Times of India

In the world of Indian cinema—where fantasy meets formula—few tropes have persisted as stubbornly as the tendency to pair aging male superstars with much younger female leads. What was once accepted without question is now being challenged more vocally—by audiences, actors, and filmmakers alike. In this special feature, ETimes gathers unfiltered insights from industry insiders like Govind Namdev, Shenaz Treasury, Vivek Agnihotri, Anant Mahadevan, Rahul Bhat who lay bare the gendered dynamics of Indian cinema’s most controversial romantic formula.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ruled that "deemed confirmation" cannot supersede an employer's right to assess a probationer's suitability. Dismissing a petition by former judicial officer Ankur Lal, the court emphasized that automatic confirmation undermines the ability to evaluate work, conduct, and integrity.

Madras High Court has put a hold on the suspension of a Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development student who was penalized for painting 'Jai Bhim' and 'Free Palestine' graffiti in his hostel room. Justice T V Thamilselvi instructed the institute to allow the student, S Aslam, to attend exams and participate in the internship program.

UP MLA Abbas Ansari, son of the late Mukhtar Ansari, received a two-year prison sentence in a 2022 hate speech case, potentially leading to his disqualification as a legislator. The sentencing stems from threats he made against government officials during the assembly poll campaign. While granted temporary bail to appeal, the conviction jeopardizes his position under the law.

Heavy rains triggered by a depression over Bangladesh and Meghalaya have caused widespread devastation across five northeastern states, resulting in at least 32 deaths due to landslides and floods. Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh are the most affected, with houses collapsing, villages inundated, and transportation disrupted.

The Bombay High Court declared Hemang Shah's arrest illegal due to the police's failure to produce him before a magistrate within 24 hours. Justices Gauri Godse and Somasekhar Sundaresan ordered his immediate release from Arthur Road Jail, citing a violation of Article 22(2) of the Constitution.

In a tragic incident in Bengal's Alipurduar, three members of a family, including a 35-day-old infant, lost their lives in an elephant attack. A herd of 20 elephants entered Kunjanagar village, and a stray tusker trampled Manoj Das to death. His mother, Makhanrani, and infant daughter, Manisha, were also killed in the attack as she rushed to help.

Vishnu Gupta, the Hindu Sena national president, has urged an Ajmer court to dismiss responses from the dargah committee and ASI denying the existence of a Shiva temple beneath the Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti dargah. Gupta, in his rejoinder, reaffirmed his claim and right to worship at the site, dismissing the respondents' replies as obstructing justice.

Following the death of Maoist commander Basavaraju, Devji's granddaughter, Itlu Suma Tipiri, has made an emotional appeal for him to surrender. In a video message, Suma urges her grandfather, a potential successor to Basavaraju, to return home. She questions the state's anti-Maoist operations while expressing the family's longing for his return.

Shanti Ekambaram, Kotak Mahindra Bank's Deputy MD, will retire in October 2025 after three decades. Her departure follows Uday Kotak's exit and other senior leaders, including KVS Manian. Paritosh Kashyap is appointed as whole-time director, pending approval. Ekambaram's exit adds to the list of senior leaders who have exited since Uday Kotak's early retirement.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri's US visit focused on strengthening economic and financial ties, including FATF coordination, crucial for India's efforts to address terror financing. Discussions also covered defense partnership enhancement through co-production, joint exercises, and information sharing. Both nations reviewed trade agreements, technology cooperation, and streamlining export regulations to bolster the bilateral agenda.

Kolkata's Iskcon Rath Yatra chariot, carrying Lord Jagannath, will roll on new Sukhoi fighter jet tyres, replacing the old Boeing 747 tyres. This change comes after a steering snag last year and a two-decade search for suitable replacements. The MRF-manufactured tyres will enhance manoeuvrability, safety, and stability, especially on Kolkata's tram-tracked roads, ensuring a smoother Yatra experience.

Salman Khurshid's recent remarks backing the nullification of Article 370 have stirred unease within the Congress party, especially after Shashi Tharoor's comments on surgical strikes. Khurshid, part of an all-party delegation, defended the abrogation in Indonesia, highlighting the subsequent elections and perceived prosperity in Jammu & Kashmir.

Following the Golden State Warriors' playoff exit, Stephen Curry and his wife, Ayesha, are enjoying a relaxing beach vacation. They shared intimate moments on social media, highlighting their strong bond. Beyond their getaway, they've been spotted at events like BottleRock, balancing personal time with entrepreneurial ventures as Stephen prepares for the upcoming NBA season.

In May, relentless shelling in Poonch near the LoC claimed 14 civilian lives and wounded over 65, leaving a trail of devastation and fear. Homes were destroyed, families displaced, and a seminary was attacked, resulting in casualties and false accusations against a religious teacher. While authorities offered support, the community grapples with loss, trauma, and lasting scars.

Former Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand's trade to the Florida Panthers has sparked mixed reactions among Bruins fans, despite the Panthers reaching the 2025 Stanley Cup Finals. While some fans criticize the Bruins' management for letting Marchand go, others believe it was a mutually beneficial decision, allowing him a shot at the Cup.

SpiceJet's Delhi-Pune flight SG-477, carrying approximately 150 passengers, reached its destination nearly four hours late on Friday. The flight, initially scheduled for a 3:25 pm departure, faced delays due to a last-minute technical issue. Passengers were kept waiting inside the aircraft for around three hours, causing frustration.

Karun Nair's double century propelled India A to a formidable 557 against England Lions in their unofficial Test. In response, the Lions displayed resilience, reaching 237 for 2 at stumps on Day 2. Tom Haines led the charge with an unbeaten 103, supported by Max Holden's fluent 64, setting up an intriguing Day 3.

Starting June 1, 2025, WhatsApp will discontinue support for older iPhones lacking iOS 15.1 and Android devices below version 5.1. This update, delayed from May 5th, aims to enhance security and performance by leveraging newer OS features. Affected users are advised to upgrade their devices, explore alternative messaging apps, or back up their chats to avoid service disruptions.

The NIA conducted searches across 15 locations in 8 states, investigating a CRPF personnel, Moti Ram Jat, accused of sharing classified information with Pakistani intelligence officers. Jat, now dismissed and in custody, allegedly leaked sensitive data since 2023 in exchange for funds.