Entertainment

📍 India

In early October 2026 an AI-manipulated explicit video using footage of actors Janhvi Kapoor and Jr NTR from the film Devara: Part 1 circulated online. Several film personalities condemned it, Jr NTR called for legal action, and filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma argued that celebrity reactions amplified its reach.

📍 India

In mid-September 2026 the Central Board of Film Certification issued revised guidelines. They include six certification categories, a mandatory anti-drug warning during drug scenes, and bars on content seen as communal, obscurantist, anti-scientific or anti-national. The changes drew online criticism and support (reported 18-19 September 2026).

📍 Maharashtra, India

The Film Federation of India picked the Marathi film 'Gondhal', directed by Santosh Davakhar, as India's entry for the 99th Academy Awards on 18 September 2026. The Indian Film & Television Directors' Association has asked the Maharashtra government to support the costs of international publicity and screenings. The Chief Minister congratulated the makers on 19 September.

📍 India

Reports say the film 'Punjab '95', a biographical drama, awaited CBFC clearance from 2022 and the board reportedly sought 127 cuts, which the makers declined. Per the report, an uncut version appeared on ZEE5 on 3 July 2026 and was gone for Indian viewers within 48 hours under IT Rules.

📍 Telangana, India

On 21 September 2026 the Telangana Home (General) Department authorised higher ticket rates for the Telugu film 'The Paradise' for its 24 September release, with the increase tapering after the first days. Earlier, the Supreme Court stayed a High Court direction for 90-day advance disclosure of such approvals (13 March 2026).

📍 South Korea

On 5-6 October 2026 South Korea's culture minister condemned threats against the cast of 'The Assassin(s)', a thriller dramatising the 1974 attempt on President Park Chung-hee. Conservative groups say it distorts history, while 19 film industry groups distinguished criticism from pressure on individuals. The film passed 2.23 million admissions.

📍 United States

Paramount Skydance agreed to buy Warner Bros. Discovery at $31 per share. The US DOJ approved it in June 2026 and the UK cleared it on 6 August, while state attorneys general challenged it. Reports on 21 September 2026 said a 12-state coalition backed a proposed consent decree; the deal had not yet closed.

📍 United States

In April 2026 a Manhattan jury found Live Nation and Ticketmaster liable in a state attorneys general antitrust case, with remedies still to be decided. Separately, a proposed DOJ settlement includes a $280 million fund and a 15% cap on service fees at Live Nation venues, and awaits court review (Hypebot, 2026).

📍 India

The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules, 2026 took effect on 1 May 2026 under the 2025 Act. They create an Online Gaming Authority, bar registration of real-money games, and permit social games and e-sports. Banks must block payments to prohibited money games (reported 22 April-1 May 2026).

📍 India

A report published on 18 July 2026 says India held about 34,000 live events in 2025, with general tickets mostly Rs 1,500-3,500 and premium ones Rs 15,000-25,000. It points to venue scarcity, scalping, last-minute cancellations and slow approvals. Ye's Delhi concert in March 2026 had prices capped at Rs 6,000-30,000.