Category Archives: Entertainment

Deconstruct’s campaign bringbackbarbershops celebrates the neighbourhood barber: the original influencers

Bengaluru, Jan  20: Deconstruct Skincare, the science-backed skincare brand, unveils #BringBackBarbershops, a campaign that celebrates a space many of us hold close: the neighbourhood barbershop. Supported by digital amplification, the campaign invites people to rediscover these local institutions.

For generations, these shops have been more than places to get a haircut or a shave. They’ve been safe havens where conversations flow easily, where human bonds form naturally, and where the rhythm of routine brings a rare kind of comfort. There’s something special about these spaces – the familiar chair, the trusted hands, the unrushed attention. They’re cornerstones of the neighbourhood, quietly important in ways that go beyond grooming.

Malini Adapureddy, Founder & CEO, Deconstruct, said:

“Before algorithms told men how to groom, there was the neighbourhood barber. We wanted to honour that tradition, not disrupt it. This campaign isn’t about selling a new routine; it’s about recognising one that’s already there and showing how thoughtful products can fit seamlessly into rituals men already trust. The barbershop has always been a place of care. Our Oil-Free Moisturiser simply replaces the sting at the end with something gentler.”

Guwahati Asian Film Festival 2026 to Confer Lifetime Achievement Honour on Veteran Actor Bishnu Kharghoria

Guwahati, Jan  16: The Guwahati Asian Film Festival (GAFF) 2026 will confer its Lifetime Achievement Honour on veteran actor Bishnu Kharghoria (also known as Bishnu Kharghariya), in recognition of his extraordinary and enduring contribution to Indian cinema. Instituted as an annual honour, the award celebrates artists whose body of work has significantly shaped cinematic culture and inspired generations.

Announcing the honour, Festival Director Monita Borgohain said,

“Bishnu Kharghoria’s contribution to Indian cinema especially to Assamese films is profound and timeless. His performances reflect rare integrity, emotional depth, and an unwavering commitment to the craft. We are honoured to celebrate a life dedicated to cinema.”

The second edition of GAFF, organised by Trending Now Media, with support from the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, will be held from January 22 to January 25, 2026, at Jyoti Chitraban, Guwahati.

A towering presence in Indian and particularly Assamese cinema, Bishnu Kharghoria is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished actors of his generation. Bishnu Kharghoria began his film career with Bristi in 1974 and went on to build an illustrious career spanning several decades. He delivered numerous memorable performances in landmark films such as Kollol (1978), Firingoti (1992), Xagoroloi Bohudoor (1995), Pokhi (1998), among many others that shaped Assamese and Indian cinema. His exceptional talent has been nationally and internationally recognised- he received the National Film Award (Special Mention) for Xagoroloi Bohudoor in 1995 and again for Baandhon in 2012. In addition, he won the Best Actor Award at the Singapore International Film Festival in 1996 for Xagoroloi Bohudoor, reaffirming his stature as one of India’s most respected veteran actors.

The Lifetime Achievement Honour will be presented during GAFF 2026 as a tribute to Bishnu Kharghoria’s remarkable journey and his invaluable contribution to the evolution of Indian cinema.

Celebrate Republic Day with a Curated Binge-Watch on Airtel IPTV

As the spirit of nationalism fills the air, it’s the perfect time to brighten your screens with stories of courage, emotion, and freedom. Alongside flag hoisting, family dinners, and a well-earned day off, indulge in meaningful binge-watching with Airtel IPTV—bringing the best of cinema and streaming to the comfort of your home.

With 29+ top streaming apps, 600+ live TV channels, and an extensive on-demand library, Airtel IPTV offers a cinematic experience like no other. From gripping dramas and legal thrillers to international favourites and heartwarming reality TV, there’s something for everyone this Republic Day.

Must-Watch Series & Films:

• Freedom at Midnight – Season 2 (SonyLIV): Streaming from 9 January 2026, this series explores post-1947 India’s political struggle, capturing the human stories of Partition and independence.

• The Night Manager – Season 2 (Amazon Prime Video): Premiered 11 January 2026, a sophisticated spy thriller featuring greed, deception, and moral conflict—perfect for Republic Day evenings.

• A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (JioHotstar): Premiered 19 January 2026, a character-driven prequel to Game of Thrones, celebrating chivalry, loyalty, and political intrigue.

• Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web (Netflix): Premiered 14 January 2026, an intense Emraan Hashmi-led thriller about smuggling, betrayal, and high-stakes drama.

• Hijack – Season 2 (Apple TV): Released 14 January 2026, a high-octane thriller exploring crisis management and human psychology under extreme pressure.

• 120 Bahadur (Amazon Prime Video): Re-released 16 January 2026, depicting the heroic Battle of Rezang La during the 1962 Sino-Indian War—a tribute to bravery and sacrifice.

• Stranger Things – Season 5 (Netflix): Streaming with One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5 from 12 January, offering behind-the-scenes insights into the emotional final season.

Bonus Patriotic Picks for Republic Day:

• Border (Amazon Prime Video): Classic war film on the 1971 Indo-Pak War, a must-watch for patriotic fervour.

• Shershaah (Amazon Prime Video): The inspiring story of Captain Vikram Batra, Param Vir Chakra awardee, from the Kargil War.

• Uri: The Surgical Strike (ZEE5 & Airtel Xstream Play): Dramatization of the 2016 surgical strike, blending reality with thrilling action.

• Raazi (Amazon Prime Video): A gripping spy thriller about an Indian intelligence operative embedded in a Pakistani military family.

With Airtel IPTV, every story shines brighter on the big screen. Plans start at just ₹699, and as a special Republic Day festive offer, new subscribers can enjoy up to 30 days of free service via the Airtel Thanks App.

Novotel Bengaluru Outer Ring Road Celebrates the Harvest Season with Pongal Utsav

Pongal is more than a festival it is a celebration of harvest, gratitude, and prosperity. Embracing this spirit, Novotel Bengaluru Outer Ring Road presents Pongal Utsav, a thoughtfully curated South Indian Harvest Food Festival that pays tribute to age-old traditions, community bonding, and the joy of sharing a wholesome meal.

Reflecting Novotel’s commitment to cultural authenticity and immersive culinary experiences, Pongal Utsav will be hosted from January 10 to January 14, 2026, at The Square, the hotel’s signature all-day dining restaurant.

The festival brings the essence of the harvest season—gratitude, abundance, and togetherness—to the table through a harvest-inspired menu that celebrates South India’s rich culinary heritage. Curated by Executive Chef Owaize Ahmed Khan and his culinary team, the menu showcases time-honoured recipes from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

The culinary journey begins with traditional favourites such as Medu Vadai, crisp and golden, and Kuzhi Paniyaram, soft, spiced, and comforting. The highlight of the festival, Ven Pongal, is slow-cooked with rice, lentils, ghee, and pepper, and served with classic accompaniments including Sambar and Coconut Chutney.

Guests can further indulge in regional delicacies such as Kara Kuzhambu, Avial, and seasonal Poriyals, perfectly paired with steamed rice and traditional condiments. The experience concludes on a sweet note with Sakkarai Pongal, symbolising prosperity and sweetness for the year ahead.

Set in a warm and inviting ambience, Pongal Utsav at The Square promises a soulful dining experience that honours South Indian harvest traditions with authenticity and care.

Event Details:
What: Pongal Utsav – South Indian Harvest Food Festival
Where: The Square, Novotel Bengaluru Outer Ring Road
When: January 10 to January 14, 2026

The Great Gokuldham Kite Festival: Neela Mediatech Brings Makar Sankranti Alive with a Special 3D Animated TMKOC Episode

Neela Mediatech has announced the release of a special 3D animated episode of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah to mark the festival of Makar Sankranti. Titled “The Great Gokuldham Kite Festival,” the episode will premiere on 12 January at 6:30 PM on the Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah 3D Animated Series YouTube channel. The episode will be available in eight languages, including Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Tamil, Malayalam, Bangla, Telugu, and Kannada, making it accessible to audiences across regions.

By anchoring digital content around widely celebrated Indian festivals, Neela Mediatech is building a content approach rooted in cultural continuity and emotional resonance. The Great Gokuldham Kite Festival captures the spirit of Makar Sankranti by celebrating togetherness, community bonding, and shared traditions brought alive through the show’s signature humour and fun storytelling.

A long-standing favourite among viewers, the Gokuldham Society’s Makar Sankranti kite festival has featured multiple times in the television show. This animated special builds on that legacy, offering a fresh visual interpretation of a well-loved festive moment. An unexpected disruption during the celebrations triggered by an unusual kite creates chaos across Gokuldham Society, as the episode explores how the residents respond when a joyful tradition takes an unforeseen turn, while retaining the cultural warmth and humour associated with the festival.

The release further strengthens Neela Mediatech’s ongoing focus on developing IP-driven animated content, games, and merchandise that blend culture, technology, and scalable digital storytelling formats for younger digital-first audiences.

Zee Zest Unlimit Awards 2026 Opens Registrations to Celebrate India’s Innovators in Food, Travel and Lifestyle

Step Into the Upside Down: Samsung and Netflix Offer Exclusive ‘Stranger Things’ Theme for Galaxy

As the door closes on “Stranger Things,” Samsung Electronics and Netflix are giving fans a chance to celebrate the final season of the iconic show that has shaped pop culture for nearly a decade. Starting Jan. 12, Samsung Galaxy users in 186 countries can download an exclusive “Stranger Things” theme and wallpapers via Galaxy Store — available at no additional cost for a limited time to those who download or launch the Netflix app.

Iconic Imagery From a Cultural Phenomenon

Since its debut in 2016, “Stranger Things” has been one of the defining titles behind Netflix’s rise as the world’s leading entertainment service. The series became a global megahit, driving viewership and conversation across regions and generations. Following the release of Season 5, Part 1 on Nov. 27, 2025, it ranked No. 1 in 91 countries and recorded 59.6 million views in its first five days, marking the strongest opening performance for an English-language series on Netflix to date. It also became the first series in Netflix history to place all five seasons in the Global Top 10 at the same time, holding that record for five consecutive weeks. All episodes from the final season are now streaming globally, only on Netflix.

Samsung’s exclusive content inspired by Season 5 builds on that momentum. Available from Jan. 12 through Feb. 22, the collection includes a special theme and five wallpapers featuring live-action characters and settings from the show, including Hawkins and the Upside Down. Reflecting the unique atmosphere of the show, the visuals allow fans to bring elements of the series into their everyday lives.

A Long-Standing Partnership Celebrating Great Storytelling

Samsung and Netflix have a long-running partnership, bringing compelling, high-quality content inspired by some of the world’s best-loved shows. The latest collaboration follows their recent partnership to offer special themes for the worldwide hit film “KPop Demon Hunters,” while the companies previously worked together to celebrate the launch of Season 4 of “Stranger Things.”

Zee 24 Ghanta launches ‘24 Ghanta Dekhun Prize Jitun’ with daily and weekly rewards

Zee 24 Ghanta has announced the launch of its new viewer engagement contest, ‘24 Ghanta Dekhun Prize Jitun’ (Watch 24 Ghanta & Win Prizes), beginning today. The initiative has been designed to recognise and reward viewers who stay connected with the channel’s daily news coverage.

With audiences increasingly engaging with news across multiple touchpoints, 24 Ghanta Dekhun Prize Jitun adds an interactive layer to regular news viewing, encouraging viewers to participate while following the channel’s programming.

Five winners will be selected every day and will receive Amazon voucher. In addition, one weekly winner will be selected through a lucky draw, and the bumper prize will be awarded to both the winner and the associated Local Cable Operator (LCO). All the winners will be announced the next day across Zee 24 Ghanta’s linear and digital platforms.

Commenting on the initiative, Pew Roy, Deputy Editor, Zee 24 Ghanta, said,

“This initiative is a structured way to encourage viewers to engage more closely with our daily programming, while continuing to focus on news that is relevant, timely, and credible. At Zee 24 Ghanta, we believe trust is built through consistency and relevance, and 24 Ghanta Dekhun Prize Jitun is designed to keep viewers connected with the news they rely on every day, while upholding the standards of credibility that define our journalism.”

Through 24 Ghanta Dekhun Prize Jitun, Zee 24 Ghanta continues to explore formats that strengthen viewer participation while remaining anchored in its news-led approach.

Riders Music Festival 2026 Unveils Eclectic Lineup Featuring Papon, Nucleya, Seedhe Maut & More

New Delhi, Jan 13: 93.5 Red FM has announced the artist lineup for the fourth edition of Riders Music Festival (RMF) 2026, scheduled to take place on 21–22 February 2026 at The Great India Place (GIP), Noida. Positioned at the intersection of music, motorcycling, and youth culture, the two-day festival continues to grow as one of North India’s most distinctive community-driven cultural experiences.

Celebrating the vibrant intersection of music, motorcycling and youth culture, RMF 2026 promises a two-day, high-energy experience that blends creativity, mobility and community spirit. The festival will feature a curated day-wise lineup of electronic, hip-hop, indie, Bollywood and stand-up comedy, complemented by immersive experiences for riders and enthusiasts alike.

Day-wise Artist Highlights:

• Day 1: Level 6, Bharat Chauhan, and Nucleya, with Seedhe Maut headlining the evening with their dynamic hip-hop performance.

• Day 2: Harsh Gujral and Chaar Diwaari, leading up to a headline set by Papon, marking one of the singer-songwriter’s first large-scale, multi-genre festival appearances in Noida.

Artist Spotlights:

• Papon – Renowned for his emotion-driven songwriting and storytelling, Papon will deliver a soulful and immersive live experience with hits like Bulleya, Moh Moh Ke Dhaage, and his recent track for Metro In Dino.

• Nucleya – India’s electronic music pioneer brings his genre-blending, festival-ready energy with chart-toppers such as Tota Myna, Let’s Nacho and Paintra.

• Seedhe Maut – The Delhi-based hip-hop duo Encore ABJ and Calm will showcase their signature raw lyricism and powerful stage presence.

• Harsh Gujral – Adding a comedy dimension to the festival with his observational humor, best known for his stand-up special Jo Bolta Hai Wohi Hota Hai.

• Bharat Chauhan – Indie singer-songwriter blending psychedelic and introspective sounds with tracks like Ghar and Shaayar.

• Chaar Diwaari – Garv Taneja’s experimental indie project combines bold sound design with evocative Hindi lyricism (Thehra, Roshni, Jhaag).

• Level 6 – Led by musician Manish Gunthey, known for high-energy live performances and mashups inspired by both global and Indian music legends.

Speaking on the lineup announcement, Nisha Narayanan, COO and Director, Red FM, said,

 “Riders Music Festival is where the open road meets music and culture. This year, we’re making RMF 2026 bigger and more inclusive for the entire riding community, with new experiences like FMX, dirt bike rides, and track sessions with Apex Racing Academy. Before the main festival, biking enthusiasts can get an exclusive on-track experience with Apex, learning advanced riding skills and feeling the thrill of the track firsthand. Along with 50+ breakfast rides and a diverse artist lineup spanning stand-up comedy, Bollywood, pop and indie, RMF continues to grow as a pan-India cultural phenomenon where mobility, creativity and community converge by bringing together riders, creators, auto brands and artists in a shared celebration of the riding lifestyle.”

Beyond live performances, Riders Music Festival 2026 will feature custom and performance motorcycles, interactive brand experiences, curated food zones and art installations. The festival continues to emphasise safety, inclusivity and community participation, welcoming both riders and music enthusiasts to be part of the RMF experience.

Z Partners with Kabaddi Champions League Haryana to Launch ‘Mitti Ka Khel’ Across Zee5 & TV

‘Z’ Partners with Kabaddi Champions League Haryana to Bring ‘Mitti Ka Khel’ to Millions; Inaugural Season to Telecast Live across Zee 5 & Linear Channels

Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (‘Z’), India’s leading media and entertainment company, today announced a landmark partnership with the Kabaddi Champions League (KCL) Haryana to bring the high-octane action of professional kabaddi to viewers nationwide. Officially sanctioned by the Amateur Kabaddi Association Haryana (AKAH), the league’s inaugural season is set to take place from January 25th to February 7th, 2026, featuring 8 powerhouse franchises competing for the ultimate glory.

The collaboration will see KCL Haryana stream digitally on the Zee 5 app and broadcast across ‘Z’s leading linear channels, including Zee Anmol Cinema 2, Z Yuva, Z Bollywood, &Pictures HD, Z Punjabi, and ‘Z’s dedicated sports platforms. By offering feeds in both Hindi and regional languages, ‘Z’ aims to maximize accessibility for fans across India’s diverse demographic landscape, particularly within the heartlands where Kabaddi is a legacy sport.

The 14-day tournament will feature the founding eight franchises: Karnal Kings, Gurugram Gurus, Rohtak Royals, Faridabad Fighters, Panipat Panther, Sonipat Stars, Bhiwani Bulls, and Hisar Heros. Guided by Dronacharya Awardee Shri Balwan Singh, championed by brand ambassadors Rajesh Narwal and Mohit Chhillar and with world’s top kabaddi players, the league is designed to give ‘Mitti Ka Talent’ a professional platform to rise.

he partnership extends beyond live matches to include a 360-degree content ecosystem on Zee 5, featuring “Champions Talks” (podcasts with players and coaches), “Champ’s POV” (behind-the-scenes footage), and city-wise cine-films. ‘Z’ will support the league with an intensive promotional campaign across its network, leveraging its cumulative reach of over 800 million viewers to build a massive, youth-centric fanbase.

Laxmi Shetty, Head – Advertisement Revenue, Broadcast and Digital, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd., said, 

“At ‘Z’, we are committed to strengthening our content-tech leadership by bringing India’s most authentic and high-passion sports to every screen. Kabaddi is more than just a sport; it is a cultural legacy that resonates with the heartbeat of Bharat. By partnering with Kabaddi Champions League Haryana, we are unlocking a massive opportunity for brands to connect with a deeply engaged, youth-led audience in a high-impact, event-based environment. This collaboration perfectly aligns with our strategy of diversifying our sports portfolio and monetizing niche, regional-first properties. With our integrated ecosystem across Linear and Zee 5, we are not just broadcasting a tournament; we are building a professional stage for grassroots talent and providing advertisers with a high-trust platform to reach the real pulse of India.”

Beyond the mat, KCL Haryana is committed to social impact, aligning with the Government of Haryana’s “Drug-Free Haryana” campaign to promote fitness, discipline, and pride through sports.

“We are thrilled to partner with ‘Z’, an iconic broadcaster that understands the soul of Indian entertainment and sports,” said a Spokesperson for KCL Haryana. 

“Haryana is the global powerhouse of Kabaddi, and with ‘Z’s unparalleled reach, we can finally give our local champions the national visibility they deserve. By bringing together the best players and ensuring the best, high-octane games, we are creating the best viewing experience for fans across every screen in Bharat.  This league is a professional bridge for grassroots players to become national icons. With ‘Z’s expertise in storytelling and digital-first innovation, we are confident that the inaugural season will set a new benchmark for indigenous sports in India.”

The season officially kicks off on January 25th, 2026, following a state-wide Trophy Tour. Fans can expect world-class production, expert commentary from the likes of Sunil Taneja and Vishwash Chauhan, and high-energy live performances throughout the league days.