Entertainment roundup: Rashmika Mandanna shares Pushpa 2 BTS pics; Beyoncé announces new album; Triptii Dimri in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3; Vidya Balan files FIR

Pushpa director Sukumar; and actor Rashmika Mandanna, who will essay the role of Srivalli in Pushpa: The Rule, slated for release on August 15, 2024. (Photos via X/ @PushpaMovie and @iamRashmika)

1.   ‘Pushpa 2: The Rule’: Rashmika Mandanna shares behind the scenes photos: Actor Rashmika Mandanna shared BTS photo of director Sukumar from the sets of the Allu Arjun and Fahadh Faasil-starrer ‘Pushpa 2: The Rule’. In the photo, Sukumar can be seen resting his hands on the head of a life-size, golden lion - Mandanna has captioned the picture ‘Candidly posing’. The much-anticipated sequel to 'Pushpa: The Rise' is slated for an Independence Day 2024 release. Read More

2.   Elvish Yadav issues statement after video of him slapping a man goes viral, says ‘reacted in my style’: YouTuber Elvish got into a fight at a restaurant in Jaipur. The video of the ‘Bigg Boss OTT 2’ winner, that went viral, showed him slapping a stranger twice. Soon after, Elvish Yadav released an audio statement claiming the stranger had shouted obscenities and abuses at him and that he has no regrets about retaliating. Read More 

3.    Arijit Singh’s new song in Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies touches emotional chords: The release of the romantic, emotional song Sajni, sung by Arijit Singh, written by Prashant Pandey and composed by Ram Sampath, for Aamir Khan's ex-wife Kiran Rao's second film Laapataa Ladies, after a 14-year gap since Dhobi Ghat. The film released in theatres on March 1. Read More

4.   Beyoncé announces new album and two new singles at the Super Bowl 2024: During the Super Bowl 2024 on February 12, pop star Beyoncé’s new tracks were announced. The 32-times Grammy-winning singer-songwriter took to her Instagram page to share about her two new tracks, Texas Hold 'Em and 16 Carriages. These country-themed singles are a part of her eighth studio album titled Act II. The artiste hasn’t taken a break after her Renaissance World Tour that concluded in October 2023, and has announced this second portion of the three-part Renaissance project. The album is slated to be out on March 29. Read More

Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and pop icon Beyoncé.

5.    Badshah rocks it at the UAE debut of the Untold Festival 2004: Indian hip hop artist Badshah, aka Aditya Prateek Singh Sisodia, 38, performed at the inaugural Dubai Untold Festival (ranked #6 in the world in DJ Mag's Top 100) at Expo City on February 16. The rapper, singer-songwriter made history by becoming the first desi hip hop artiste to be a part of the four-day festival (February 15-18), along with international musicians like Armin Van Buuren, Ellie Goulding, Tiesto, Bebe Rexha, Mazor Lazer, Paul Kalkbrenner, Timmy Trumpet and Hardwell. Badshah paid tribute to the late Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala and flaunted the Indian flag on stage. Read More

Kartik Aaryan had earlier teased the announcement of a new actress joining the Bhool Bhulaiyaa franchise. On February 21, 2024, he revealed on X (Twitter) and Instagram that the 'mystery girl' is indeed Triptii Dimri. (Photos via X/ @tripti_dimri23 @TheAaryanKartik)

6.   Triptii Dimri replaces Kiara Advani in Diwali 2024 release Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3: Kartik Aaryan shared on social media that actor Triptii Dimri has joined the cast of horror comedy film Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, which is now scheduled to release on Diwali - November 1, 2024. Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 has many new things that weren't there in the first two blockbuster instalments in the franchise. The latest among them: Triptii Dimri has joined the cast of the horror comedy film along with Kartik Aaryan, Elnaaz Norouzi and Naseeruddin Shah. Vidya Balan, Sara Ali Khan and Boman Irani are expected to make an appearance too. Read More 

7.   Vidya Balan files FIR against impersonator who promised work for money, warns followers on Instagram stories: Bollywood actress Vidya Balan filed an FIR at the Khar Police station, Mumbai Police, against someone who created a fraudulent Instagram account, email and WhatsApp number, using her name to dupe people. The imposter who allegedly posed as the actress, falsely promised work opportunities to people and extorted money. The FIR was registered under Section 66 (C) of the IT Act pertaining to punishment for online identity theft. The crime is punishable with a jail term of up to three years and a fine up to Rs 1 lakh. Balan took to social media to warn fans against the digital impersonator. Read More