Rajpal Yadav has said that the ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’ universe is still an incomplete story, and he wants Chhota Pandit to come face to face with Manjulika. The actor, who is closely associated with the horror-comedy franchise through his colorful character, said the first film still sticks with him because of its psychological twist and Vidya Balan’s performance. He also shared that he believes that Chhota Pandit’s journey has not reached its full stop yet.

Rajpal Yadav on the impact of ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’

In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Bubble, Rajpal talked about the horror film that left a deep impact on him. He chose ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’ and recalled how the film went beyond the routine scares.He said, “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 1, woh psychological jo tha usin Vidya Balan jab pehli mein jab hamara role tha to hi” (Bhool Bhulaiyaa 1, woh psychological elements in us, Vidya Balan in the first part, and of course I had a role in that).Rajpal said that even after watching it again and again, the film continues to surprise him. “But there were actually some things in that movie, something current that made it so that no matter how many times I watched it, and I have seen so many movies, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 1 still feels like what people say, reel reality.” is an illusion).

Rajpal Yadav on Chhota Pandit vs Manjulika

Rajpal then said that there is still room for Chhota Pandit and Manjulika tracks in the franchise. He said, “Even now, I feel that Bhool Bhulaiyaa is still incomplete.”He explained, “Because only Pandit has seen Manjulika, Chhota Pandit has seen her in the first part and since then Rang-Biranga Ghoom Raha Hai aur Mila Abhi Tak Nahi Hai Manjulika Se” (Because only Pandit has seen Manjulika, Chhota Pandit has seen her in the first part and since then Rang-Biranga Ghoom Raha Hai aur Mila Abhi Tak Nahi Hai Manjulika Se) (Because only Pandit has seen Manjulika, Chhota Pandit has seen her in the first part and has been roaming around colorfully since then, but has not met Manjulika yet).Rajpal said that a proper ‘Chhota Pandit vs. Manjulika’ story could take the franchise in a different direction. The actor was last seen in ‘Bhoot Bangla’ with Akshay Kumar Priyadarshan. He will next be seen in ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ and is reportedly a part of Salman Khan’s untitled film with Dil Raju.

New Delhi: A day after stepping down as Karnataka Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah joined his successor DK Shivakumar In Delhi for a fresh round of consultations with the Congress leadership, as the party shifts its focus from leadership change to shaping the next government.The two leaders met Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge amid discussions on Cabinet formation, the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections and Siddaramaiah’s future role within the party.The meetings are taking place as the Congress works to manage the post-transition phase in Karnataka and strike a balance before the formation of the new government under the leadership of Shivakumar.

Congress has focused its attention on cabinet formation

Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar met Rahul Gandhi and Kharge before holding discussions with Sonia Gandhi at her 10 Janpath residence. According to party sources, the talks focused on the composition of the new cabinet, Rajya Sabha nomination and the role of Siddaramaiah after his resignation.

Shivkumar with Congress leader Kharge

Sources told news agency PTI that Siddaramaiah thanked Rahul Gandhi for giving him the opportunity to serve the state and informed him that he had resigned from the post of chief minister.It is understood that the veteran Congress leader expressed his views on the new power system in Karnataka. Reports also suggest that he is not keen on moving to Delhi for a national role, preferring to remain engaged in state politics.

Siddaramaiah with Congress President Kharge

Siddaramaiah was accompanied by Karnataka ministers Priyank Kharge and KJ George as well as his son and MLC Yatindra Siddaramaiah.

Shivakumar’s emotional note for Siddaramaiah

Shivakumar issued his first public statement after Siddaramaiah’s resignation, praising the outgoing chief minister’s political journey and his contribution to Karnataka.Describing Siddaramaiah’s rise from a village in Mysuru district to the chief minister’s office as an example of perseverance and public service, Shivakumar said his life showed how opportunity, when matched with hard work and commitment, can shape a remarkable political career.“God doesn’t give blessings or curses. He only gives opportunities. What really matters is what we make of those opportunities.” Shivakumar said, the life of Siddaramaiah Avaru is one of the best reflections of this idea.Adhering to the adage, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together”, he said he looked forward to continuing the journey together for the welfare of the people of Karnataka.

what happens next?

With the process of change of power formally beginning, the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) is expected to meet soon to elect its new leader. The party high command may also appoint a central observer to monitor the process.After being elected, the new CLP leader will meet Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot and stake claim to form the government. The Governor is expected to verify the majority of the Congress legislature party before inviting the nominated Chief Minister to form the government. Karnataka CLP meeting will be held on Saturday at 4 pm.The incoming chief minister, expected to be Shivakumar, will later submit a list of ministers to form the new cabinet before the swearing-in of the Council of Ministers.Cabinet structure has emerged as the next challengeThe composition of the cabinet is expected to be one of the most sensitive issues in the coming days. There is speculation that the Congress leadership may try to accommodate leaders considered close to Siddaramaiah in the new government to maintain organizational balance and ensure a smooth transition.The distribution of ministerial portfolios, possible appointment of deputy chief ministers and representation for various factions within the party are all expected to be included in the next round of consultations.Sources told news agency PTI that Siddaramaiah may seek a place for his son and his loyalists in the new Karnataka cabinet, including the post of Deputy Chief Minister.Although the leadership question has been resolved, the coming days will determine both Siddaramaiah’s influence in the new dispensation and the final shape of the Karnataka government under Shivakumar.

Akshay Kumar praised Punjab sprinter Gurindervir Singh, who created history by clocking 10.09 seconds at the National Senior Athletics Federation Competition 2026 in Ranchi and became India’s fastest runner in the 100m event. Despite early setbacks and coaches asking him to change events, Gurindervir persevered and proved his doubters wrong.

Akshay Kumar joined in the praise of Punjab Sprinter Gurindervir Singh, who etched his name in the history books by becoming the fastest Indian man in the 100m event. At the 29th National Senior Athletics Federation Championships 2026 held in Ranchi, Gurindervir performed brilliantly by clocking 10.09 seconds, making him the first Indian athlete to complete the men’s 100 meters race in sub 10.1 seconds. On this historic achievement, there was applause from every corner of the country including the stalwarts of the cricket world. Sachin Tendulkar And Yuvraj Singh Also congratulating him. Akshay was also very impressed with the achievement, praising the sprinter and saying that his record-breaking race challenged and changed long-held perceptions about Indian athletes in the world of sprinting.

Akshay Kumar says success of Gurinderveer Singh has changed Rai forever

The actor praised Gurindervir from X and called it a defining moment for Indian athletics. Sharing a photo of the young sprinter, Kumar expressed his surprise at the achievement, saying that he had been following the news of Gurindervir becoming India’s fastest man and was “seriously amazed” by what he has achieved. The actor reflected on how the 100m race was long seen as a foreign arena, dominated by international athletes, while many dismissed the possibility of an Indian competing. With this success, Kumar said, those opinions have now changed for good.

Akshay Kumar is proud of Gurindervir Singh’s association with the armed forces and his Punjabi roots.

Apart from the record breaking race, Akshay Kumar has got more reasons to celebrate Gurinderveer. The actor expressed pride not only in the sprinter’s remarkable achievement on the track, but also in his ties with the armed forces and the fact that the young athlete is from Punjab, a connection that apparently struck a deep chord with Kumar.

Gurinderveer Singh’s journey from self-doubt to becoming India’s fastest man

Gurindervir’s spectacular run means more than just breaking a record. His performance also earned him qualification for the Commonwealth Games and asian gamesWhich is a huge achievement in itself. But his journey till here was not easy. In a chat with Sportstar, the 25-year-old talked about his early days as a sprinter and how many coaches told him to leave the 100m and go for the 400m event instead. At that time many people believed that Indian athletes did not have the right physical structure to perform well in short distance running. But Gurinderveer did not give up nor listen to negative things. He continued to work hard, stay focused and believe in himself. Today, that belief has paid off beautifully, as he stands out as one of the most exciting young athletes in Indian sports.

Akshay Kumar’s upcoming projects: From ‘Golmaal 5’ to alien thriller ‘Saimuk’

On the work front, Akshay Kumar has a packed lineup ahead. The actor is gearing up for many exciting projects including ‘Welcome to the Jungle’, ‘Haivaan’ and ‘Golmaal 5’. He will also be seen in the much talked about alien action thriller ‘Samuk’, which will release on the big screens in 2027.

The British Museum has postponed a lecture on the ancient kingdoms of Israel and Judah that was scheduled as part of Jewish Culture Month because of planned disruptions that could prevent the event from taking place.The talks, scheduled for Thursday, were postponed after the museum said it had learned that a large number of registered attendees intended to disrupt the proceedings, the BBC reports.In a statement, the museum said the decision was taken to ensure that the event could be held in a safe and respectful environment rather than being derailed by the protests.The museum later confirmed that the lecture, titled Ancient History of Israel and JudahWill be rescheduled for early next month and also livestreamed to accommodate widespread public interest.“We were informed that a significant portion of registered attendees were individuals intentionally intending to disrupt the event,” the museum said, adding that it is committed to providing a space where history and culture can be explored “openly, respectfully and without disruption.”The event is part of Jewish Culture Month, a nationwide event launched by the Board of Deputies of British Jews to celebrate Jewish history, culture and creativity through more than 100 events across the UK.The Board of Deputies called the postponement “deeply regrettable” but said it was working with the museum to rearrange the lectures.“This Jewish Culture Month sees many of Britain’s great cultural institutions partner with us in celebrating British Jewish culture, community and creativity and we will not allow the actions of extremists to stop the British public from enjoying these events,” the organization wrote on Twitter.The decision also drew criticism from the Campaign Against Antisemitism, which argued that the postponement reflected the wider challenges facing Jewish cultural events in Britain.Meanwhile, Tory leader Kami Badenoch urged the government to ensure the event can go ahead, saying Jewish cultural activities were increasingly being canceled or disrupted.The lecture was to be given by Paul Collins, Curator of the Middle East Department at the British Museum, and set out to examine the archaeological and historical evidence relating to the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah between approximately 900 BC and 50 BC.

This image from video provided by KDFW FOX 4 shows a large fire at an apartment complex in Dallas on Thursday, May 28, 2026. (Image credit: KDFW via FOX 4 AP)

At least three people, including a child, were killed and five others were injured Thursday when a gas explosion in the Oak Cliff neighborhood of Dallas caused a massive fire and destroyed a two-story apartment building.As firefighters worked the scene, friends and relatives of nearby residents gathered, many of whom were unable to reach their loved ones. This building located south of downtown Dallas was transformed into a black circle. A huge plume of black smoke was visible for miles, the AP reported.Dallas Fire-Rescue Deputy Chief Mark Berry said crews were already responding to a report of a gas leak when the explosion occurred. “We had cavalry coming in,” Berry said. “But the explosion had already happened.”Local natural gas provider Atmos Energy said in a statement that fire officials informed them that a construction crew unrelated to the company had damaged a pipeline near the site. Natural gas service was discontinued in the area. Company officials were at the scene working with investigators.Resident Cassie Proctor said her mother had smelled gas inside the building the day before, but she didn’t think much of it at the time. Proctor was not home at the time of the explosion. She was heartbroken that her cat, Shirley, was trapped inside the debris. Pointing to the clothes she was wearing, she said, “I’ve been sitting there crying for hours. I don’t know what to do. I have everything right here.”He spent the afternoon talking with neighbors who had evacuated. One of them was a girl who was taking care of her younger sister at home. The girl took both the child and their dog to a safe place.Dozens of firefighters reached the scene. Some trained hose on smoldering debris. Others removed burnt wood and debris by hand and searched for anyone trapped below. Dallas Fire-Rescue Assistant Chief James Russ provided an update from the scene. “The fire has been brought under control, but our members are still working at the spot for primary search,” he said.Spokesman Jason Evans said crews had searched less than half of the scene by hand as of late Thursday night. Excavation will be required in some areas. He did not rule out finding more victims. It is also not clear how many residents were living in the complex at the time of the blast. “It was huge,” Evans said of the fire.Authorities set up a family reunification center at a nearby high school. Hours after the explosion, Francis Rizzo was still trying to reach a friend who lived in the building. “She’s not answering her phone,” Rizzo said.Neighbors described the intensity of the explosion. Julie Jensen lived less than a block away. She was sitting on her sofa watching TV when the explosion occurred. “Stuff flew off our walls,” she said. When he looked outside, smoke was rising and neighbors were running away. She grabbed her cat and left, waiting in a nearby parking lot until it was safe to return.Sal de la Rosa was at work at a nearby auto repair shop. “Suddenly, we heard and felt this huge boom. We felt the building shake a little bit,” he said. A co-worker came out and saw thick black smoke rising into the air.

Kerala’s LOP Pinarayi Vijayan

New Delhi: Leader of opposition and former Chief Minister in Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan It rained heavily on the Center and BJP Amidst the ongoing controversy over the presentation ofVande Mataram‘In Kerala Assembly. He alleged that singing the full version of the national anthem was ‘part of the RSS agenda’.Vijayan said there is no need to stand up when the entire version of ‘Vande Mataram’ is sung or only the first two verses are sung.“It was already made clear that there is no need to sing Vande Mataram in its entirety. There are no other constraints on this issue. In fact, there is no need to stand when only the first two verses of Vande Mataram are sung. Singing the full version of Vande Mataram is part of the agenda of the RSS. The entire song was presented during the swearing-in ceremony, which should not have happened. After that experience, it seems the government has taken a tough decision. This is the approach that should be adopted,” he said.His comments came after the BJP accused the Kerala Assembly of disrespecting the national anthem by not presenting the full version of ‘Vande Mataram’ during Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar’s policy address last Friday.Before and after the Governor’s address, a band team played only the opening verses of the national anthem.Senior BJP leader and Kazhakkoottam MLA V Muraleedharan alleged that there was a Central government directive to require full rendition of ‘Vande Mataram’ at events attended by the Governor, but claimed that the Kerala Assembly did not follow it.“This is an insult to Lok Bhavan and the Honorable Governor. The national anthem, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary, has also been disrespected, the former Union minister said in a Facebook post.Muraleedharan further accused the VD Satheesan-led UDF government of bowing before ‘Jamaat-e-Islami and CPI(M).’“It is clear from this that the government is accepting their argument that the national anthem is not in line with secularism,” he alleged.The BJP leader also questioned the Congress party’s stand on ‘Vande Mataram’ and said the song was first sung at the Congress national conference in 1896.“We register our protest strongly,” he said.Earlier, during the swearing-in ceremony of the newly formed UDF cabinet led by Chief Minister VD Satheesan, ‘Vande Mataram’ was sung in full. CPI(M) and other left parties objected to the entire rendition and argued that parts of the song were not appropriate in a secular and pluralistic society.In a statement earlier this week, the CPM state secretariat said the decision to present the full version goes against the earlier stance adopted by the Congress Working Committee in 1937, which had recommended deletion of parts of the song.The party also cited the Constituent Assembly discussions in 1950 and claimed that only the first eight lines of ‘Vande Mataram’ were accepted for official use as the national song.According to the CPM, parts of the songs reflect specific religious beliefs and their inclusion in official state ceremonies is not in line with India’s secular traditions.The party further alleged that clauses previously excluded from official use were included during the swearing-in ceremony.The CPM also pointed out that even in BJP-ruled states, including West Bengal, traditional full presentations were not given during the swearing-in ceremony.Amid the controversy, Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar strongly criticized the Left parties and accused them of disrespecting the national anthem and indulging in appeasement politics.“In an attempt to hide the embarrassment of being completely rejected by the people, the CPI(M) has now come forward to question Vande Mataram,” he said.Chandrasekhar said, “Insulting the nation for mere political survival can never be called secularism. A developed Kerala requires unity, harmony and a secure society.”Meanwhile, according to PTI, the newly formed Kerala government clarified that the state administration had no role in deciding the schedule of the swearing-in ceremony and said the event was entirely organized by Lok Bhavan.

Indian-origin teenager Shrey Parikh has achieved what millions of young spellers dream of. The 14-year-old from Rancho Cucamonga, California won the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee on May 28 at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, DC. He defeated runner-up Ishan Gupta in a dramatic spell-off final. During the tie-breaker, Parikh spelled 32 words correctly in just 90 seconds. The performance set a new spell-off record and secured its place in the competition’s 101-year history. The win was particularly significant as it was Parikh’s third appearance at the national competition, completing a journey that saw him finish 89th in 2022 and third in 2024 before ultimately claiming the championship.

Credit Parikh’s spelling journey to win America’s largest spelling contest

Shrey Parikh is a 14-year-old Indian-American student currently enrolled in eighth grade at Day Creek Intermediate School in Rancho Cucamonga, California, sponsored by the San Bernardino County School Superintendent. Rather than being a one-dimensional academic, Shrey is known to be a well-rounded individual with rich interests. He is an accomplished musician, playing a remarkable variety of instruments including snare drum, bass drum, timpani, toms, break drum, triangle, glockenspiel, marimba, piano and ukulele.He is also multilingual. From a young age, Shrey has spoken several languages, including three Indian dialects, reflecting his deep Indian heritage. His principal at John L. Golden Elementary School, where Shrey studied before moving on, described him as “accomplished in all subjects”.Shreya’s relationship with competitive spelling began remarkably early. John L. in Rancho Cucamonga. As a fourth grader at Golden Elementary School, he won the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools Spelling Bee, earning him a spot in the 2022 Scripps National Spelling Bee, his first appearance on the national stage. He finished 89th that year, which was a solid start for such a young student.In 2024, Shreya made a comeback and finished third with Bruhat Mon Won the championship and Faizan Zaki finished second. Shreya earned $12,500 in prize money. That result indicated that he was firmly one of the elite young magicians in the country.Then there was a tremendous shock. Shrey had missed his school last year when he was battling fever and failed to fully qualify for the national competition. This was a severe blow. He took six months off from spelling before reopening his Merriam-Webster dictionary.With 2026 being her final year of eligibility, and contestants must not have graduated beyond the eighth grade or be older than 15, Shrey approached the season with all-or-nothing intensity. His coaching team included Sam Evanswho has coached each of the last three champions; Soham Sukhatankar, himself co-champion in 2019; and Vijaya Ganesh, a longtime coach and mother of a former speller.The 14-year-old works with three instructors, pays for word lists and study guides, and tries to learn every Greek and Latin root, every language pattern, and every spellable word he can find. He also competes in online bees throughout the year which pits him against other top spellers in the country. Shrey said she practiced five hours a day to prepare for the spelling bee.He arrived in Washington as one of the clear favorites and he did not disappoint.

2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee: The Night in Details

The 2026 event featured 247 participants from the United States and its territories. After two preliminary rounds, the field was narrowed down to eight finalists for the Thursday night showdown at the DAR Constitution Hall.The slim Shreyas, dressed in a business-casual look with a dark long-sleeved collared shirt, khakis and sneakers, walked to the microphone with a serious expression, which quickly disappeared when he heard his words from announcer Jacques Bailey and nodded vigorously, saying he knew the answer.The alarm bell did not ring until the third round, in which four contestants were eliminated within a matter of minutes. By the end of the seventh round, only Parikh and Gupta were left. When both successfully uttered their words in the next round, the spell began.

Enchantment: 90 seconds, 32 words, a record broken

The spell-off format introduced in 2021 is as exciting as it is brutal. Each speller had 90 seconds to spell as many words as possible. As one participant competed, the other was wearing headphones, unable to hear the words being read.The credit was extraordinary. Parikh spelled 32 words correctly out of 35 she attempted in 90 seconds to win the title and broke the previous spell-off record set in 2024 by Bruhat Soma, who spelled 29 words correctly out of 30. Parikh crushed 32 words to Gupta’s 25, and finished on “kasha”, a type of plant, and set a new spell-casting record.This was only the third time the Spell-Off had decided a spelling bee since the format began. Harini Logan won the first spell-off in 2022 with 22 words spelled in 90 seconds, while Bruhat Soma won in 2024 with 29.Scripps later announced that the championship word was “bromocriptine”, a polypeptide alkaloid derived from ergot that mimics the activity of dopamine.

The word that tested him the most

With all his patience, one word paused the credits during the final: “Bhubaneswar”, the capital of the Indian state of Odisha.He said, “I was 99% sure it had a ‘B’ in it, but doubt always lingers in the back of your mind, especially at that time.” “I knew I just had to stick to my guts and my instincts on that word.”He wrote it correctly and moved on.

Their reaction: joy, relief and liberation

After the win, Shrey said, “Right now I am probably the happiest I have ever been. I am feeling very happy and relieved and just a flood of emotions.”“Last year at my school, I was really depressed and very upset. It didn’t even sink in until the next day. I had a really hard time, but I’m glad I was able to bounce back.”On the spell-off itself, the credits were remarkably quiet.“Spelling fast is what I do every day,” he said, holding up a Scripps cup. “An enchantment came naturally.”He described the final round as feeling like “just another day of spelling”.On hearing the announcement confirming his victory, Shrey immediately turned and shook hands with Gupta.

Awards and recognition

As the 2026 champion, Shreya achieved an impressive feat. He received $52,500 in prize money along with reference works from Encyclopædia Britannica and Merriam-Webster, a custom trophy and commemorative medal, and $1,000 in flight credits from Delta Air Lines.He also conducted a meet and greet with an astronaut at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. A trip to Universal Orlando Resort theme park completes the prize package.Although this was the 98th bee, Shrey became the 111th champion as the competition has produced multiple co-champions over the years, including an eight-way tie in 2019.

A historic tradition of Indian-origin champions

Sreya’s win continues a remarkable trend of excellent performance by Indian-American students at the Scripps National Spelling Bee.Recent champions of Indian origin include Faizan Zaki (2025), Bruhat Soma (2024), Dev Shah (2023) and Harini Logan (2022), among many others. Notably, runner-up Ishaan Gupta is also of Indian origin, meaning both finalists this year have roots in the Indian subcontinent.For the first time in Bees history, the second and third place players in the same year won the championship. Faizan Zaki won in 2025 after finishing second in 2024, while Shrey Parikh won in 2026 after finishing third in the same year.

more than a speller

What makes Shrey Parikh’s story fascinating is not just the trophy. It’s the resilience, the fever that caused him to lose his chance to qualify, the months away from the spell and the determination to come back stronger. It’s the discipline of five hours of daily practice and a coaching team assembled for one final shot at glory.It’s also the calmness of the teenager who broke a national record and then described the achievement as “just another day of spelling”.As the 111th Scripps National Spelling Bee champion, Shrey Parikh is already a part of American educational history. However, for a 14-year-old boy who once walked away from school crying, this moment represents something even bigger. It’s a testament to what can happen when talent meets persistence.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Singapore Open 2026 quarter-finals.

India have four events on Friday, with the mixed doubles pair of PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty and Dhruv Kapila-Tanisha Crasto looking to book a place in the semi-finals of the Super 750 tournament.

Sindhu will face her toughest challenge yet as she will take on reigning Olympic champion and top seed Ann Se Young, while Lakshya will look to continue her impressive performance against Japan’s Koki Watanabe. Satwik and Chirag are also in action after battling a tough second-round match, while Dhruv and Tanisha will be hoping for an emphatic comeback win over Japan’s Yuta Watanabe and Maya Taguchi.

Stay tuned for live updates, scores and important moments from Singapore as India’s shuttlers try to make it to the last four.