Malayalam star Mohanlal and longtime collaborator and producer Antony Perumbavoor have been exonerated by a Kozhikode sessions court in a 2007 film dispute case, upholding a lower court’s verdict that cleared them of all charges. The legal battle stemmed from an alleged dispute related to a film project nearly two decades ago but saw no findings of wrongdoing against the actor or producer. The decision brings a long-running industry controversy to a close, allowing both figures to move forward without the cloud of this old legal case. (PC: The Hindu)

Netflix removed the teaser and promotional material for Neeraj Pandey's film "Ghooskhor Pandat" after the Indian government's directive amid massive backlash. The BJP confirmed the Centre's swift action, with spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia commending the removal and FIR registration against the filmmakers. The controversy erupted after the title sparked outrage on social media, leading to an FIR at Lucknow's Hazratganj police station and an NHRC notice to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry. Director Neeraj Pandey and lead actor Manoj Bajpayee defended the film, calling it a "fictional cop drama" where "Pandat" is merely a colloquial character name, not representing any caste, religion, or community. BJP emphasized zero tolerance for content demeaning communities.

Oscar-winning actor Olivia Colman, known for playing Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown, has ancestral ties to Bihar and Kolkata, according to a resurfaced TV interview. In a 2019 episode of the genealogy show Who Do You Think You Are, Colman traced her lineage to Kishanganj in Bihar. Records showed her three-times great-grandmother, Harriot “India Harriot” Slessor, was born there around 1807 to an East India Company officer and an Indian woman. After her father’s death, she was sent to England through Kolkata port. She later returned and lived in Kolkata after marriage. Colman called the discovery a “Eureka” moment. (PC: The Telegraph India)

Aditya Dhar’s spy thriller Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh, has soared to number one on Netflix Pakistan after its digital release on January 30. Despite being banned theatrically in Pakistan and missing box office revenue in the Middle East, the film grossed $33 million overseas and achieved Rs 1,300 crore worldwide, ranking as Bollywood’s second-highest grosser. Screenshots confirm its top spot ahead of Tere Ishk Mein, Haq, and The Big Fake. Pakistani viewers praised its authentic representation, strong performances, and avoidance of stereotypes, sparking cross-border appreciation. Featuring Akshaye Khanna, R Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, and Arjun Rampal, Dhurandhar blends fact and fiction, with anticipation building for its March 19 sequel. (PC: X)

Bad Bunny made Grammy history as the first Latin artist to win Album of the Year in 68 years for "Debí Tirar Mas Fotos," beating Lady Gaga and Kendrick Lamar. The 2026 ceremony became a platform for immigration protests, with stars including Bad Bunny, Olivia Dean, and Billie Eilish defending immigrants against Trump's ICE crackdown. Billie Eilish won Song of the Year for "Wildflower" her third win this decade. Kendrick Lamar overtook Jay-Z with 27 total Grammys. Host Trevor Noah's Epstein joke about Trump prompted a lawsuit threat. British winners included Olivia Dean (Best New Artist), Lola Young, and FKA Twigs. Golden became K-Pop's first Grammy winner. 

Dhurandhar, an Indian spy thriller starring Ranveer Singh and directed by Aditya Dhar, has reached number one on Netflix in Pakistan after its digital release. The film did not get a theatrical release there but began streaming on January 30. Social media screenshots showed it leading the platform’s Pakistan chart within days. Viewers from Pakistan shared positive reactions online. One user wrote, “As a Pakistani, it's the best ever Bollywood movie I ever watched.” Several comments praised the performances and said the film avoided common stereotypes. The movie earlier earned strong overseas box office numbers despite regional release limits. (PC: India Today)

Indian sitar virtuoso Anoushka Shankar lost the Grammy for Best Global Music Performance to Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny at the 68th Grammy Awards' Premiere Ceremony. Her nominated song "Daybreak," featuring Alam Khan and Sarathy Korwar, was among five contenders. This marked Shankar's 12th and 13th Grammy nominations. She consciously skipped the Los Angeles ceremony, choosing to tour India instead, emphasizing that "awards don't matter like the actual connection playing music for people affords us." The British-American musician has earned fourteen Grammy nominations throughout her career and became the first Indian-origin musician to perform live and present at the Grammys. (PC: Instagram)

Emmy-winning actor Catherine O'Hara died on Friday at the age of 71 at her Los Angeles home following a brief illness, her agency Creative Artists Agency confirmed. The Canadian-born comedy legend's career spanned five decades, beginning with Toronto's Second City and SCTV alongside Eugene Levy. She became iconic as Kevin's anxious mother in Home Alone and as eccentric Moira Rose in Schitt's Creek, winning a 2020 Emmy for the latter. O'Hara also starred in Beetlejuice and Christopher Guest's ensemble comedies. Recently, she earned dramatic acclaim with Emmy nominations for HBO's The Last of Us and The Studio. She's survived by husband Bo Welch and sons Matthew and Luke. (PC: AP)

Arijit Singh shocked fans by announcing his retirement from playback singing earlier this week. According to NDTV reports, the beloved vocalist from Jiaganj, Murshidabad, West Bengal, may be transitioning into politics. A Bengali film industry insider revealed Singh is considering launching his own political party and contesting elections at the grassroots level first, though he won't participate in the 2026 Bengal Assembly Elections. No official statement has been issued yet. Singh's Instagram announcement thanked fans for their support throughout his illustrious career, which produced iconic tracks including Tum Hi Ho, Channa Mereya, and Kesariya. His final release is Ghar Kab Aaoge from Border 2. (PC: X)

Indian singer Arijit Singh has announced he will no longer take on new playback singing assignments, prompting tributes from fans across the country. In an Instagram post on Tuesday, the 38-year-old said, “I am calling it off. It was a wonderful journey.” Playback singing, where singers record songs for actors to lip-sync on screen, is central to Bollywood films. Singh became one of the industry’s most recognisable voices over the past decade. Fans described his voice as “the sound of our heartbreaks and celebrations”. Reports say Singh will complete existing projects and continue making independent music outside commercial cinema. (PC: BBC)