his spot in the Lock Upp finale to help Shivangi Joshi. The actor was the first finalist on the reality show Lock Upp Sach Ya Sazaa. This happened in the last episode, and he chose his own eviction despite others' advice. He admitted he didn't want to show his emotional side during the show. Moving forward, he shared personal struggles like childhood sexual harassment. 😥

📱 Big tech deals dropping this Independence Day

Two major tech sales, OnePlus' and Flipkart's Freedom Sale, are arriving soon for gadget lovers. OnePlus' sale kicks off on August 7, while Flipkart's Freedom Sale starts on August 8 with early access for certain members. Flipkart is offering big discounts on the iPhone 17 Pro, bringing the effective price down to around ₹1,21,900. Meanwhile, OnePlus is discounting devices like the OnePlus 15, bringing its price to ₹81,999. Shoppers should watch both sales closely as these deals are usually for a limited time. 📱

🎬 Suriya on 'Karuppu' financial stress

Actor Suriya shared the intense financial crisis faced before his movie 'Karuppu' hit theatres. This happened when unexpected issues created immense pressure right before the film's release. He took out extra loans due to a last-minute financial burden, which was scheduled for May 14, 2026. His wife, Jyothika, supported him by trusting him to take those risks. Now, Suriya is preparing for his next film, 'Vishwanath and Sons', coming on August 14, 2026.

📈 New investment funds are shaking up HNI market

Specialized Investment Funds (SIFs) have dramatically disrupted India's HNI investment scene due to their favorable tax structures. This shift is putting pressure on existing Portfolio Management Services (PMS) and Category III AIF providers across the market. SIF assets have soared almost ninefold to ₹17,857.77 crore since their launch in October 2025. The tax difference is key, as SIFs offer better post-tax returns compared to traditional AIFs. Consequently, fund managers are rethinking their offerings to stay relevant in this changing landscape. 📈

💧 RSS's Water Push, Big Dump, and Mid-Air Scare

The RSS initiated a significant push focused on providing drinking water infrastructure. This massive initiative involved the dumping of 4000 crore liters of drinking water. The event reportedly took place recently, though specific dates are not detailed in the provided snippet. This effort is part of the organization's broader community development goals. Further updates on the project's timeline are anticipated soon. 💧

📈 Market moves ahead of RBI decision

Asian stock markets rose on Wednesday, influenced by hopes of a US-Iran deal potentially reopening the Strait of Hormuz. On Wednesday, gold prices showed minor monthly decline but yearly gains, while Brent crude edged up to $79.78 per barrel. The RBI is expected to keep the repo rate at 5.25% amid ongoing inflation concerns. US stocks rallied strongly on Tuesday as talks improved and earnings were positive. Traders are watching for how fuel costs might affect broader price levels moving forward.

✨ Horoscope vibes for August 5, 2026

Pisces needs to reignite their spark and curiosity after holding back many things. Aries is encouraged to build their life with self-trust and focus on strengths. Gemini should accept self-care instead of waiting for external apologies to arrive. Cancer is advised to simplify life while manifesting dreams ethically for everyone involved. Leo must balance their love for freedom with acknowledging the needs of others.

♟️ Father quit job to back chess dream

Savitha Shri will represent India at the Women's Chess Olympiad, replacing Harika Dronavalli in the 2026 Samarkand edition. Her father, Baskar, quit his job in Singapore and pawned gold jewellery to fund her journey. Savitha, 19, previously won silver at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou. Despite financial hurdles, including a tough 2022-23 period, she qualified for government support this April. Baskar remains committed to seeing her become a professional chess player. ♟️

🏚️ Chennai's historic Beach House demolished for new auditorium

The colonial-style Beach House at Queen Mary's College in Chennai was recently demolished to make way for a planned world-class auditorium. This bungalow, built in the late 1800s, was the former residence of Sir S. Subramania Iyer. He was a pivotal figure in Indian law, serving as the first Indian Chief Justice of the High Court. The demolition highlights the loss of intangible history despite official heritage lists. This sacrifice follows previous campus issues, including the collapse of Capper House. 😔