iPhone Duo First Impressions: The Real Star Isn't the Fold, It's the UI

Apple finally unwrapped the iPhone Duo after years of leaks and rumours that claimed the company has been working on a foldable. Early impressions from reviewers and YouTubers are surprisingly consistent: the hinge and the crease aren't the headline anymore. I got my hands on the iPhone Duo last week, and I used it for a bit to see whether what's turning heads is really the device's software. The good news is Apple didn't just shrink iOS to fit a fold. Why this feels fresh and exciting is that, for years, foldables running Android have seen UI that's stretched across two screens with some polishing, and brands calling it a day.

Apple seems to have actually gone to the drawing board to figure out how you're supposed to use a foldable device. On the iPhone Duo, the dock moves and multitasking behaves differently depending on how you're holding it. The best part is that even the animation when you open the Duo does real work, not just looks pretty and resizes. It's the kind of detail that's easy to miss in a spec sheet but impossible to ignore once you've used it for some time.

iPhone Duo: Hardware That Steps Out of the Way

This is Apple's first foldable; the hardware matters, even if it's not the main story. The iPhone Duo is packed to the brim and looks solid. The Duo closes into a compact, passport-shaped phone with a 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR outer cover screen, and opens into a 7.6-inch Super Retina XDR display that almost reminds you of the iPad mini. Compared with other foldables on the market, the matte finish on the inner display adds finesse to the overall device, as it limits glare and fingerprint smudges.

Apple claims that when opened, it's the thinnest iPhone with the largest display ever

Apple has used the nano-texture matte finish from its MacBook and iPad Pro lineups. The crease is there if you look for it, but it's far less obvious than on a few foldables on the market.

The titanium frame feels solid in the hands, and the curved edges sit well in the palm. The hinge holds at odd angles without wobbling, which matters more than it sounds once you use it in tent mode for a clock or prop it up for texting on a table. Of course, all of this adds a bit of heft, which is good for a device priced this much. Then there's no telephoto lens, so it doesn't win any spec war. The hardware does its job quietly, and it is competent, occasionally excellent, and mostly just the stage for what's happening on screen. Under the hood, the phone packs an A20 Pro chip and comes with a vapour chamber.

iPhone Duo: Foldable-Only UI Is the Real Story

The first thing I noticed after picking up the iPhone Duo is the interface custom-designed for this foldable. Aesthetically and in button placement, the iPhone Duo puts the dock and main app controls on the right edge of the screen instead of the bottom, which sounds small until you realise it's designed around how you actually hold the phone open, one hand on each side. On the cover screen, it also quietly solves the asymmetry problem created by the phone's shape.

The Duo is compact and comfortable to hold and has essential controls moved to the side

For multitasking, the Duo seems built for jumping from one app to another. Like other foldables, you can drag an app out of the dock while another is already open, and it snaps into the other half of the screen automatically, just like the iPad. You can also pull an app back toward the centre, and it goes full-screen again. The entire flow feels natural, and you don't have to look for a button to pin the app to open it in full-screen mode.

Then there are the different tilt modes that genuinely don't exist on Android. You can bend the phone slightly, and it drops into a split mode on its own, useful for propping the phone on a table with video on one side and WhatsApp on the other, where you can continue your conversation. Once folded, it switches to a vertical standby layout with room for widgets like a bedside clock, photos, widgets, and more with StandBy.

It comes in Night Sky and Star White colours

The open-close animation on the Duo isn't just for show. It's built so the outer screen looks like a small window into the bigger one as it unfolds, with a soft blur effect that makes the whole transition feel like one continuous interface rather than two separate screens pretending to be one.

The iPhone Duo isn't flawless. The split-screen setup currently supports only full- or half-screen apps, with nothing in between, and if you fold the phone mid-use, it doesn't remember your multitasking layout. We may see more updates in the coming weeks before the phone goes on pre-order on October 16 and goes on sale from October 23.  

It sports two 48-megapixel main and ultra-wide rear cameras

Left-handed users might also have a genuine complaint, as every control is locked to the right edge. Hopefully, a future OTA update can fix this.

iPhone Duo: Initial Thoughts

The iPhone Duo feels like a refresh in the iPhone lineup that has been waiting for a foldable for years. The hardware, from the sturdy hinge to the nano-texture glass, sets a remarkably high baseline. But a week into hands-on testing, the takeaway isn't that Apple made a folding screen; it's that they built a software experience that finally justifies having one.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/kePRwOD

Read More

"Green Methi Not Allowed": Student Charged Rs 20 Over School Tiffin

A row has broken out at a school in Maharashtra's Bhayandar after allegations that a student was charged for bringing fenugreek in their tiffin during the Jain festival of Paryushan, days after similar claims surfaced over onions, potatoes and other vegetables.

A student at Tapovan School in Bhayandar East reportedly brought a fenugreek (methi) dish from home in their tiffin. According to allegations, the school then wrote a note in the student's diary stating, "Fenugreek is a banned vegetable."

The student was reportedly not allowed to eat the food brought from home. Instead, they were given food from the school canteen and charged Rs 20 for it.

Read: Class 2 Student Collapses, Dies Moments After DJ Procession Crossed UP School

It is claimed that root vegetables (kandmool) and items such as fenugreek have been restricted at the school because of the large number of Jain students enrolled there, tying the move to dietary practices observed during Paryushan (an annual holy event in Jainism).

This is not the first such allegation against the school. Reports had previously emerged that students were being fined Rs 50 for bringing onions, potatoes, ginger, beetroot and carrots in their tiffins during the same festival.

A complaint over that fine was filed by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). Acting on the complaint, Sulbha Vathare, Education Officer of the Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation, issued a show-cause notice to the school on 17 September.

An explanation has been sought from Tapovan Vidyalaya regarding the matter, but the school has not yet made any official statement.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/4aZpnEJ

Read More

India's Medal Tally At Asian Games 2026: Full List Of Medal Winners After Day 3

India's medal tally rose to seven at the end of the third day at Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya. The major successes of Day 3 came in cricket as the women's team beat Sri Lanka to deliver the first gold medal. Earlier on Day 2, Himanshu Dhillon clinched silver and Rudrankksh Patil secured bronze in the men's 10m air rifle individual event. India also won silver in the men's 10m air rifle team event, as Dhillon and Patil teamed up with 18-year-old Parth Mane. Mixed martial arts (MMA) star Suchika Taryal added the other medal of the day, settling for bronze after losing her women's Traditional -60kg semi-final.

So far, Indian shooters have won five out of the nation's seven medals.

Full list of India's medal-winners at Asian Games 2026 so far:

Shooting

Elavenil Valarivan, Sonam Maskar and Vidarsa Vinod - women's 10m air rifle team event - Silver

Elavenil Valarivan - women's 10m air rifle individual event - Silver

Himanshu Dhillon - men's 10m air rifle individual event - Silver

Rudrankksh Patil - men's 10m air rifle individual event - Bronze

Himanshu Dhillon, Rudrankksh Patil and Parth Mane - men's 10m air rifle team event - Silver

MMA

Suchika Taryal - women's Traditional -60kg - Bronze

Cricket

Indian Women's Cricket Team - Gold

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/wF1MtQ3

Read More

Trade Setup For Sept 22: Nifty Bulls Eye 23,550 Breakout As Sub-$100 Oil Flips Sentiment

Indian equity markets could remain range-bound in Tuesday's session as the Nifty faces a crucial resistance zone around 23,520-23,550 amid persistent geopolitical uncertainty and elevated energy prices. This comes as GIFT Nifty rises 0.34% to 23,519.50 after Brent crude fell below $100.

According to Sudeep Shah, Head - Technical and Derivatives Research at SBI Securities, the 23,520-23,550 zone is likely to act as an important resistance area for the Nifty in the near term. "A sustained move above 23,550 could extend the ongoing pullback rally towards the 23,700 mark in the short term," Shah said.

On the downside, the 23,330-23,300 zone is expected to provide crucial support. Shah said a breach below 23,300 could weaken the near-term structure and potentially result in the index resuming its corrective trend.

Market participants are also keeping a close watch on crude oil prices and geopolitical developments, which could influence the sustainability of the recent recovery in Indian equities.

ALSO READ: What Happens If US Imposes 100% Tariff On Russian Oil Buyers? IOCL, BPCL & HPCL Face Risk

"While Indian equities ended on a firmer note, persistent geopolitical uncertainty and still-elevated energy prices continue to warrant a cautious approach. The durability of the recent recovery is likely to depend on sustained stability in crude oil prices and greater clarity on the geopolitical front," said Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money.

Hariselvan Radhakrishnan, Founder and CEO of HST Wealth, said softer oil prices and contained volatility could provide room for the recovery to extend. He added that investors would focus on core-sector data, crude oil prices and global bond yields ahead of Tuesday's session to assess whether the recent rebound can gather further momentum.

Bank Nifty Outlook

Bank Nifty ended higher after opening on a flat note and remaining in consolidation for most of the session. The index gradually moved higher during the second half, approaching the 56,700 mark before closing near 56,470, according to Enrich Money's Ponmudi R.

For Tuesday's trade, immediate resistance for Bank Nifty is placed at 56,700-56,800. A sustained move above 57,000 could strengthen the near-term technical structure.

On the downside, immediate support is seen at 56,000-56,100. A failure to sustain this zone could extend weakness towards the next support level of 55,700-55,800, Ponmudi said.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/JHKaqC9

Read More

Asian Games: India Women Fight Back In Table Tennis To Secure Second Win

The Indian women's team scripted a fine comeback to script a 3-2 win over Singapore in their Group F match of the table tennis event at the Asian Games here on Sunday. India were staring at defeat after trailing 1-2 before Sreeja Akula and Yashaswini Ghorpade secured crucial wins to clinch the tie. Opening the proceedings, Ghorpade defeated Jian Zeng 11-7, 11-3, 8-11, 11-9. But Sreeja Akula suffered a narrow 8-11, 11-4, 9-11, 11-4, 6-11 loss to Loy Ming in the second match. Diya Chitale too went down 7-11, 4-11, 11-7, 5-11 against Tan Zhao to concede a 1-2 lead to Singapore. Returning for a must-win match against Zeng Jian, Sreeja shrugged off the earlier loss to register a 6-11 11-3, 11-7, 11-4 win to level the tie at 2-2. In the decider, Ghorpade beat Loy Ming 5-11, 11-8, 12-10, 4-11, 11-9 to notch up a memorable win for India.

Earlier, India's men's and women's teams began their campaigns with identical 3-0 wins over Indonesia in their respective Group F openers The women's team began on a winning note as Sreeja, Diya and Yashaswini swept their Indonesian opponents.

Sreeja beat Ni Maharani 3-1 in the opening rubber, recovering from an 8-11 second-game loss to win 11-3, 11-4, 11-4.

Diya then defeated Almaira Nebuchadnezzar 3-0 (11-9, 11-8, 11-5) before Yashaswini sealed the tie with a 3-0 (12-10, 11-4, 11-4) win over Citra Rasmi.

The men followed with an equally dominant 3-0 victory, though they were pushed harder in the second rubber.

Sathiyan Gnanasekaran put India ahead with a 3-0 win over Muhammad Negara, prevailing 11-8, 11-7, 11-9.

Manav Thakkar then survived a five-game battle against Muhammad Junindra, winning 3-2. Manav took the first game 11-7, dropped the second 8-11, and regained the lead by winning the third 11-6.

Junindra forced a decider by taking the fourth 11-6, but Manav held his nerve to win the fifth 11-9.

Manush Shah completed the men's sweep with a 3-0 win over Affan Pratama, prevailing 11-9, 11-9, 12-10.

India's women are grouped alongside Indonesia, Pakistan and Singapore in Group F.

The men's team is clubbed with Iran, Pakistan and Indonesia.

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

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/N3wBuJf

Read More

"UPI Payment Will Not Be Accepted": Traders Put Up Notices Over MDR

Traders in Ghaziabad have started putting up notices outside their shops saying “UPI Payment Will Not Be Accepted” in protest against the proposed Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on selected UPI transactions above Rs 2,000 from October 15. The notices have appeared at shops as traders voice concerns over the proposed 0.4 per cent charge. They say that although the government has said the MDR will be charged to merchants, the additional cost could eventually affect customers.

Traders are advising customers to carry cash when making purchases from October 15, particularly for transactions above Rs 2,000.

They argue that merchants may not be willing to absorb the additional cost and could instead ask customers to pay in cash for larger purchases.

The proposed MDR has become a major point of discussion among traders and shopkeepers in Ghaziabad, with many opposing the move.

The traders' notices are effectively a warning to customers that UPI may not be accepted for certain higher-value purchases once the proposed charge comes into effect.

UPI Fee: What Changes From October 15?

Under the new framework, a 0.4 per cent MDR will apply to specified person-to-merchant UPI transactions above Rs 2,000.

The charge will be paid by the merchant, not the customer. It will be capped at Rs 300 for transactions of Rs 75,000 and above. UPI payments between individuals will remain free.

Most everyday UPI payments will also remain outside the new charge. Person-to-merchant (P2M) transactions up to Rs 2,000 account for more than 95 per cent of P2M transaction volume and will continue to attract zero MDR.

This means someone buying a Rs 1,500 item from a shop through UPI will not suddenly face a new UPI fee. The bigger change will be felt in higher-value merchant payments.

Centre Wants Merchants To Absorb The UPI Fee

The government's concern is simple. If merchants start adding a separate "UPI charge" to bills, customers could feel that UPI is no longer free. That could undermine one of the biggest advantages of digital payments.

The Centre has, therefore, started discussions with payment aggregators and other platforms to ensure the MDR is not passed on to consumers. Banks have also been advised to ensure that merchants do not transfer the cost.

The government has not, however, publicly detailed exactly how this daily monitoring will work.

Will UPI Users Return To Cash?

The government does not expect the new MDR to push people back towards cash. Officials estimate that only around 4 per cent of UPI transaction volume will be affected by the new levy. That is because the overwhelming majority of UPI payments are small-value transactions.

NPCI data shows that in August, 86 per cent of P2M UPI transactions were below Rs 500 and another 10 per cent were between Rs 501 and Rs 2,000. So the new MDR is primarily aimed at a relatively small portion of higher-value merchant transactions.

RuPay debit card payments will also remain free irrespective of the transaction amount, giving merchants and consumers another digital payment option.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/rusF7ft

Read More

Cost Of Automation: Toyota Sees $6.4-Billion Annual Spend From 2028

Starting in 2028, Toyota Motor plans to invest roughly 1 trillion yen ($6.4 billion) per year into high-tech automation and robotics. The initiative is designed to counter Japan's shrinking, ageing labour pool while overhauling ageing manufacturing infrastructure throughout its supplier network.

Squeezed by factory obsolescence and hiring crunches, the auto industry is leaning heavily into robotics. Beyond lowering production overhead, market watchers note that this automation push could position automakers to commercialise their proprietary tech well outside traditional carmaking.

ALSO READ: Ford To Recall Over Two Lakh US Vehicles Over Fuel Tank Detachment Risk

The projected investment spans Toyota, its group affiliates, and primary suppliers. While Toyota stopped short of confirming a definite rollout or timeline, it informed investors that automating factories across these companies would require roughly 400,000 robots, as reported by CNBC.

This figure accounts for both new installations and replacements of existing machines, covering humanoid and non-humanoid robots alike.

In talks with investors earlier this month, the company outlined an investment push into factory automation, focusing on robotics, automated logistics, and next-generation human-robot workflows.

The proposed deal, pitched to investors earlier this month, earmarks capital for factory-floor automation, spanning industrial robotics, automated transit systems, and collaborative human-robot operations.

Toyota's pivot toward robotics could help investors look past the factory floor and recognise its long-term potential outside the automotive sector, according to a recent Bernstein note.

ALSO READ: Coal India Goes High-Tech: AI, 5G And Autonomous Machines To Transform Mining

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/3PQ4LGl

Read More

Chasing NFL Milestone, Aaron Rodgers' Steelers Chapter Takes A New Turn

Aaron Rodgers is entering a different kind of NFL season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. At 42, every week brings another question about how long his body can keep up with the position. Yet his opening game offered a clear answer to one part of that debate. Aaron Rodgers looked comfortable, handled a heavy passing workload and helped Pittsburgh start 2026 with a win over the Atlanta Falcons. With his final NFL season already confirmed, Rodgers has another target in sight. His chase up the career wins list could add more weight to an unusual farewell year.

Aaron Rodgers Reveals The Simple Change Behind His Strong Start At 42

Aaron Rodgers has made one simple change that could matter more as the season moves forward. He has learned that his training cannot be the same as it was earlier in his career.

Looking back at last season, Aaron Rodgers admitted that he hurt himself while squatting before Week 1. That setback affected his preparation. This time, he took a more careful approach to his workouts.

“I was a little smarter about my workouts leading up to this season,” Rodgers said. He also made it clear that he feels good moving around and expects that to continue.

That change was visible in Week 1. Rodgers completed 24 of 40 passes for 221 yards and a touchdown as Pittsburgh Steelers defeated Atlanta Falcons 20-13. He also showed enough movement in the pocket to give the offense another option when plays broke down.

#Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers says he “doesn't give a sh*t” about how many targets a player gets after a reporter told him Roman Wilson was tied for second on the team last week.

“Nobody in the locker room talks about their targets. That's all for you guys to talk about.” pic.twitter.com/Qvtbc0c4MP

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 16, 2026

When Rodgers was asked if throwing a pass would be managable he replied “For me, yeah. Totally. Totally sustainable.”

Aaron Rodgers Can Move Closer To Ben Roethlisberger And Drew Brees

The bigger story now goes beyond Rodgers' physical preparation. His final season also gives him a chance to move higher on the NFL's career wins list.

Rodgers entered Week 2 with 164 regular-season wins as a starting quarterback, putting him one behind Pittsburgh Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger at 165. A victory over Cincinnati Bengals would bring Rodgers level with Roethlisberger.

Drew Brees sits at 172 wins which means Aaron Rodgers would need nine more win to move past him. Brett Favre and Peyton Manning are tied at 186 as Tom Brady remains far ahead with 251.

Rodgers has already confirmed that 2026 will be his final NFL season. That makes every win more significant not because he needs to prove what he has already achieved , because there is a clear end date to this chapter.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/qZNQOUP

Read More

Multi-Decade Runway To Full Stack Control: Inside Lenskart's Global Playbook

Eyewear unicorn Lenskart is doubling down on rapid volume expansion and end-to-end supply chain integration, confident that a massive structural penetration deficit in emerging markets offers a multi-decade growth runway. Speaking at the Jefferies India Forum 2026, the eyewear's Founder and Chief Executive Officer Peyush Bansal reiterated that the company's priority remains solving vision correction at scale rather than optimizing for short-term profitability.

According to Bansal, Lenskart's primary market opportunity extends well beyond the current eyewear consumers to an estimated 700 million to 800 million individuals who require corrective lenses but remain undiagnosed or underserved.

ALSO READ: Lenskart Q1 Results: Profit Soars Nearly 4x As Margins Expand; Revenue Up 43%

The Structural Penetration Gap

Eyewear adoption in India and Southeast Asia continues to lag developed nations. In US, roughly 88% of people requiring corrective lenses wear them, compared to 35% in India and 40% across several Southeast Asian nations. Rising screen time, lifestyle shifts, and heightened eye-health awareness are expected to expand the addressable market well beyond conventional projections.

Given India's stark shortage of optical retail infrastructure relative to other retail sectors, the management plans to open thousands of additional retail outlets domestically. The brand's pricing architecture ranges from $5 entry-level frames to $500 premium offerings, positioning it to capture demand across diverse income brackets, according to the brokerage.

ALSO READ: Lenskart Has 10,000-Store Headroom, Global Expansion In Sight; Nomura Initiates With 'Buy'

Moats Built on Full-Stack Control

Bansal attributed Lenskart's defensive moat to a vertically integrated, full-stack model paired with aggressive technology deployment. By controlling design, manufacturing, testing infrastructure, and omni-channel distribution, the company maintains pricing flexibility while preserving product gross margins of approximately 70%, according to the brokerage.

Global expansion into mature and organized markets like Singapore and Japan is serving as both a top-line driver and an operational sandbox. Insights gained overseas in retail design, premium trends, and vision-care models are being channeled back into India, reinforcing the core domestic operation through localized, market-tailored formats.

ALSO READ: Lenskart Block Deal: Alpha Wave Ventures Likely To Sell Rs 1,313-Crore Stake, Floor Price Fixed

Margin Expansion to Follow Scale

Addressing profitability, management emphasized that operating leverage will follow scale. While near-term investments prioritize rapid store expansion and brand footprint, Lenskart maintains a long-term EBITDA margin target of 25%. Incremental catalysts, such as emerging insurance-backed vision-care coverage, are also projected to bolster adoption rates over time.

Following the discussion, brokerage Jefferies maintained an upbeat stance on Lenskart Solutions Ltd, assigning a price target of Rs 680 based on a 50x September 2028 estimated pre-Ind AS EBITDA multiple. The global brokerage cited slower broader industry expansion and intensifying retail competition as primary downside risks to watch.

ALSO READ: Lenskart's Bull vs Bear Case Comes Down To One Question: Is Its Growth Worth The Valuation?

Lenskart Q1 Results

Lenskart Solutions Ltd.'s net profit saw a 270% leap or 4x jump in its net profit to Rs 222 crore, according to financial results data for the first quarter of fiscal 2026-27. The firm's profit for the previous year was at Rs 60 crore.  The company's revenue was up 43% to Rs 2,714 crore, compared to Rs 1,894 crore in the year-ago period. The Ebitda (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation) saw a 76% jump to Rs 588 crore, compared to Rs 335 crore in the year prior. The Ebitda margin expanded to 21.7% to 17.7%. The first quarter of fiscal 2026 saw a one-time loss of Rs 10.4 crore.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/L9Dqix2

Read More

Flipkart Big Billion Days 2026 Dates Are Out: Bank Discounts, Deals Teased

Flipkart Big Billion Days Sale 2026 will commence in the second week of October, the e-commerce giant announced on Wednesday. Apart from this, a dedicated microsite for the sale event is now live in the country, teasing the bank discounts, special deals, and offers that will be available to customers when the sale begins. Additionally, the company has confirmed that the Flipkart Big Billion Days Sale 2026 will offer early access to Flipkart Plus, Flipkart Black, and Flipkart Credit Card members. The upcoming Flipkart sale event is expected to offer various electronics at relatively low prices from reputable global brands.

Flipkart Big Billion Days Sale 2026 to Begin on October 9

A dedicated microsite for the Flipkart Big Billion Days Sale 2026 is now live in India, which confirms that the sale event will begin on October 9. However, the e-commerce giant will offer early access to Flipkart Plus, Flipkart Black, and Flipkart Credit Card members, allowing them to get their hands on the deals on October 8. On top of this, the company has confirmed that the sale event will offer an instant discount of up to 10 percent with Axis Bank and ICICI Bank cards.

Apart from this, customers will be able to save 10 percent with the Flipkart Axis Bank credit card. During the upcoming Flipkart Big Billion Days 2026 sale, Super Money by Flipkart will offer a cashback of 10 percent on the first transaction. However, buyers will also be able to make payments via UPI and other payment gateways.

The Flipkart Big Billion Days 2026 sale will also offer special deals and discounts to customers. The sale will feature multiple events, including “Price Crash”, “BBD Specials”, “Tick Tock Deals”, “Brand Hours”, “Double Discount”, and “Rush Hours. More details are expected to be revealed as the commencement date of the sale event draws close.

While the e-commerce giant has yet to reveal the deals, the Flipkart Big Billion Days 2026 sale is expected to offer a number of electronics in different categories, smartphones, PCs, laptops, true wireless stereo (TWS), washing machines, smart home appliances, refrigerators, and smartwatches, at relatively low prices. The sale event is expected to compete with Amazon's upcoming sale event.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/21O0dfi

Read More

Bethlehem Kudumba Unit: How A Rs 25-Crore Film Became Rs 300-Crore Blockbuster

Malayalam cinema has been having a wonderful run at the box office in recent times. In 2025, Lokah: Chapter 1 Chandra became the first Malayalam film to hit Rs 300 crores. This year, it is Bethlehem Kudumba Unit (BKU) that has grossed more than Rs 305 crore in just 25 days, making it Malayalam cinema's biggest box office hit.

Director Girish AD's romantic comedy, starring Nivin Pauly and Mamitha Baiju, is being hailed by both audiences and the film industry for alike for its refreshing story, superb performances and strong emotional connect. This film's extraordinary theatrical run has once again highlighted the growing reach and commercial potential of Malayalam cinema beyond Kerala.

But there is something particularly special about Bethlehem Kudumba Unit which has made this Rs 25 crore budget (reportedly) film rake in more than Rs 308 crore today.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bhavana Studios (@bhavanastudios)

According to Sacnilk, by Week 1, the movie had crossed Rs 52 crore at the Indian box office while by week 2 it had grossed more than Rs 102 crore. By week 3, it had grossed around Rs 135 crore in India. Today, it has collected Rs 308.40 crore worldwide with India contributing around Rs 173.40 crore. The movie grew word-of-mouth week on week and while the Onam release got people into theatres, the good content has kept them there.

Onam is a very important festival for the Malayalam audience and filmmakers mostly tend to target families and the overseas Kerala audience. Being a festival and with several days off work, Malayalam audiences take the opportunity to celebrate and watch films with family and friends. And this is what Bethlehem Kudumba Unit has been able to tap into with its strong content.

Producer and National Award winner G Dhananjayan is of the opinion that Bethlehem Kudumba Unit was a film that cut across all age groups and unanimously touched everyone emotionally. "Bethlehem Kudumba Unit is a fresh story, which brought in a lot of energy, feel-good emotions and nostalgic memories for many people. For men, it's like hoping for such unconditional love from a young girl. The movie's story and emotions resonated with both men and women and hence, it became such a huge success. This is also the first time a love story has appealed not only to youngsters but also to the middle-aged and elders as the theme connected with all of them. Thus, there is such a huge response to the film," he explains.

Bethlehem Kudumba Unit was not a spectacle film nor was it a big-budget one. It also didn't have a larger-than-life premise or star-driven scale. Produced by Bhavana Studios (Dileesh Pothan, Fahadh Faasil, Syam Pushkaran), the romantic comedy was very family-oriented.

Director Girish AD took an unconventional premise - the story of a young college-going woman who falls in love with a much older man - and narrated it with remarkable simplicity and emotional restraint adding some comic touches.

Rather than sensationalising the age-gap romance, the filmmaker presents it through a lens of tenderness, innocence and what can best be described as 'clean' emotions. This was one of the biggest factors why family audiences too appreciated the film and enjoyed the journey of Ashley (Mamitha Baiju) and Justin (Nivin Pauly).

In fact, this movie was Malayalam star Nivin Paul's biggest hit in his career and he credits it to family audiences. He told Variety, "This is my biggest hit so far. All credit goes to the team, especially director Girish AD. It was a wonderful script. The age-gap romance, the packaging, the humour... everything landed. Family audiences are the backbone of Indian cinema, in any language. If families like a film, ticket sales soar. Theatres are happy too - concession sales boom."

Director Girish AD is a director who has had numerous blockbusters to his credit like Thanneer Mathan Dinangal and Premalu. His stories and characters always resonate with the audience as he makes slice-of-life dramas with relatable characters and layers beneath an apparently simple surface. The story of Bethlehem Kudumba Unit, for instance, was a set in a particular neighbourhood and Girish brought in the residents living next to Ashley and Justin as highly relatable characters whom the audience could emotionally connect with.

This added more authenticity, warmth and humour to the setting and world that the director presented us. The director doesn't give us punch lines but unique behaviour patterns in flawed people that are humorous. For instance, Nivin Pauly in BKU attempts to create a heart with his hands but does it upside down because he's not familiar with Gen Z behaviour. And this act makes us giggle. Even the supporting characters (like the three sisters) are funny and have distinct but relatable personalities. Ultimately, Girish's understanding of human behaviour is what makes his films tick.

Bethlehem Kudumba Unit is a modestly budgeted, content-driven Malayalam film and Girish AD found the one thing that is extremely difficult to create - a broad emotional connection in the form of an age-gap romance.

Also Read | "She's A Natural": Bethlehem Kudumba Unit Director On Being Proud Of Mamitha Baiju's Success

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/wvdxpm8

Read More

Video: Ajith Kumar Loses Cool As Fan Tries To Take Selfie With Him

Ajith Kumar's recent racing outing at Silverstone has caught attention for a reason beyond the results. His team finished 38th overall in the Michelin Le Mans Cup race held in the United Kingdom, but a video from the event has now become a talking point among his fans.

The clip shows a fan coming close to Ajith to take a selfie. The actor looked uncomfortable with the situation and gave the fan an angry look as he tried to take a picture. Soon after, Ajith's bodyguard stepped in and politely asked the fan to move away.

The fan does not move closer or disturb the actor after that. Still, Ajith continues to look at him with a serious expression.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kokila Williams (@dr.kokilawilliams)

The video has received criticism as some users felt Ajith Kumar should not have looked upset.

Reacting to the post, a user wrote, “Even Hamilton doesn't behave like this.”

Another shared, “I honestly don't understand one thing about this world. If I run a shop or a company, my customers are the reason I earn money and live, so I would always respect them, speak to them politely, and value their time. The same applies to actors. People buy movie tickets, watch their films, follow them, and make them superstars. Their fame, wealth, and lavish lifestyle are possible because of the audience. So why do some people treat an actor like a god and even risk their lives or die for them? You are the customer. You are the one giving them the money, fame, and success. 

“Admire their talent, enjoy their movies, and support their work, but don't forget that they are successful because of you. They should value and respect their fans, not the other way around,” a comment read.

An individual stated, “I wait for the day when this guy goes to other cities for his racing games and nobody turns-up to see him, or cheer him or take pictures with him. I hope one day that happens and Tamil people will gain self respect.”

One more added, “If you want your privacy, we completely respect that. If you're with your family or having personal time, nobody has the right to disturb you for a photo or selfie. But when you're participating in a public sporting event, fans are naturally going to come.”

Another big moment from the Le Mans race was the meeting between Vijay and Ajith Kumar. Trisha Krishnan was also present at the event.

Ajith Kumar, who was last seen in Good Bad Ugly, will next appear in Adhik Ravichandran's Dare Devil.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/Ox617bS

Read More

Sooryavanshi On Verge Of Another 'Youngest' Record As India Face Afghanistan

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is set to break more records as India take on Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series, starting September 13. The 15-year-old is in line to play for India in the series, after winning the 'Player of the Series' award in his last international series against Zimbabwe. If he does play against Afghanistan, Sooryavanshi will become the youngest player from an ICC full-member nation to play international cricket in India. He will break Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb ur Rahman's record from 2018.

Mujeeb was 17 years and 78 days old when he played for Afghanistan in a Test against India in Bengaluru, in 2018. Sooryavanshi will comfortably break the record if he plays in the series.

Interestingly, Mujeeb and Afghanistan captain Ibrahim Zadran are both among the youngest players to play international cricket in India, and both could be playing against Sooryavanshi in the series.

Sooryavanshi already holds numerous age-related records in international cricket. Earlier this year, he broke Sachin Tendulkar's record of being the youngest-ever to debut for India.

The 15-year-old is set to compete with the likes of Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan for a spot in India's high-quality and highly competitive T20I top order. Abhishek Sharma's spot at the top appears to be secure.

Kishan, who slammed a combined 350 runs across two innings in the Duleep Trophy 2026 final just a few days ago, could miss out due to an injury. India T20I captain Shreyas Iyer provided an update on the situation, ahead of the match.

"I feel that he's comfortable at the moment. I interacted with him after the practice session. It was just a small niggle, and he's been playing continuous cricket. We all know the knock he played, so definitely a bit fatigued. But today he got that rest, and I'm sure that he will be fine for tomorrow," Iyer said.

On his preferred team combination, Iyer said he wanted players to have clarity about their roles while ensuring they feel needed by the team.

"Every individual, rather than knowing the role, it is important that they should have the awareness that the team requires them," he said.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/8xGkUbL

Read More