saif ali khan Has said that it took him a long time to make his mark as an actor. Things started to change when he played the character of Sameer in the 2001 film ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ directed by Farhan Akhtar. After that, he became known as the stylish, modern man of Bollywood. But ten years ago, a very different kind of film showed a tougher and more serious side of him, which he later took forward in ‘Laal Kaptaan’ (2019), ‘Sacred Games’ and his new film ‘Kartavya’.

Saif Ali Khan looks back at the key achievements of his career

In an interview with Screen, Saif said, “When you look at his career, not everything is highlights. There are some highlights, and that’s quite good. Omkara is definitely something I’m proud of. Sacred Games in a way even more so. I don’t think there’s any connection between the two, but when you look back at some of the work that comes out in glitter letters, they stand out.”

The wake up call that changed Saif Ali Khan

The actor did not find this side of himself. It features a direct conversation with his mother, the veteran actor sharmila tagoreTo open his eyes. Saif recalls, “There was a time when he told me that you don’t look like a very interesting actor. You have to balance your choices and think more creatively. That was when I started taking things a little more lightly.” He doesn’t remember exactly when it happened, “It took a while, and there were a few phases”, but he has previously shared that it started when he told his mother he was excited to shoot a movie in France. He did not share his enthusiasm. Sharmila asked, “When will you tell me that you are playing an interesting role?” Saif takes it in good spirit and understands where she was coming from. “He saw more potential,” admits Saif with a smile. So, she was signaling me to wake up.”Saif argues, “I don’t know whether this should be seen as a relief or not.” He adds, “There have always been all kinds of filmmakers. There are some commercial people who have an eye on the Friday numbers, which means it requires a certain kind of energy, whatever it is, I don’t know. But then there are filmmakers with a more artistic scope, who had no option but to release their films that way.”

Why Saif Ali Khan thinks streaming is a game changer?

Saif believes that streaming has given filmmakers a new way to tell stories. He calls it “an important, alternative expression” given to some of these filmmakers. For them, it opens the door to stories that may never make it to the big screen. He further added, “There are some movies I would love to work on that people wouldn’t give a chance to release in theaters. But I think Netflix and other streaming platforms also want you to be entertained, so it’s ultimately competitive.”

Inside Medellín, Colombia, scientists are breeding millions of mosquitoes every week and then deliberately releasing them into the environment. At first, this may seem strange, especially since mosquitoes are known to spread dangerous diseases. But researchers say these insects are actually being used to prevent the spread of diseases like dengue, Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever. The project, partially supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and supported by the World Mosquito Programme, produces approximately 30 million mosquitoes every week. These mosquitoes carry a harmless bacteria called Wolbachia, which makes it very difficult for the virus to spread from mosquitoes to humans.

Inside the world’s largest mosquito factory backed by Bill Gates

The Medellin facility is one of the largest mosquito breeding centers in the world, producing millions of mosquitoes every week as part of an unusual public health mission. Scientists there mainly breed the Aedes aegypti species, which is known to spread diseases like dengue, Zika and chikungunya. Inside temperature-controlled laboratories, researchers carefully monitor every stage of the insects’ life cycle, from eggs and larvae to adult mosquitoes, before preparing the insects for release into nearby communities.What makes these mosquitoes different is a naturally occurring bacteria called Wolbachia. Scientists found that when Aedes aegypti mosquitoes carry Wolbachia, they are much less likely to spread the dangerous virus to humans. Mosquitoes are not genetically modified. Instead, researchers introduce the bacteria into mosquito eggs under laboratory conditions and then breed future generations with the same traits.Once released into the wild, these mosquitoes begin to mate with local mosquito populations, allowing the Wolbachia bacteria to spread naturally over time. As more mosquitoes carry the bacteria in an area, fewer are able to spread viruses like dengue. Researchers say the goal is not to eliminate mosquitoes completely, but to gradually replace populations of more dangerous mosquitoes with less harmful ones. That’s why scientists consider this program different from traditional pesticide spraying, which focuses on killing insects directly.Mosquitoes are released using several methods. In some neighborhoods, residents find small containers filled with naturally occurring mosquito eggs. In other areas, adult mosquitoes are released from vehicles or special containers. The local community is also extensively involved in the program, with residents helping scientists monitor mosquito populations and installing mosquito nets around their neighbourhoods.The project gained worldwide attention after Bill Gates visited the facility and later described it as one of the most promising new approaches to fighting mosquito-borne diseases. Today, the Medellín mosquito factory has become a symbol of how scientists are trying to fight global disease outbreaks by using biology rather than relying solely on chemicals and pesticides.Researchers say the goal is not to increase mosquito populations forever, but to gradually replace disease-carrying mosquitoes with less harmful ones.

The project has shown promising results

Studies from different countries have revealed encouraging results. In Indonesia, areas where Wolbachia mosquitoes were released showed a large reduction in dengue infections and hospital visits.Researchers in Colombia have also noted a sharp decline in dengue cases since the program began in Medellín in 2015.Scientists believe this method could become an important tool for countries where mosquito-borne diseases affect millions of people every year.

Conspiracy theories surrounding the Mosquito Project

The mosquito release program has also become the subject of online conspiracy theories, with viral social media posts claiming that the insects are “mutant mosquitoes”, part of secret experiments, or linked to population control efforts. After video and photos from the Colombian facility circulated online, some posts also suggested that the mosquitoes were deliberately genetically engineered to spread diseases.Scientists and health organizations involved in the program reject those claims. Researchers say the mosquitoes are not genetically modified and instead carry Wolbachia, a naturally occurring bacteria that is already found in many insect species. Experts say that this project is designed to reduce the spread of diseases like dengue and Zika.

A hope for global disease control

Mosquito-borne diseases infect millions of people every year, especially in tropical countries. Traditional methods such as chemical spraying and fumigation have struggled to completely stop outbreaks.Researchers believe that Wolbachia-based mosquito control could offer a safe and long-lasting solution. Rather than eliminating mosquito populations entirely, this method aims to make them less dangerous to humans.That’s why the Medellín mosquito factory has become an important symbol of a new approach to public health, where scientists are using biology to fight some of the world’s fastest-spreading diseases.

-Kabaddi player Sonu Nolta

Panchkula: Gopal Sukhomajri, who had unsuccessfully contested the last assembly elections as an independent from Kalka, has been arrested in the murder of Kabaddi player Sonu Nolta.According to Panchkula police, Gopal, the alleged mastermind, was absconding after the murder that took place in Amravati area last year. With his arrest, the total number of accused held in the case has reached 12.The resident of Sukhomajri village in Pinjore area was arrested on May 12 and produced in court the next day, where police obtained a one-day remand for questioning. After interrogation, he was taken into judicial custody on Thursday and admitted to Ambala jail.Police said Gopal played a key role in planning and executing the murder. During remand, investigators seized his mobile phone and gathered vital clues. Further investigation is underway to uncover the wider conspiracy and identify other accomplices.On June 5, 2025, Sonu Nolta was shot dead by armed assailants outside a mall in Amravati area of ​​Panchkula, after which investigation is going on by multiple teams.The investigation revealed that Gopal allegedly assisted the main shooters – identified as Piyush Piplani and Ankush Solanki – in evading arrest after the murder. They are also accused of conducting reconnaissance, arranging weapons, sharing the victim’s location and facilitating the overall conspiracy.Police said the accused had a long criminal record and was active in local politics. More than a dozen cases were registered against him between 2012 and 2022 in Panchkula, Ambala and parts of Himachal Pradesh, including attempts to murder, assault, charges under the Arms Act, Mining Act, NDPS Act and Prison Act.In the October 2024 assembly elections, he emerged as a surprise contender by securing 31,688 votes (21.71%) and stood third in the Kalka constituency after the BJP and Congress candidates.

Mumbai, May 15 (IANS) Bollywood star Jackie Shroff got emotional remembering his mother on Friday morning and shared an emotional video full of unseen childhood moments with his ‘mom’.

bollywood star jackie shroff He became emotional on Friday morning as he remembered his mother and shared an emotional video full of unseen childhood moments with his ‘mom’.The actor shared the emotional reel on his social media account with a simple caption, “Mom!”The video montage showed a series of rare and old photographs of Jackie’s mother from her younger days.Some of the pictures showed her smiling warmly in a saree, while the rest captured beautiful family moments from Jackie’s childhood days.In one touching frame, a young Jackie is seen sitting beside his mother, while another picture shows Jackie’s mother lovingly holding her grandsons Tiger and Krishna.The video montage also includes black-and-white family pictures from Jackie Shroff’s younger days.For the background score, Jackie chose Manna Dey’s soulful track “Maa Teri Surat Se Alag Bhagwan Ki Surat Kya Hogi”.For those unaware, Jackie has often spoken about his mother in many of his past interviews, highlighting how deeply attached he was to her.The actor’s mother Rita Shroff passed away in 2014. Jackie has often shared how his mother struggled to raise him and how her sacrifices shaped his life and career.Talking about Jackie Shroff’s professional front, the actor is currently preparing for his upcoming film The Great Grand Superhero – Arrival of Aliens, where he will be seen in the lead role as a grandfather with superhero abilities.The emotional fantasy-adventure story is directed by Manish Saini and will release on May 29, 2026.Its recently released trailer received an enthusiastic response from the audience.