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Kia India Brings ‘Kia Vibe Studio’ to Chandigarh for HYBE INDIA’s ‘Final Call’ Auditions, Celebrating Creativity and Youth Culture Chandigarh, India, 3 October 2026: Kia India, one of the country’s leading mass-premium automakers, is set to bring its immersive cultural experience to Chandigarh as part of its ongoing partnership with HYBE INDIA. Following the strong response to the HYBE INDIA Pop-Up Parks in Kolkata and Chennai, the experience now moves to Chandigarh with HYBE INDIA Audition: Final Call, creating an opportunity for participants to showcase their creativity and explore possibilities on a global stage. The Kia Vibe Studio will come alive at the Kia Engagement Zone at the HYBE INDIA Pop-Up Park on 04 October 2026 at Nexus Elante Mall, Chandigarh, offering visitors an engaging space to experience music, creativity and interactive entertainment. At the heart of the experience is the Kia Vibe Studio, uniquely housed inside the Kia Syros EV & Kia Sorento. The in-car content creation setup enables visitors to record and create high-quality, shareable performance videos, turning the vehicles into spaces for creativity and self-expression. Extending the experience beyond the Pop-Up Park, Kia India will also replicate the Kia Vibe Studio at Joshi Kia, Chandigarh, from 06 October 2026. The dealership extension will enable a wider audience to experience the Kia Vibe Studio and engage with the collaboration beyond the main event, creating an additional touchpoint where mobility, music and self-expression come together. Kia Syros EV and Kia Sorento HEV reinforce Kia India’s multi-powertrain strategy, offering customers a diverse range of mobility solutions across electric, hybrid and conventional powertrains. While the Syros EV strengthens Kia’s all-electric SUV portfolio, Sorento broadens customer choice with Smartstream 1.6 Turbo GDI Hybrid with 6AT and Smartstream 2.2 Diesel with 8DCT, with both powertrains available with AWD. The Sorento Hybrid, Kia India’s first hybrid offering, combines a 180 PS engine with a 65 PS electric motor, while the diesel powertrain delivers 193 PS and 442 Nm, further demonstrating Kia’s approach of providing multiple powertrain choices aligned with diverse customer needs. The Chandigarh leg marks the continuation of Kia India and HYBE INDIA’s collaboration, building on the successful Kolkata and Chennai Pop-Up Parks and bringing the HYBE INDIA Audition: Final Call experience to a new audience while creating opportunities for young visitors to express themselves through music and content creation. By extending the experience from the Pop-Up Park to Joshi Kia, Chandigarh, Kia India is also creating more opportunities for consumers to participate in and experience the initiative. Through such initiatives, Kia India continues to strengthen its connect with young audiences by going beyond mobility to engage with culture, creativity and new-age aspirations.

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*Rohit Sharma Reveals Why He Likes Playing Fast Bowling on Family Full House with Rohit Sharma* Sony Entertainment Television’s brand new family entertainment show *Family Full House with Rohit Sharma* brings together the Indian cricket star and a host of celebrities for an evening filled with entertaining interactions. In one such segment, actor *Rakesh Bedi* gets curious about *Rohit Sharma’s* batting technique and asks him how he decides where to play his shots when facing deliveries coming in at speeds of 140 kmph. Rakesh Bedi asks Rohit Sharma, "Rohit se ek sawaal poochna hai. I want to know ki jab 140 ki speed se ball aati hai, toh aap decide kaise karte ho yaar ise kahaan maarna hai, kaise maarna hai? Thoda technically pooch raha hoon.” Responding to his question, Rohit says, "Sir, technically main bhi bataunga. Log bolte hain aksar, aapne suna hoga commentary mein ki iske paas bahut time hai ye shot maarne ke liye, woh shot maarne ke liye. Lekin main bata raha hoon, utna time nahi hota hai." Rohit also adds, “Kyunki mera bachpan poora nikla tha concrete ke pitches aur AstroTurf pe khel kar. Toh wahan par kya hota hai, wahan par ball bilkul tez aata hai aur ball wahan par zyada swing nahi karta hai. Toh isi liye swing mein mujhe thoda dikkat hoti hai. Lekin uske alawa jab koi ball tez daalta hai, toh mujhe tez bowling pasand hai khelna.” Still curious about the process behind Rohit’s shot selection, Rakesh follows up, asking, "but how do you decide ki where you will hit the shot?" Rohit reveals that years of playing cricket have made the process instinctive for him. He says, “Woh aadat ho gaya hai abhi, khel khel ke. Instinct pe zyada chalta hai humara.” When Rakesh further asks, "on the bowler's action?", Rohit agrees and adds an interesting insight about facing certain bowlers, saying, “Haan, aur kuch bowlers hain duniya mein jinko mujhe ek hi jagah pe maarna pasand hai.” Rakesh then responds with a knowing remark, “Mujhe maaloom hai kahaan.” The response immediately gets the audience laughing, making for a fun and spontaneous moment on the show.

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After Five Years, Actress Tanishaa Mukerji Returns to the Screen with Director Kapil Kaustubh Sharma’s Multi-Decade Parsi-Set Story Tanishaa Mukerji’s return to the big screen comes with a character-driven story that has given filmmaker Kapil Kaustubh Sharma’s Zindagi Phir Bhi Khoobsurat Hai. Following the success of Margao Files, Kapil is stepping into the world of a slice-of-life drama that travels across decades and explores how people, relationships and emotions change with time. Set against the Parsi community of Mumbai, the film moves from the 1990s to 2025 and brings together elements of romance, humour and human emotion. At the heart of the film is Tanishaa Mukerji, whose character goes through different stages of life. For Kapil, casting her was not simply about bringing a familiar face back to the screen, but about finding an actor who could convincingly inhabit the character across different ages. Speaking about Tanishaa’s return and the film, director Kapil Kaustubh Sharma says, “Tanishaa is an actor who has a certain emotional quality that was very important for this character. The story moves across different stages of life, and I wanted someone who could bring honesty and depth to that journey. Zindagi Phir Bhi Khoobsurat Hai is a very personal film for me. It is about relationships, changing times and the beauty of ordinary life, and I believe Tanishaa has brought a very special sensitivity to the character.” The film also reflects Kapil’s interest in creating stories rooted in real environments. Several portions have been filmed in authentic Parsi homes across South Mumbai and Dadar Parsi Colony. Kapil has worked closely with members of the Parsi community while developing the film to ensure that its cultural details, mannerisms and dialect remain authentic. This attention to detail comes from Kapil’s own approach to filmmaking. From his debut with Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo to films such as Dunno Y Na Jaane Kyun, Dunno Y 2… Life Is a Moment and Love Is Love, his work has moved across different subjects and formats, with human relationships remaining an important element of his storytelling. Zindagi Phir Bhi Khoobsurat Hai sees Kapil take on multiple responsibilities. Apart from writing and directing the film, he is also producing it and appearing as an actor. He plays a Parsi character whose journey spans different ages, requiring him to undergo a physical transformation for the older portions of the story. The filmmaker has also drawn from his own cinematic memories for the project. The title Zindagi Phir Bhi Khoobsurat Hai was inspired by the song from the 1978 film Khatta Meetha, a film that introduced Kapil to the Parsi world on screen when he was young. The ensemble includes Sushmita Mukherjee, Kitu Gidwani, Pervein Dastur, Delnaaz Irani, Tanaaz Irani, Shahrukh Sirus Irani, Dolly Thakore and Ananya Dutta alongside Tanishaa. For Kapil, the film represents an opportunity to tell a quieter, more emotionally driven story while bringing an authentic slice of Mumbai and its Parsi community to the screen. Zindagi Phir Bhi Khoobsurat Hai is also expected to be taken on the international festival circuit before its theatrical release.

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*Navratri 2026: Falguni Pathak, Kinjal Dave, Gurdeep Mehndi and More Set to Rule the Garba Stage* Mumbai, October 2026: Garba has long been at the heart of Navratri celebrations, but the festival’s live music scene has grown well beyond a single sound. From artists who have become synonymous with Garba over the years to singers bringing influences from Bollywood, folk, classical and regional music, the Navratri stage today offers audiences a much wider musical experience. This year, several familiar names are set to headline major celebrations across Mumbai and Ahmedabad, bringing their individual styles to some of the biggest Garba gatherings. Falguni Pathak It is difficult to talk about Mumbai’s Navratri without mentioning Falguni Pathak. For generations of audiences, her voice has been part of the city’s Garba soundtrack, making her one of the most recognisable performers associated with the festival. Pathak will headline West Avenue Realty Navratri Utsav 2026 at Jio World Convention Centre, performing across all nine nights from October 11 to 19. Her continued presence on the Mumbai circuit is a reminder of just how enduring the connection between the singer and the city’s Navratri celebrations has become. Kinjal Dave Kinjal Dave has become one of the prominent contemporary voices in Gujarati folk and Garba music. Her energetic stage performances and strong repertoire of Gujarati songs have helped her connect traditional folk music with a younger audience. This Navratri, Dave is set to headline Kora Kendra Navratri 2026 in Borivali and will also perform at The White Garba at Dome, SVP Stadium. Her appearances are among the highlights of Mumbai’s Garba calendar this year. Parthiv Gohil For Parthiv Gohil, the Navratri stage is another space where his varied musical background comes into play. The singer has moved comfortably between Gujarati folk, classical music, Bollywood playback and ghazals during his career. Gohil has lent his voice to films including Devdas and Saawariya and has also been part of MTV Coke Studio India. That experience gives his live performances a repertoire that goes beyond conventional Garba, allowing him to move between folk, devotional and contemporary sounds. Aishwarya Majmudar Aishwarya Majmudar has been a familiar voice in Gujarati music since her early years as a singer and has also established herself in playback and live performance. For Navratri 2026, Majmudar is taking her Rangtaali format to Ahmedabad’s Swarnim Nagari AC Dome Garba, where she is scheduled to perform from October 11 to 20. Her performances bring together the traditional energy of Gujarati Garba with the scale and production of a contemporary live show. Gurdeep Mehndi Adding a different dimension to this year’s Navratri line-up is Gurdeep Mehndi. Best known for his work across Punjabi music, Bollywood and independent releases, Mehndi does not come from the traditional Gujarati Garba circuit. That makes his current musical experiment particularly interesting. The singer has released the teaser of his upcoming Dakla-style song, Maavdi, giving listeners a first glimpse of his take on the traditional Gujarati folk sound. The song brings together a distinctly Gujarati musical form with Mehndi’s own contemporary style, creating an interesting crossover between his Punjabi musical roots and Gujarati folk. Mehndi’s catalogue includes the Bollywood track Don’t Be Shy Again, independent releases such as Sajri and Born Rich, and his recent release Chan Mahi. With Maavdi, he is now stepping into a sound that is markedly different from his familiar repertoire. The teaser’s release comes at an apt time, with Navratri around the corner, and adds another layer to the singer’s musical journey. Rather than simply performing a conventional Garba number, Mehndi is exploring the Dakla format and bringing his own interpretation to it. For an audience that once came primarily to dance to familiar Garba and Dandiya numbers, the modern Navratri concert has become a much broader live music experience. And while the traditional beats remain at its centre, the voices around them are becoming increasingly diverse.

Birla Studios and Applause Entertainment’s Hunkkaar: The Roar trends globally, emerges as a major success on JioHotstar

Birla Studios and Applause Entertainment’s Hunkkaar: The Roar trends globally, emerges as a major success on JioHotstar JioHotstar’s Hunkkaar: The Roar has emerged as a major success since its September 25 release, trending globally and sparking widespread online conversation around its gripping courtroom drama. Produced by Birla Studios and Applause Entertainment, in association with Purple Pebble Pictures, a Mangata Films Production, the six-part series is created by Karan D Kapadia and Nitya Mehra and stars Aneet Padda, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Raghubir Yadav, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Arjun Mathur and Ram Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra Jonas serving as Executive Producer. At the heart of Hunkkaar is 17-year-old Meenu Rawat (Aneet Padda), who accuses the hugely influential godman Baapji (Raghubir Yadav) of sexual assault. As the case moves from the police investigation to the courtroom, the series looks beyond the crime to examine the ecosystem of unquestioning faith, the power wielded by influential figures and the pressure faced by those who challenge them. This exploration of where faith ends and blind devotion begins has become one of the show’s biggest talking points, with viewers responding to its portrayal of followers who refuse to question their spiritual leader even in the face of serious allegations. The performances have further fuelled the conversation. Padda’s performance has been hailed as the “performance of the year”, while Yadav’s portrayal has been described as a “masterclass in restrained acting”. Reviews have called Hunkkaar a “hard-hitting and impactful courtroom drama” and a “riveting, must-watch”, while also praising its treatment of sexual violence, victim-shaming and blind faith. Ultimately, Hunkkaar's growing online conversation is being driven by a question that sits at the heart of the show: where does faith end and blind devotion begin? With all six episodes now streaming on JioHotstar, Hunkkaar: The Roar continues to find audiences worldwide, making it a compelling watch this long weekend.

Mahalakshmi Iyer and Shriram Iyer Come Together for ‘Melodies for Change’ in Mumbai

Mahalakshmi Iyer and Shriram Iyer Come Together for ‘Melodies for Change’ in Mumbai The live concert brought together music and a shared commitment to supporting village integration and transformation through education, healthcare, livelihood and environmental initiatives

Mumbai, 1 October 2026: The Jamshed Bhabha Theatre, NCPA, hosted ‘Melodies for Change’ on Thursday evening, bringing together singers Mahalakshmi Iyer and Shriram Iyer for an evening of music in support of the work of Light of Life Trust (LOLT). The concert was organised to raise support for LOLT’s work towards village integration and transformation, with its programmes spanning four key areas - Education, Healthcare, Livelihood and Environment. Through these initiatives, the Trust works towards creating opportunities and strengthening communities in rural and underserved areas. Mahalakshmi Iyer and Shriram Iyer presented a mix of popular Hindi and regional songs, moving across contemporary favourites and retro classics. The set included songs such as Aaj Ki Raat, Kabhi Shaam Dhale, Bol Na Halke Halke, Falak Tak, Mitwa, Lag Ja Gale and Abhi Na Jao Chhod Kar. The regional segment featured Sairaat Zhala Ji and Apsara Aali, followed by a flute feature and Dum a Dum Mast Kalandar. The evening also featured an upbeat dance segment with songs including Dum Maro Dum, Galla Goodiyaan, London Thumakda and Tare Gin Gin. The concert concluded with Jai Ho and Hindustani. Mahalakshmi Iyer said, “There is something very special about performing live and seeing an audience connect with a song in that moment. Melodies for Change brought music and a meaningful purpose together, and it was lovely to be part of an evening that allowed us to share that experience with the audience.” Shriram Iyer added, “Music has always been about connection — between the artist, the song and the audience. Melodies for Change gave us an opportunity to create that connection on stage while also supporting a meaningful cause. It was wonderful to share the evening with Mahalakshmi and everyone who came together for it.” Mr. Ramesh Daswani, CEO of Light of Life Trust, explained to the audience the Trust’s current village transformation initiative and the various programmes proposed across the two villages, Donewadi and Saraiwadi, in Karjat Taluka. The evening also brought together several well-wishers and partners of Light of Life Trust who extended their support to the cause through pledges, contributing towards the Trust’s ongoing work across its four focus areas. As part of the evening, Shri Nichal H. Israni, Chairman, Blue Cross Laboratories Ltd., a well-wisher, donor and 95-year-old long-standing supporter of Light of Life Trust, was honoured for his continued support of the Trust over several years. Villy Doctor, Founder, Light of Life Trust, said, “Music has a wonderful way of bringing people together. Melodies for Change gave us an opportunity to bring people together not only through music, but also around a shared purpose — supporting village integration and transformation. We are grateful to the artists, our well-wishers, partners and supporters who came together and pledged their support towards our work across education, healthcare, livelihood and environment.” The event was supported by LIC as Co-Associate Sponsor; Union Bank, Bank of India and New India Assurance as Supporting Sponsors; Free Press Journal, CSR Universe and Navbharat Times as Media Partners; and Selvel as the Outdoor Partner.

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Malaysia Aviation Group Signs SPA with Airbus for the Acquisition of Sepang Aircraft Engineering KLIA, 1 October 2026 – Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) has signed a Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) with Airbus for the acquisition of Sepang Aircraft Engineering (SAE), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Airbus Group. The proposed acquisition marks a strategic milestone under MAG's Long-Term Business Plan 3.0 (LTBP 3.0), supporting the Group's strategy to strengthen its engineering and maintenance capabilities, expand its integrated aviation services portfolio and accelerate the growth of third-party revenue. Captain Nasaruddin A. Bakar, President and Group Chief Executive Officer of MAG, said, “It has been a challenging year for the aviation industry, with a constantly changing global environment, volatile fuel prices putting immense pressure on the sector, and challenges that have tested us in many ways. Against this backdrop, as we execute LTBP 3.0, we remain focused on making disciplined investments in areas where we see a clear pathway to sustainable value creation. This means being deliberate about where we deploy capital and prioritising opportunities that strengthen our core businesses, diversify revenue and support the Group’s long-term growth aspirations. The proposed acquisition reflects this approach. It builds on our established engineering and maintenance foundations, positioning MAG to capture opportunities in the growing MRO market and meet increasing third-party demand. SAE further complements MAB Engineering’s existing capabilities through its A320 expertise, dedicated paint hangar and specialised component repair services, while building on the strong technical, operational and quality foundations developed under Airbus' stewardship. Together, these strengths will enable MAG to offer a broader suite of MRO solutions and better serve existing and new third-party customers across ASEAN and beyond. At the same time, we are leveraging Malaysia’s competitive cost-to-skill advantage and established engineering expertise to support the country's accelerated ambition to become a leading regional aerospace hub - strengthening Malaysia’s position and driving the continued growth of the national aviation ecosystem.” The transaction remains subject to the fulfilment of customary Conditions Precedent, including approval from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM). MAG will continue to work closely with SAE, CAAM and other relevant stakeholders to facilitate the necessary approvals and ensure a smooth completion of the transaction targeted for 2027. About Malaysia Aviation Group Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) is a global aviation organisation comprising three core business portfolios: Airline Business, Aviation Services, and Loyalty & Travel Services. The Airline Business portfolio serves global, domestic, and segmented markets through Malaysia Airlines – the national carrier; Firefly – the regional airline focused on connecting communities across Malaysia and ASEAN; and Amal by Malaysia Airlines – the leading one-stop pilgrimage travel solutions centre. The Aviation Services portfolio offers a full suite of capabilities, comprising MAB Engineering, the maintenance, repair and overhaul services provider; MASkargo, the cargo and logistics solutions provider; AeroDarat Services, the ground handling services provider; MAG Culinary Solutions, overseeing all F&B-related strategies, operations and services across MAG; and MAB Academy, the centre of excellence for aviation and hospitality training. The Loyalty & Travel Services portfolio delivers end-to-end travel solutions and loyalty programmes, strengthening MAG’s core expertise in airline and aviation services. It includes Journify – an integrated digital platform offering travel and lifestyle experiences; Enrich – Malaysia Airlines’ award-winning travel and lifestyle loyalty programme; and MHholidays – the Group’s dedicated flight and hotel package platform.