To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the iconic Bollywood film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ), a bronze statue of Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol will be unveiled at London's Leicester Square. This marks the first long-term Bollywood statue in the UK, celebrating the film's enduring global appeal. The statue will depict the scene where Raj and Simran first cross paths in Leicester Square, featuring the Vue and Odeon cinemas. This tribute coincides with Yash Raj Films' 50th anniversary, highlighting DDLJ's significant impact on Indian cinema. Organizers hope Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol will attend the unveiling, honoring a film that has become a cultural landmark. (PC: Vogue India & Urban Asian)

Pop star Katy Perry will fly 65 miles above Earth aboard Blue Origin’s NS-31 mission on April 14, says the White House, hailing the all-female crew as “inspirational.” Organized by Lauren Sanchez, wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, the mission includes Perry, rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, researcher Amanda Nguyen, TV host Gayle King, and producer Kerianne Flynn. Though not entering deep space, they’ll cross the Kármán line in an 11-minute flight. Perry, excited to show her daughter “science can be glam,” says she’s dreamed of space travel for 20 years. Ticket prices reportedly range from £157,000 to £235,000. (PC: Getty Images)

Pop star Katy Perry will fly 65 miles above Earth aboard Blue Origin’s NS-31 mission on April 14, says the White House, hailing the all-female crew as “inspirational.” Organized by Lauren Sanchez, wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, the mission includes Perry, rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, researcher Amanda Nguyen, TV host Gayle King, and producer Kerianne Flynn. Though not entering deep space, they’ll cross the Kármán line in an 11-minute flight. Perry, excited to show her daughter “science can be glam,” says she’s dreamed of space travel for 20 years. Ticket prices reportedly range from £157,000 to £235,000. (PC: Getty Images)

Salman Khan’s film Sikandar is struggling at the box office despite crossing ₹187 crore worldwide in its first week. The film had a slow start, earning ₹26 crore on its opening day, much lower than Salman’s previous Eid releases. Trade experts say that while the film will recover costs through digital and satellite rights, its theatrical performance is below expectations. “It’s not a flop, but it’s not a big hit either,” said an industry insider. Sikandar now faces low weekday occupancy, but with no major competition, it remains a top choice for exhibitors.

During a recent event in Atlanta, Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan captivated attendees by singing the classic "Tere Jaisa Yaar Kahan." This heartfelt performance left fans spellbound, showcasing his multifaceted talent beyond acting. The song, originally composed by his uncle Rajesh Roshan for the 1981 film "Yaarana," holds personal significance for Hrithik. At just eight years old, he influenced the song's final melody selection, a fact that adds depth to his connection with the track. This event underscores Hrithik's enduring charm and his ability to connect with audiences through both his acting and musical expressions. (PC: Instagram)

The Income Tax Department has issued a notice to Malayalam actor-director Prithviraj Sukumaran regarding alleged financial discrepancies in his earnings from three 2022 films—Jana Gana Mana, Gold, and Kaduva. As both actor and co-producer, he reportedly earned around ₹40 crore without taking standard acting remuneration. Authorities are examining whether this structure was used to reduce tax liabilities, as co-production income is taxed differently. The notice comes amid ongoing ED scrutiny of L2: Empuraan's co-producer Gokulam Gopalan. Prithviraj has been asked to respond by April 29, 2025. (PC: The Hindu)    

British comedian and actor Russell Brand, 50, has been charged with rape, oral rape, and two counts of sexual assault involving four women between 1999 and 2005, the Metropolitan Police confirmed Friday. Charges include rape in Bournemouth in 1999 and multiple assaults in Westminster between 2001 and 2005. Brand, who denies all allegations, stated on X: “I’ve never engaged in non-consensual activity… I now have the opportunity to defend these charges in court.” He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on May 2. The Met’s investigation remains ongoing, and affected individuals are urged to contact authorities. (PC: PA)

Veteran Bollywood actor and filmmaker Manoj Kumar, celebrated for his powerful portrayal of patriotism in Indian cinema, died at the age of 87 in Mumbai. Known as ‘Bharat Kumar’ for his nationalistic films like Upkar, Purab Aur Paschim, and Kranti, he was a trailblazer in promoting patriotic themes through mainstream cinema. He was honored with the Padma Shri in 1992 and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2015 for his cinematic contributions. Kumar passed away peacefully at his residence, leaving behind a legacy that deeply influenced Indian film and national identity. (PC: Wikipedia)  

Stocks fell sharply after the White House announced new tariffs. The S&P 500 dropped 3.8%, while the Nasdaq fell nearly 5%. Apple, down 8%, was hit hard due to its reliance on China for manufacturing. Amazon lost 7%, and Nike dropped 11%. Since January, US markets have fallen 10%, the worst start under a new president since 2001. European stocks also dropped. Shipping giant Maersk fell 9.5%, while the UK’s FTSE 100 lost 1.6%. France’s CAC 40 and Germany’s DAX fell over 3%. Investors worry tariffs will hurt global trade. (PC: Getty)

Salman Khan’s latest film, Sikandar, has faced a disappointing box office performance, leading to widespread fan criticism on social media. The hashtag #SalmanKhanDoBetterFilms trended on X (formerly Twitter), with netizens urging him to choose stronger scripts and age-appropriate roles, comparing him to actors like Kamal Haasan and Mohanlal. The film saw a 50% drop in earnings on its fourth day, collecting ₹9.75 crore, bringing its total to ₹84.25 crore. Fans are calling for a shift in his film choices, hoping for a revival of his box office dominance with more meaningful projects. (PC: Instagram)