Ram Gopal Varma Claims Dhurandhar 2 Got Dawood Ibrahim Act Wrong

Ram Gopal Varma has been one of the most vocal admirers of Dhurandhar 2, showering the Aditya Dhar directorial with glowing praise ever since its release. 

However, despite his overwhelming appreciation, RGV has now opened up about the one aspect of the film that did not sit right with him.

RGV On Dawood Ibrahim's Depiction

In a recent conversation with writer Hussain Zaidi on his YouTube channel, RGV spoke at length about what impressed him in Dhurandhar 2. While he lauded the film's craft and storytelling, he admitted to having reservations about the portrayal of Dawood Ibrahim.

"The only element I disagree with is that. I feel that the portrayal of Dawood Ibrahim... They might have their own sources (but) I think it is being shown incorrectly," he said.

In the film, the notorious gangster is referred to as 'Bade Sahab' and is depicted as the mastermind orchestrating terror operations in India from Pakistan. However, RGV suggested that this interpretation may not align with what he believes to be true.

RGV's Clarification

The Satya director clarified that while he does not claim absolute authority on the subject, the film's narrative does not match his understanding of Dawood's current status.

"It's not like I can say that with authority. But it is not falling in line with what I know," he explained.

RGV added that, based on what he has heard over the years, Dawood has been largely inactive. "He is inactive by choice, because he stopped doing anything. I believe he retired from criminal activities 20 years ago," he said.

At the same time, he acknowledged the ambiguity surrounding such figures, noting that no one can definitively confirm or deny the truth. "Nobody can be an expert, nobody can know this is the truth. We all think Dhurandhar has shown something... I can't disprove it, and the director can't prove it as well," he concluded.

About Dhurandhar 2

The sequel to Dhurandhar follows the rise of Ranveer Singh's Hamza Ali Mazari as Sher-e-Baloch and the undisputed king of Lyari. It also traces his journey from becoming Jaskirat Singh Rangi to Hamza, the man who intrudes into Pakistan as a spy to avenge the terrorist attacks in the nation.

The spy-action thriller also brings back the talented supporting cast, including Arjun Rampal, R Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, Rakesh Bedi, Danish Pandor, and Sara Arjun.

ALSO READ: Dhurandhar Is Now India's Biggest Franchise, With Rs 3,000 Crore And Counting

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Live: Pakistan Army Chief Meets Iran Speaker Ghalibaf

US Iran War, Peace Talks LIVE Updates: The leader of Iran's joint military command threatened Wednesday to halt trade in the Gulf region if the U.S. does not lift its blockade of Iranian ports. Even so, US President Donald Trump said the war in Iran was "very close to over" in an interview that aired Wednesday.

Separately, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that the US is preparing to ramp up economic pain on Iran by levying secondary sanctions on financial institutions that do business with the Middle Eastern nation. Bessent called the measure the "financial equivalent" of the bombing campaign.

Mediators' efforts to extend a US-Iran ceasefire made progress as the two sides are expected to hold another round of negotiations, regional officials said. But a senior US official said Washington has not formally agreed to extend the ceasefire. A Pakistani delegation arrived for talks in Tehran in the latest diplomatic move.

Israel, meanwhile, is pressing ahead with its aerial and ground war against the militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon, a day after the two nations held their first direct talks in decades.

Here Are The LIVE Updates of US-Israel Iran War, Ceasefire, Peace Talks

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Balls Up Out on OTT: Know Where to Stream This American Action-Comedy Film Online

Directed by Peter Farrelly, Balls Up is an American Action-Comedy Film which has finally made its way to Amazon Prime Video. It is a blend of comedy, thrill, and action.

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Fresh Talks With Iran Likely In Pakistan In "Next Two Days", Says Trump

Days after the US-Iranian talks in Pakistan failed, US President Donald Trump said that negotiations could resume "over the next two days." Speaking to the New York Post on Tuesday, Trump confirmed that the venue is going to stay the same -- Pakistan.

"...It's more likely that we go back there," he said, adding, "Why should we go to some country that has nothing to do with it?"

Trump said that Pakistan's Army Chief Field Marshal, Asim Munir, was "fantastic" and "doing a great job", which is why the US and Iran would go back to the talks in Islamabad. Earlier, Trump had told the Post that the US would not be returning to Pakistan for any future talks with Iran but later called them back with the update.

The Republican leader had hinted at a European country as a mediating country previously. When asked if it was Turkey that the US was considering as the next location for talks, Trump said, "No, somebody more central. Europe, maybe."

He criticised European allies again and complained that although they do want to help, "they just don't know how to do it".

"They're doing nothing except to have meetings. All they do is have meetings," he said. "They want to get there, but they just don't know how to do it. They're a paper tiger."

US-Iran Weekend Talks Failed In Islamabad

On Monday, Trump informed reporters that "the other side has reached out to us" and "they're eager to negotiate a deal."

US Vice President JD Vance also said Iran has moved in the direction of the US during the peace talks in Islamabad to end the war, and it was for Tehran to make the next move on taking the discussions forward.

"I wouldn't just say that things went wrong. I also think things went right. We made a lot of progress," Vance told Fox News.

"They moved in our direction, which is why I think we would say that we had some good signs, but they didn't move far enough," said the US vice president, who led the delegation comprising Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, for the talks with the Iranian delegation.

The United States and Iran ended 21 hours of face-to-face talks in Islamabad on Sunday without reaching a deal, leaving the fate of the fragile, two-week ceasefire still unclear. The US delegation, led by Vance, and the Iranian delegation, led by parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, had discussed how to advance a ceasefire already threatened by deep disagreements and Israel's continued attacks against the Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Among the slew of issues at stake was the Strait of Hormuz, a major transit point for global energy supplies that Iran has effectively blocked but the US. has vowed to reopen, as well as Iran's nuclear programme and international sanctions on Tehran.

"There was a strong hope in the middle of the talks that there would be a breakthrough and the two sides would reach an agreement. However, things changed within no time," a Pakistani government source told Reuters.

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Maharashtra Man Sexually Exploits 180 Minors, Shoots 350 Videos, Arrested

A man accused of sexually exploiting at least 180 minor girls and recording over 350 obscene videos has been arrested in Maharashtra's Amravati, in a prompt action by the police following a complaint by a BJP MP.

Mohammad Ayaz, alias Tanveer, a resident of Paratwada city, allegedly lured the girls into a "love trap," took them to Mumbai and Pune, and filmed obscene videos of them.

These videos were allegedly used to blackmail the girls and force them into prostitution. Some were widely shared online too.

The minors were systematically targeted through WhatsApp and Snapchat groups, according to a memorandum submitted by Rajya Sabha MP Anil Bonde to Superintendent of Police (Rural) Vishal Anand.

Bonde also warned of staging protests in front of the SP's office on Wednesday morning if a Special Investigation Team (SIT) is not constituted.

Even some members of the Muslim community visited the police station to demand strict action against the accused, stressing the need to prevent the community's reputation from being tarnished.

Mohammad Ayaz had allegedly served as an office-bearer of the AIMIM earlier. In videos and photographs shared by him on his social media, he appears to be receiving a letter from the MIM's Amravati president, Haji Irfan Khan, and recording social media 'reels' at the party's rallies.

However, several such videos have been deleted from his Instagram account after the case came to light.

Acting swiftly in the case, the police arrested Ayaz and produced him before a court today. He has been remanded to police custody for seven days. The police have also seized his mobile phone. According to sources, the device contains several objectionable videos.

The police are now investigating whether the accused shared those videos with his friends or a criminal syndicate. With help from Cyber Cell, the videos that were shared online are also being probed.

(inputs by Shubham Baiskar)

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US May Be Eyeing Strait Of Malacca After Hormuz. Why It Matters To India

As tensions escalate around the Strait of Hormuz, where the US is intensifying pressure on Iranian-linked maritime activity, a parallel development in Southeast Asia is drawing attention. A fresh defence arrangement between the United States and Indonesia has triggered speculation that the US' focus may be widening toward the Strait of Malacca, which is another critical artery of global trade.

The agreement, finalised earlier this week, gives US military aircraft expanded operational access to Indonesia's airspace. Although it is officially framed as a step toward deeper defence cooperation, it could also enhance Washington's surveillance and operational reach over the Malacca Strait, which links the Indian Ocean with East Asia.

Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore collectively manage this passage, which facilitates a significant portion of global trade transit. However, the timing of the deal has raised questions about whether the US is recalibrating its Indo-Pacific strategy to secure key maritime chokepoints beyond the Middle East.

Malacca's Strategic Weight In Global Trade

Unlike Hormuz, which is central to global oil shipments, the Strait of Malacca serves as a broader commercial lifeline, facilitating the movement of energy supplies as well as manufactured goods, electronics and industrial components. It is significant because of the sheer volume of trade it handles, including a major share of global oil flows.

The corridor is especially crucial for East Asian economies. China, in particular, remains heavily reliant on this route for energy imports. This is a dependency long viewed in Beijing as a strategic vulnerability, often referred to as the "Malacca Dilemma".

Despite comparatively lower direct economic dependence, the United States views the strait through a strategic and military lens. Its narrow width at key points makes it both a potential bottleneck and a leverage point in any future conflict scenario.

India's Geographic Advantage And Growing Role

The evolving dynamics around the Malacca Strait also place India in a position of relevance. Located close to the western approaches of the strait, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands provide New Delhi with a natural vantage point over maritime traffic moving through the region.

India's military infrastructure, including its southernmost air station at Campbell Bay, enables monitoring of key sea lanes. Moreover, ongoing infrastructure initiatives in the region will further bolster India's maritime capabilities, strengthening its presence near one of the world's busiest shipping corridors.

This geographic proximity could contribute to a cooperation between the US and India, particularly in the context of balancing China's influence in the region.

Complex Regional Dynamics Could Challenge US Plans

Any expanded US role in the Strait of Malacca, however, would have to navigate a complex regional landscape. Indonesia and Malaysia share control over the strait, which has longstanding sensitivities regarding sovereignty and maritime boundaries.

Singapore, while controlling a smaller part of the strait, remains central to its commercial ecosystem due to its advanced port infrastructure and dominance in global shipping services, including bunkering operations. The maritime sector is a key pillar of its economy, making stability in regional shipping routes critical for it.

Recent global debates over maritime tolls and restrictions have also heightened concerns in Southeast Asia. Against this backdrop, Washington's evolving posture suggests a broader effort to secure multiple strategic corridors simultaneously.

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India Gets Iranian Oil For First Time In 7 Years: Report

Two very large crude carriers loaded with Iranian oil have reached Indian ports, ship tracking data from LSEG shows, as local refiners utilise a temporary waiver granted by the United States last month to resume purchases from Tehran for the first time in seven years.

The current waiver is due to expire on April 19.

The Iran-flagged Felicity has reached Sikka Port in western India, while the Curacao-flagged Jaya is at the eastern port of Odisha, the data shows.

A VLCC carries 2 million barrels of oil.

India, the world's third-biggest oil importer and consumer, has not received a cargo from Iran since May 2019 after coming under U.S. pressure not to buy the country's crude.

Indian Oil Corp, the country's top refiner, has bought Iranian oil loaded on the Jaya, a vessel under U.S. sanctions, Reuters reported last week.

India has also allowed Reliance Industries Ltd, the operator of the world's biggest refining complex, to buy Iranian oil loaded on the Comoros-flagged aframax Kaviz, Curacao-flagged VLCC Lenore and Iran-flagged VLCCs Felicity and Hedy, all of which are more than 20 years old and are also under U.S. sanctions.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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OnePlus Nord 6 Review: Finally, a Mid-Ranger Without Compromise

The OnePlus Nord 6 feels like a stellar return to what made the Nord lineup relevant in the first place, capturing that elusive value-driven DNA. By borrowing heavily from flagship design elements and pairing them with a high-quality display and dependable performance, the handset stands out without cutting corners on core specifications. In a landscape where competitors are dialling back core hardware, the Nord 6 makes a persuasive case as a performance-focused disruptor in its segment.

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SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Cygnus XL for NASA ISS Resupply Mission

A Cygnus XL launched aboard a Falcon 9 is delivering supplies and experiments to the International Space Station, supporting research in microgravity, medicine, and space weather.

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BCCI Begins Investigation Into RR Manager Romi Bhinder Using Phone In Match

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has initiated a formal investigation into Rajasthan Royals (RR) team manager Romi Bhinder, who was spotted using a mobile phone in the dugout during the side's IPL 2026 match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Guwahati. The incident, captured live by TV cameras at the ACA Stadium, showed Bhinder using a device while seated next to teenage left-handed opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who was looking at the screen. The footage has since gone viral and raised questions regarding a breach of the league's strict anti-corruption protocols.

According to the IPL's Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA) regulations, a team manager may use a phone in the dressing room area but 'NOT' in the dugout. Saikia confirmed to IANS on Sunday that the BCCI Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) is currently verifying the details of the incident and has begun its probing exercise.

"As per the PMOA regulations, certain individuals like the team manager are allowed to carry phones, and Romi Bhinder, as the manager of Rajasthan Royals, can carry one. But we need to thoroughly examine which area the phone was taken into and whether due permission was sought.

"By doing that, whether he has violated any protocol or regulation under our existing IPL rules and regulations is being verified, and as I speak, we have already started the process.

"The Anti-Corruption Unit has begun the exercise to see whether he took the mobile phone into the designated area or beyond that. After examining the various pieces of evidence and following due process, they will submit a report based on their findings," said Saikia.

As per the tournament rules, two BCCI Anti-Corruption Managers, appointed by the head of the BCCI Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU), are responsible for the management of the PMOA. Their responsibility is to ensure that proper arrangements are in place and that security personnel are fully briefed.

With RR set to face Sunrisers Hyderabad on Monday, it remains to be seen whether Bhinder is spotted in the PMOA area again. Bhinder has been an integral member of RR's backroom staff since 2008 and also serves as Sooryavanshi's 'local guardian' during the IPL.

"The phone is to be used only in case of an emergency. On seeing that screengrab, it looks like he may have been watching something, using Google, or perhaps checking a social media platform like WhatsApp or Instagram.

"The only thing is that the Anti-Corruption Unit could retrieve the entire data from the device he was using during that period for a thorough investigation and even question the player about what he was exactly looking at on the device.

"If Bhinder is found not to have done anything suspicious by the ACU officials and the match referee in Guwahati, then he could be let off with a warning, or a fine of 10-20 percent may be levied on the franchise," said a source aware of PMOA and ACU workings to IANS.

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Old Clip Of Madhavan, Arjun Wishing For Awards Show In Pakistan Goes Viral

While Aditya Dhar's Dhurandhar: The Revenge continues to wreak havoc at the box office-a spy thriller centred around Indian intelligence operations against terrorism in Pakistan-the film has been tagged as propaganda by many. However, the internet continues to be divided. Amid the rampage, an old video from IIFA's red carpet has resurfaced where a reporter asked several celebrities, "Have you ever thought about hosting IIFA in Pakistan?"

From Anil Kapoor to Anupam Kher, several answered, but the reason the video is going viral after Dhurandhar 2 success, is R. Madhavan's and Arjun Rampal's quotes. They played Ajay Sanyal, the Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), and Major Iqbal, a ruthless ISI operative, respectively.

What Did They Say?

R. Madhavan's answer to the question was, "Yes, I would be the first to go. I just want to say to my Pakistani brothers and sisters, your love always reaches me through Twitter and Facebook. It makes me very happy that you watch us and like us. I'm truly touched that we receive so much love from across the border."

Arjun Rampal said: "The heart definitely wishes that IIFA should go to Pakistan at least once."

"Back then at IIFA Awards"

Reporter: Have you ever thought about hosting IIFA in Pakistan?

The Desh Bhakt
R. Madhavan: Yes, I would be the first to go. I just want to say to my Pakistani brothers and sisters your love always reaches me through Twitter and Facebook. It makes me… pic.twitter.com/d42XW7BcHB

— PintuX (@pintya_348) April 9, 2026

Other Celebs

Some other actors who answered the question on the red carpet were Bobby Deol, Anil Kapoor, and Anupam Kher.

Anil Kapoor said, "I want to come Pakistan invite me! Please."

Anupam Kher shared, "The relationship between politicians may not be good, but the people there and here are very kind. There's a lot of love between them."

Bobby Deol said, "Zaroor hoga. Log pagal ho jaayenge, isse zyaada shor shoraba hoga."

Dhurandhar 2 Box Office

Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar 2 continues to maintain a strong overall box office performance, even as its daily collections begin to slow down in the third week of its run. 

The Aditya Dhar directorial, which emerged as one of the highest-grossing films of the actor's career, has recently witnessed a noticeable dip, with earnings falling into single digits since mid-week.

According to trade data from Sacnilk, the film collected Rs 6.70 crore on Friday, marking a drop of over 6 per cent from Thursday's Rs 7.15 crore. 

This decline follows a steady downward trend that began after the film crossed the Rs 7 crore mark on Wednesday and Thursday. 

Despite the slowdown in daily numbers, the film's cumulative performance remains impressive.

After 23 days in theatres, Dhurandhar: The Revenge has recorded a domestic nett collection of Rs 1,055.12 crore, while its India gross stands at Rs 1,263.26 crore. 

On the international front, the film added Rs 2 crore on day 23, taking its overseas total to Rs 408 crore. 

With this, the worldwide gross collection has reached Rs 1,671.26 crore, inching closer to the Rs 1,700 crore milestone.

About Dhurandhar 2

Released on March 19, Dhurandhar: The Revenge follows the journey of Jaskirat Singh Rangi, who becomes an undercover agent after a personal tragedy and infiltrates Lyari's criminal and political network to eliminate threats to the nation. 

Ranveer Singh leads the cast in a dual-layered role, alongside Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun, Rakesh Bedi and others in key roles.

ALSO READ | Dhurandhar 2 Box Office Collection Day 23: Ranveer Singh's Film All Set To Cross Rs 1700 Crore Mark

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