Virat Kohli is the best ever across all formats: Michael Vaughan

High drama unfolded at the Thiruparankundram hill in Madurai as a standoff erupted between Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders and the police. The BJP leaders were attempting to climb the sacred hill to light a ceremonial Deepam, citing a Madras High Court order that permitted the ritual. However, police blocked the march, citing law and order concerns and noting that officials have approached the Supreme Court regarding the matter. A senior BJP leader at the protest accused the administration of preventing the ceremony, stating it is the 'DMK-led, Hindu-hating officials and authorities who have prevented this incident from happening'. After prolonged negotiations and scuffles, two BJP leaders were briefly allowed to proceed for prayers.

A political controversy is brewing in Tamil Nadu as the Congress party is reportedly seeking a ban on the film 'Parasakthi'. According to the report, the party has raised strong objections to the film's content. A letter, allegedly from the party's youth wing, calls for the movie to be banned, citing that 'the portrayal of particularly the former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi is quite distorted'. Further objections mentioned include the alleged glorification of former Chief Minister Karunanidhi, an anti-Hindutva message, and scenes depicting historical inaccuracies, such as a disputed visit by Indira Gandhi to Coimbatore on 12th February 1965. The party is reportedly calling for the removal of these scenes from the film.

India Today's Anagha Keshav reports on the escalating legal battle over actor-politician Vijay's film, 'Jananayagam'. A two-time National Award-winning producer has condemned the Censor Board for the delay, demanding an end to the recurring conflicts between filmmakers and the CBFC. Anagha Keshav notes the situation is 'quite unprecedented because we've not seen censor boards push with all their might against the release of a particular movie.' The Censor Board has filed a caveat in the Supreme Court, creating uncertainty about the film's release. The movie, which portrays Vijay as a future Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, is seen as a move to solidify his political standing, but now faces a significant legal challenge at the nation's highest court.

A controversy has erupted in Karnataka over the teaser for the movie 'Toxic', with the Aam Aadmi Party's state unit filing a formal complaint. AAP Karnataka State Secretary Usha Mohan, who filed the complaint with the Karnataka State Women's Commission, stated she was 'surprised and shocked, absolutely sick, uncomfortable to watch with the family.' . She argues that while the movie may be intended for audiences over 18, its teaser is easily accessible to minors on social media platforms like YouTube, which is 'definitely harmful to the society.' The complaint alleges the teaser contains obscene visuals and explicit content, prompting the Women's Commission to seek an explanation from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). . Mohan questioned the message filmmakers are sending to society and demanded the immediate removal of the content. .