‘Saraswathi‘, the first film in which actress Varalaxmi Sarathkumar directs, was teased by Telugu star Nani on Saturday.

“Some journeys are special because of the people behind them,” Nani said on his X timeline. I’m thrilled to present the trailer for #Saraswathi, which was helmed by my good friend @varusarath5. I’ve witnessed the amount of effort she has put into this, and it genuinely merits all of your affection. Best wishes for success to the entire crew. #varalaxmisarathkumar #poojasarathkumar is the producer of #Saraswathi. Under the @Dosadiariesoffl banner. A musical by @MusicThaman.

Varalaxmi is shown waiting at a police station at the start of the trailer. We learn that Saraswathi, her daughter, has vanished. When we hear the actress state, “I dropped her at school myself, but when I went to pick her up, they say that she is not there,”

In the meantime, Kishore and Priyamani are also in the same situation. Since her child hasn’t arrived yet, Priyamani asks the watchman at the school.

In response, the watchman says that no one is in the school and that everyone has departed. Then, we witness Kishore and Priyamani desperately looking for their child inside the school.

Even though Varalaxmi claims that her daughter will not go without telling her, the police quickly get involved and start asking questions.

Varalaxmi appears powerless in the absence of evidence. After a few nervous moments, we see Varalaxmi approach Prakash Raj, who plays the movie’s advocate Ramanunajam.

We watch him accept her and go to court on her behalf after initially being hesitant to take her case because there is no proof or evidence.

We learn that a crime has been committed and that Varalaxmi will not be able to obtain justice, even after a protracted legal battle. Varalaxmi gets a gun and learns how to shoot it as the trailer comes to a close. “Not all women are going to be Saraswathi. She will even transform into a Kali if necessary, she said.

Varalaxmi and her sister Pooja are producing the movie under the Dosa Diaries production banner.

Along with Varalaxmi, the film stars Prakash Raj, Priya Mani, Radhikaa Sarathkumar, and Naveen Chandra.

Saraswathi’s technical team is also strong. One of the best music directors in the Tamil and Telugu film industry, Thaman, composed the music for the movie.

Edwin Sakay was responsible for the film’s cinematography, and Venkat Raajen was in charge of its editing. Brinda is the dance choreographer, and Sudheer is the art director.

A recent SBI Research report states that the refund could be a “mess,” but it would also serve as a psychological deterrent in the imposition of future tariff structures.

The US administration has collected between $160 and $175 billion in tariffs from various jurisdictions, with Chinese companies likely having paid the most.

A day after the US Supreme Court invalidated a large portion of his previous tariffs, President Donald Trump has escalated his trade attack by raising worldwide taxes to 15%, citing Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974.

The report claims that the court’s unscrapping of the tariff structure can upend future uncertainty and that jurisdictions must implement counterintuitive negotiation to strategically position themselves during the sporadic period when the US Congress, which is delicately balanced, holds ultimate power.

It contended that “the convergence between arbitrators and inter-sovereign treaties on effective tariff structure can be a melee, if not a mess.”

The US President may implement temporary import limits or surcharges (up to 15%) under the Trade Act to address problems with the US balance of payments. It has a maximum duration of 150 days, unless Congress passes legislation to extend it.

Certain pre-existing national security levies and products from Canada and Mexico that adhere to the USMCA are excluded from the new tax.

The report stated, “It is anticipated that the Administration would finish investigations and impose tariffs using Section 301 and Section 232 during this time.”

Since Section 232 has not been repealed, Indian businesses, like those worldwide, are subject to Section 232 tariffs on copper, steel, and aluminum, as well as vehicles.

The report stated that it would be interesting to observe how the shifting sands of bilateral relations add to or lessen the landscape and how trade deals among multiple sovereigns are interpreted at the end of private, independent legal, artificial, or “juristic” persons (the firms that filed the case and won a favorable judgment for refund and scrapping of the tariff structure).

President Mithun Manhas and Secretary Devajit Saikia of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) supported a historic support system for the men’s and women’s teams affiliated with the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) on Saturday, describing it as a pivotal step toward inclusive cricket development in India.

Following ten years of remarkable success for India’s visually impaired cricket players, including numerous Men’s World Cup titles and a historic first Women’s World Cup victory in Sri Lanka last year, the BCCI formally announced on Saturday the structured arrangement for extending institutional backing to both the men’s and women’s national teams.

Manhas claimed that institutional, ongoing support was not only necessary but also long overdue, given the magnitude of what India’s blind cricket players had accomplished on the international scene.

“The cricketing community is extremely proud of the accomplishments of India’s visually impaired players. The BCCI hopes to improve these athletes’ exposure, infrastructure, and opportunities through this assistance system.

“Our goal for the game still centers on inclusive growth. We hope that this assistance will encourage many more people to take up the sport and give the teams even more confidence to strive for success. He stated in a BCCI statement, “The BCCI is still dedicated to doing its part to guarantee that cricket remains a game for everyone.

As part of the arrangement, the BCCI will pay for both teams’ international travel to two tournaments each year, house the home and visiting teams during bilateral series played in India, and open its affiliated stadiums and grounds for both local and international games.

To ensure that visually impaired cricket players have the resources and support they require to compete confidently both domestically and internationally, it is crucial to extend this support to CABI.

“The chance to take advantage of match settings and infrastructure supported by the BCCI will further improve their experience and contribute to the improvement of professional standards in blind cricket in India,” Saikia continued.

India defeated Australia by 17 runs in a high-stress match at the Adelaide Oval after a thrilling battle.

Australia’s lower order struggled mightily to reach the difficult goal of 159, but India’s bowlers held their composure until the very last overs to secure the victory.

Jemimah Rodrigues and Smriti Mandhana both made significant contributions to India’s batting, but it was Shreyanka Patil with the ball that ensured the side easily defeated the hosts.

With Shafali Verma (7 off 6) and Mandhana (82 off 55) getting the innings off to a fast start, India got off to a fairly steady start. But Australian bowlers put up a fight, and the former fell swiftly.

India won thanks to a 121-run partnership between Mandhana and Rodrigues (59 off 46), who stabilized the ship. The batting combination was kept intact by Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh, even though the vice captain was only 18 runs away from a well-earned century.

The Women in Blue set a manageable target for the home team thanks to the wicketkeeper-batter’s seven-ball 18-ball cameo and subsequent mini-collapse in the last over.

Australia’s chase got off to a rough start when Renuka Thakur dismissed Beth Mooney (6) in the second over after she fell early. Renuka Singh’s amazing catch allowed Shreyanka Patil to dismiss Georgia Voll in the third over, marking yet another significant breakthrough.

Then, Ashleigh Gardner (57) and Phoebe Litchfield (26), working together, put up a fierce fight. The highlight of Australia’s chase was Gardner’s knock, which kept the necessary run rate under control with five boundaries and a six.

Nevertheless, wickets kept falling at regular intervals, with captain Sophie Molineux (6) being bowled leg before wicket by Shreyanka Patil and Shree Charani.

The strain caused Australia’s middle order to collapse. The chase stalled as they lost wickets quickly after Annabel Sutherland’s brief burst of activity. Despite appearing assured, Grace Harris was removed by hit-wicket.

Australia was at 143/9 after Sutherland was dismissed for a crucial knock of 14 by Shreyanka Patil, who delivered another devastating blow.

Then, in the last over, Deepti Sharma came back to bowl a calm spell, conceding just five runs as the visitors held the hosts to 150/9 and won by 17 runs.

India now leads the multi-format series 4-2, and the two teams will face off in three ODIs and a single Test.

Brief Scores:
India 176/6 in 20 overs (Smriti Mandhana 82, Jemimah Rodrigues 59; Annabel Sutherland 2-34, Kim Garth 1-25)
Australia 159/9 in overs (Ashleigh Gardner 57, Phoebe Litchfield 26; Shreyanka Patil 3-22, Shree Charani 3-32)

The construction of the HCL-Foxconn semiconductor facility in Uttar Pradesh, according to PM Narendra Modi on Saturday, is a big step towards technical self-reliance and will greatly increase India’s footprint in the global chip ecosystem.

Using a video conference from the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) location in Uttar Pradesh, the PM officially opened the HCL-Foxconn joint venture project, India Chip Private Limited.

With an investment of more than Rs 3,700 crore, the new facility is an Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) unit.

Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Modi stated that Uttar Pradesh is quickly becoming a key hub in India’s expanding semiconductor industry.

PM Modi clarified, “The nation is gradually achieving chip production independence, which is essential for industries like electronics, autos, and digital technologies.”

Display driver chips for smartphones, computers, cars, and other consumer devices will be produced at the OSAT facility.

The factory is anticipated to process about 20,000 wafers per month once it is up and running. This will improve domestic supply chains and lessen India’s reliance on chip imports.

The Prime Minister referred to this decade as India’s “tech-ade,” claiming that investments in semiconductors are setting the stage for the nation to become a leader in 21st-century technologies.

PM Modi said, “India has made rapid progress even though it entered the semiconductor race later than some other nations.”

Ten of these units have been approved thus far under the India Semiconductor Mission, and four of them are almost ready to begin production.

PM Modi also mentioned the recent India AI Impact Summit in Delhi, where world leaders commended India’s technological ambitions.

According to the Prime Minister, 2026 has started off quickly, and this week is momentous for the nation’s technological advancements.

He emphasized that thousands of direct and indirect employment for engineers, technicians, and skilled workers will be created by the new factory.

Additionally, it is anticipated to support startups, ancillary industries, and semiconductor design hubs in the area.

PM Modi stated that the facility’s close proximity to Jewar Airport will facilitate quicker global connectivity and enhance logistics.

A lot has been said, criticized, and debated about the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh over the decades. Shatak does something extraordinary—it transforms discussion into experience, debate into understanding, and history into living, breathing moments.

This film is not just about events; it is about the people, the courage, and the unshakable conviction behind one of India’s most influential movements.

Ambitiously, it covers the first 50 years of the RSS, with the promise of the next 50 years still to unfold—a cinematic journey that leaves the audience eagerly anticipating what is yet to come.

From the very first scene, Shatak establishes itself as a masterpiece of historical storytelling. One of India’s pioneering films to blend live-action with the most advanced technology, it uses cutting-edge techniques not as a spectacle but as a seamless bridge to bring historical figures and moments to life with stunning realism.

The film’s depiction of Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar is profoundly moving. Here is a man -India’s forgotten hero whose belief in discipline, character, and service laid the foundation of a century-long mission.

Watching his early years, his humble beginnings and the sacrifices he endured during the freedom struggle builds him into not just a founder, but a visionary whose quiet resolve shaped a movement larger than himself.

The simplicity of the early days—the open fields, the small gatherings, the tentative steps of an idea—feels honest, lived-in, and inspiring. These scenes remind us that monumental movements are often born in the humblest of settings, nurtured by dedication rather than spectacle.

Shatak is not only about organizational history—it is about India’s nation-building moments. The liberation of Dadra and Nagar Haveli is depicted with restraint and dignity, a quiet but powerful celebration of freedom.

The efforts to secure Kashmir and the guidance provided in turbulent times are handled with sensitivity and precision, reminding viewers that the RSS played a significant role behind the scenes in shaping India’s destiny.

These sequences are a testament to courage, vision, and the spirit of service, portrayed in a way that resonates long after the screen goes dark.

What makes Shatak remarkable is its focus on human stories within history. Young swayamsevaks leaving home, families facing uncertainty, volunteers quietly taking on enormous responsibility—the film captures their emotions, fears, and steadfast dedication.

Each frame lingers just enough for the audience to feel the weight of commitment and the nobility of purpose, making history deeply personal and profoundly moving.

The team behind Shatak deserves boundless praise. Conceptualized by Anil D. Agarwal, directed with nuance and care by Aashish Mall, and produced by Vir Kapur with co-producer Aashish Tiwari under Ada 360 Degree LLP, the film is a labor of passion, integrity, and belief.

Every creative choice reflects respect for history, the organization, and the people whose stories are being told. The filmmakers could have gone for sensationalism—but instead, they embraced authenticity, subtlety, and depth.

In essence, Shatak is a cinematic celebration of belief, resilience, and dedication. It is moving, inspiring, and unforgettable—a film that doesn’t just depict history, but makes you feel it, live it, and admire the men and women who shaped it. The first 50 years are captured with brilliance; the next 50 are awaited with anticipation. Shatak is not merely a film—it is a heartfelt tribute to an idea that refused to bend.

Shatak stands as a masterclass in storytelling, historical insight, and emotional resonance. It is a moving, inspiring, and deeply praiseworthy tribute to the RSS and the ordinary individuals whose extraordinary dedication helped shape the nation.

Directed by: Aashish Mall
Produced by: Vir Kapur
Concept by: Anil Dhanpat Agarwal
Co-Producer: Aashish Tiwari
Associate Producers: Ashok Pradhan, Mayank Patel, Kabir Sadanand
Executive Producer: Abhinaav Shiv Tiwari
Written by: Nitin Sawant, Rohit Gehlot, Utsav Dan

India’s recent interim trade agreement with the United States, which resulted in a reduction in US tariffs, is being increasingly seen worldwide as reflecting New Delhi’s strategic autonomy in taking decisions that are in national interest.

“India’s response, which is seemingly rooted in a deliberate policy of strategic autonomy, reveals a pragmatic approach that prioritises national interest without surrender, as many pundits had suggested,” according to an article in South Africa’s Sunday Independent.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, at the recent Munich Security Conference on February 14, also stated that India remains “very much emboldened to strategic autonomy because it’s very much a part of its history and evolution.”

Responding to questions about whether the US trade deal compelled a shift away from Russian oil, Jaishankar stressed that energy decisions are driven by “availability, costs, risks”, and the best interests of Indian oil companies, not political pressure, the article points out.

This underscores that any moderation in imports (Russian share has declined to below 25 per cent in early 2026, with Iranian flows already negligible) stems from pragmatic assessments, not external pressure, the article written by Phapano Phasha states.

Jaishankar’s remarks directly countered US assertions (from Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio) of a firm commitment to end Russian purchases, highlighting India’s insistence on independent-minded choices that “may not necessarily agree on everything” with partners, the article observes.

The US tariffs on Indian goods will drop from rates as high as 50 per cent (including punitive layers) to 18 per cent, slightly more favourable than those on competitors like Pakistan (19 per cent) and Vietnam (20 per cent).

This will ease the burden on key export sectors such as textiles, pharmaceuticals and electronics, stabilising supply chains and protecting jobs amid global volatility.

Experts are also of the view that most Trump-era deals remain frameworks with uncertain timelines and legal questions over presidential authority, and without congressional approval, thus countries like India retain implementation flexibility.

This US framework followed swiftly after India’s landmark free trade agreement with the European Union, finalised on January 27. The article also points out that India’s sequencing of first securing a free trade agreement with the EU, diminished US leverage during negotiations, exemplifying strategic autonomy through diversified partnerships.

India has moderated Russian imports under sanctions and market realities, while eyeing Venezuelan heavy crude as a US-encouraged alternative. Yet no full halt on Russian or Iranian ties has been confirmed, and enduring military-economic links with Moscow persist, the article points out.

This selective diversification clearly aligns with the tapestry of India’s national interest: ensuring an affordable, reliable supply of oil for 1.4 billion people while hedging risks.

“By balancing US concessions with EU diversification and pragmatic energy choices, New Delhi advances national interest without perceived ideological surrender. In a multipolar world, this model of resilient, uncoerced engagement offers valuable lessons for the Global South, the article observes,” the article observes.

CEOs of global tech companies attending the India AI Impact Summit 2026, on Thursday, emphasised the need for autonomy, infrastructure, and mass empowerment in the AI ecosystem.

On the sidelines of India AI Impact Summit 2026, keynote addresses by Arthur Mensch, CEO & Co-founder, Mistral AI; Jeet Adani, Director, Adani Digital Labs; Rajesh Subramaniam, CEO, FedEx and Vinod Khosla, Founder, Khosla Ventures, examined how artificial intelligence is reshaping sovereignty, global commerce, infrastructure, and access to essential services – with a strong emphasis on openness, ownership and large-scale societal impact.

Arthur Mensch, CEO & Co-founder, Mistral AI, made a compelling case for AI autonomy and open innovation.

Emphasising decentralisation and digital self-reliance, he stated, “AI should be a tool for empowerment, not for dominance. Countries and regions must own their AI destiny; it is not a privilege, but a necessity for preserving digital autonomy.”

Warning against excessive concentration of power, he added, “We do not want a world where three or four enormous companies own access to intelligence. The future must be built by the many, and for the many.”

Jeet Adani, Director, Adani Digital Labs, framed AI through the lens of national capability and strategic sovereignty.

Outlining energy, compute, and services sovereignty as three defining pillars, he remarked, “AI is written in code, but it runs on electricity. If a nation’s energy systems are fragile, its intelligence systems are fragile.”

Announcing major investments in green, sovereign AI infrastructure, he added, “The question is no longer whether India will participate in the AI century. The question is whether the AI century will carry India’s imprint, in its infrastructure, its intelligence, and its values.”

Rajesh Subramaniam, CEO, FedEx, positioned AI as foundational infrastructure for the next industrial era, particularly in global supply chains.

Reflecting on the company’s transformation, he said, “AI is no longer a trend – it is the next industrial system. Intelligence is not an asset; it is infrastructure.”

Highlighting the scale of opportunity, he added, “Over the next 50 years, our differentiation will come from orchestrating the intelligence that governs modern commerce, predicting disruption, optimising flows and building resilient supply chains.”

Vinod Khosla, Founder, Khosla Ventures, shifted the focus to immediate, large-scale applications capable of transforming lives.

Advocating AI tutors, AI doctors, and AI agronomy services accessible to every citizen, he said, “Unless AI benefits the bottom half of India’s population, we will not see its true impact.”

Underscoring feasibility, he added, “The future is here today. What once required hundreds of billions of dollars can now be delivered at scale, cheaply — multiplying access to education, healthcare, and expertise for every Indian.”

The session reflected a shared conviction that AI’s next phase must be defined not only by technological sophistication, but by ownership, accessibility, and equitable deployment.

From open-source autonomy and sovereign infrastructure to intelligent supply chains and universal digital services, the leaders emphasised that India stands at a decisive inflection point, with the opportunity to architect AI systems that are inclusive, resilient, and globally influential.

Sikandar Raza scored a vital late hit for Zimbabwe as they defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets in a thrilling victory, with Brian Bennett leading the chase with a cool undefeated half-century in their Group B match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Thursday.

Zimbabwe established the basis for chasing a competitive target of 179 with a solid opening partnership between Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani. Marumani led the way with a forceful innings, smashing six fours and a six to score 34 runs off 26 balls, as the pair put up 68 runs for the opening wicket. Meanwhile, Bennett gained ground steadily after an early break.

Zimbabwe maintained the necessary pace and was at 78/1 at the halfway point. Before Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka intervened to momentarily halt the advance, Ryan Burl added more momentum with a rapidfire 23 off 12 deliveries, highlighted by a massive six.

But during a scorching partnership between Bennett and Raza, the game swung dramatically in Zimbabwe’s favor. In his 45 off only 26 balls, Raza launched a ferocious counterattack, hitting four sixes and two boundaries as the chase was in a close position. By attacking the spinners in particular, he shifted the tide and lessened the strain on the visiting team.

Bennett maintained the innings with maturity, switching strike skillfully while taking advantage of bad deliveries, and completed his half-century off 41 balls. Between the 15th and 17th overs, Zimbabwe scored 46 runs, which allowed them to win the match against Sri Lanka.

When Dushan Hemantha quickly dismissed Raza and Tashinga Musekiwa, Sri Lanka made a late comeback attempt, but Munyonga maintained his composure under pressure. He finished undefeated on 59 off 47 balls after hitting a game-changing six in the second-to-last over, and Bennett ended the match in fine form by hitting a boundary through extra cover.

Zimbabwe’s disciplined bowling attack kept Sri Lanka’s total, which they had set at 178/7 in their 20 overs earlier, attainable.

Zimbabwe secured their second-highest successful chase in T20 internationals with the triumph, which also guaranteed them an undefeated finish in Group B, which included Sri Lanka, Australia, and Ireland. Despite periods of dominance, Zimbabwe’s precise hitting in the final overs brought Sri Lanka down.

“All I said to my boys after we lost the toss was: If we are truly playing good cricket, why should the toss play such a huge part in our mindset? ” When we’re playing well, that’s all that matters.

As he put it, “I’m really happy,” Raza praised Zimbabwe’s strategic clarity and preparedness for enabling them to adjust in stressful situations. I believe that’s because, in the first place, we’ve prepared for any eventuality. Everything is on the board when you’re chasing, in any case. Additionally, we have the appropriate people to deploy at the appropriate moment. During the chase, we made around four adjustments to our lineup.

Raza reaffirmed the idea behind their campaign as Zimbabwe cemented their position as one of the tournament’s surprises. “However, we can hold our heads up high knowing that we made it there undefeated. And you never know if we can win two of those three games. Everyone loves an underdog story, as I’ve been saying all along,” he said in conclusion.

Brief scores:
Sri Lanka 178/7 in 20 overs (Pathum Nissanka 62, Pavan Rathnayake 44; Graeme Cremer 2-27, Blessing Muzarabani 2-38)
Zimbabwe 179/6 in 19.3 overs (Brian Bennett 59*, Sikandar Raza 45; Dushan Hemantha 2-36)

Backed by a strong digital base, secure infrastructure, and a thriving startup environment, India is becoming a “natural hub” for Artificial Intelligence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday.

At the India AI Impact Summit, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the nation’s growing technological prowess in vital fields.

India is developing a robust ecosystem, from quantum computing to semiconductors and chip manufacture, with secure data centers, a robust IT infrastructure, and a thriving startup ecosystem. India is a logical center for inexpensive, flexible, and safe AI solutions due to these advantages, he said.

The Prime Minister highlighted India’s distinctive advantages, pointing out that the nation’s diversity and democratic system give it a strong position in the world of artificial intelligence.

“India is a democracy, with a diverse population. If an artificial intelligence model is successful in India, it will be successful everywhere, he added.

“Create and design in India. ” “Give to the world, give to humanity,” he continued.

Emphasizing the need to prioritize people over machines in AI development, Prime Minister Modi urged for systems that are responsive, responsible, and in accordance with human values.

“The main goal of this Global AI Impact Summit is that. The theme of this Summit, “Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya,” which translates to “Welfare for All, Happiness for All,” is a reflection of India’s perspective on artificial intelligence. That is our standard,” he stated.

The Prime Minister emphasized the necessity of democratizing artificial intelligence and highlighted the importance of technology empowering rather than excluding.

“We must ensure that people are not just data points and are not reduced to raw materials. AI needs to be made more accessible to the public. It must transform into a tool of inclusion and empowerment, particularly for the Global South,” he stated.

In light of differing global attitudes regarding the future of AI, Prime Minister Modi stated that there are opposing perspectives about its future.

“Today, there are two sorts of people in the world. In AI, one sees worry. The other predicts that AI will bring good things. India views AI as an opportunity, not as a threat; India sees its future in AI,” he stated with accountability and pride.

“We have talent, energy, capacity, and policy clarity,” he stated.

Additionally, the Prime Minister highlighted real gains made during the conference. “At this Summit, three Indian companies have introduced their AI models and applications, and I’m delighted to share that. “These models represent the depth and variety of India’s young talent and the solutions India offers to the world,” he said.

An AI-powered sign language interpretation was shown in the background throughout his speech, highlighting the real-world applications of the technology being covered at the summit.