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Gokulam Kerala’s Tajikistan striker Komron Tursunov

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New Delhi [India], August 26 (ANI): Tajikistan striker Komron Tursunov said on Saturday that the Indian football team has improved a lot in recent years and the coach Igor Stimac has done a great job with them.

Tursunov, a regular in the Tajikistan National Team, is no stranger to India at the international level. The Crowns had last played India in the Intercontinental Cup 2019 (where they won 4-2), and are now hoping to play the Blue Tigers again in the Merdeka Tournament in October as well.

“We played India a few years back in Ahmedabad, which was quite an experience. Now, just a few days back we heard that we will play the Merdeka Cup as well in Malaysia, where India will also be participating. It will be special to play India again in Malaysia. I hope both our teams make it to thefinal, and we can play each other for the trophy,” said the striker as quoted by the All India Football Federation (AIFF). “We may have beaten them the last time we played, but India has improved a lot over the last few years. Their Croatian coach (Igor Stimac) has done a brilliant job with the team. It will be a good match if we get to face each other,” said Tursunov.

Tajik attacker Tursunov has become a well-known and well-loved name in Indian Football, especially in the I-League over the recent few seasons. The 27-year-old first landed in Kolkata, where he won the I-League title with Mohun Bagan on his first try, instantly becoming a crowd favourite.

He has had impressive stints with TRAU FC and Churchill Brothers, and is now all set to gun for the top prize once again, as he joins title contenders and two-time champions Gokulam Kerala FC.

“India has become like my second home, I love being here. The people are very welcoming, the cities are bustling, and Indian Football is ever-growing. It’s great to be back here,” said Tursunov to the-aiff.com.

Gokulam Kerala has had a good run in the pre-season, having made it to the quarter-finals of the Durand Cup, where they lost 1-2 at the hands of East Bengal. It hasn’t been a week since Tursunov joined the Kerala side, but the vibes he feels are all positive.

“It is only been a few days since I joined Gokulam, but I am really enjoying it here. My teammates have all been very welcoming, and there is a concerted focus on winning the I-League and gaining promotion to the ISL,” he said.

“I have won the I-League once with Mohun Bagan, but I now want to win it a second time, and I hope that comes this season itself,” he added.

The Merdeka Tournament is set to take place in the October international window, with India facing hosts Malaysia in the first semi-final, while Tajikistan will face Palestine in the second one; both matches are slated to take place on October 13. The winners of the two matches will play for the Merdeka title in the final on October 17, while the two losing teams will play the third-place match on the same date.

Like every other international footballer, Tursunov also barely finds any time to spend with his family during the off-season, due to national team engagements. However, when he does find the time, he often spends it doing one of the most Indian things one could think of.

“This off-season was a busy one for me, I was with the national team for a long time, when we went to Uzbekistan and then to Dubai, but thankfully I did get to spend some time with my family. We all love watching Bollywood movies in Tajikistan, where we get some Indian TV channels. My family and I did much of the same,” laughed the ardent fan of Shah Rukh Khan.

Gokulam Kerala are set to continue their pre-season preparations before the I-League season, which is expected to get underway in October. (ANI)

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OSCAR SHOCKS AND SURPRISES: WHO IS LIKELY TO WIN BIG ON HOLLYWOOD’S BIGGEST NIGHT

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On the big screen, Deadpool clashed with Wolverine in a spectacle that set social media abuzz, while animated darling Inside Out 2 stormed the box office — leaving Joker’s sequel in its shadow. Off-camera, there was more drama as Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni found themselves locked in a bitter legal feud.

The off-screen action, however, didn’t stop there. There were debates over The Brutalist’s daring use of AI and Anora’s controversial decision to forgo an intimacy coordinator sparked plenty of heated exchanges on social media.

As the Academy Awards draw near on Sunday, March 2,  2025, the anticipation is palpable. We look at some of the possible winners on Hollywood’s biggest night.

Best Picture: Anora leads, but there others 

Anora is just barely ahead—but only by a hair. Why? A string of major wins, including the Critics Choice, Producers Guild, and Directors Guild Awards, put it in prime position. But rivals like Conclave and The Brutalist are lurking. We could see a historic upset here.

Best Director: Close fight between Sean Baker and Brady Corbet

Two directors, one golden statuette. Sean Baker (Anora) and Brady Corbet (The Brutalist) are neck and neck. But history favours Baker, thanks to the Directors Guild Awards’ near-flawless Oscar track record. Still, nothing is certain.

Best Actor: Both Adrien Brody and Timothée Chalamet are in the race

Adrien Brody (The Brutalist) was cruising toward his second Oscar—until Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown) crashed the party with a major SAG win! Brody is still the favourite, but don’t be shocked if Chalamet pulls off a dramatic last-minute upset.

Best Actress: Demi Moore has a fair chance 

Demi Moore (The Substance) has swept the Golden Globes, Critics Choice, and SAG Awards. But with Anora’s Mikey Madison taking the BAFTA and I’m Still Here’s Fernanda Torres still in play, Moore’s victory lap could be premature.

Best Supporting Actor: Could Kieran Culkin lose?

Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain) has dominated awards season. Could someone else steal the statue? Sure. But at 87.7% likelihood, this one looks locked in.

Best Supporting Actress: This could be a clean sweep for Zoe Saldana 

Despite chatter that controversy around Emilia Pérez could hurt her chances, Zoe Saldaña is sweeping through the competition. The numbers say she’s almost certain to take home gold.

Best Animated flick: The Wild Robot could go for gold

Chris Sanders has been nominated four times — but never won. At 55 per cent, The Wild Robot is the favourite. But Flow and Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl are still in the game.

Best International movie: A twist in the tale

Emilia Pérez was expected to dominate — but controversy, critic-audience divides, and I’m Still Here gaining ground could mean a shocking upset.

Final Thoughts: Who will win, who’ll lose

There’s no such thing as a sure thing at the Oscars — but if the data is right, expect major moments, potential heartbreaks, and perhaps a few historic wins.

(Source: Hollywood Reporter, BBC)

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Bollywood power couple Govinda’s marriage on the rocks after 40 years

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Salman Khan’s ‘nepotism’ joke steals the show at nephew Ayaan’s song launch in Dubai

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Salman Khan has never been one to hold back, and at a recent event in Dubai, he added his signature dose of humour to the oft-debated topic of nepotism in Bollywood. The superstar, fondly known as Sallubhai, was in town to launch his nephew Ayaan Agnihotri’s debut song, “Universal Laws”, and in true Salman style, he had the audience in splits with his witty remark.

As Dubai’s DJ Bliss – who hosted the event – praised the Khan family for their unwavering support for Ayaan, Salman quipped, “That’s what nepotism is!” His playful jab left everyone in the room in splits.

And as the crowd cheered, Salman officially launched the song, marking Ayaan’s much-anticipated entry into the music world.

A Star-Studded Affair

The event turned into a Bollywood reunion, with stars like Arbaaz Khan, Sohail Khan, Neha Dhupia, Angad Bedi, and other celebrities coming together to celebrate Ayaan’s big moment.

During his speech, Salman highlighted that Ayaan, the son of Atul Agnihotri and Alvira Khan Agnihotri (Salman’s sister), hails from a family of seasoned film producers. He also mentioned that Ayaan’s cousin, Alizeh Agnihotri, who recently made her Bollywood debut, shares the same film-driven lineage.

Ayaan and Salman’s Previous Collaboration

This isn’t the first time the uncle-nephew duo has joined forces. Salman and Ayaan previously worked together on the track, “You Are Mine”, where the young artist showcased his rap skills alongside the Bollywood megastar. The song, composed by Vishal Mishra, became a talking point among fans.

Salman & Sanjay Dutt Spotted in Saudi Arabia

Meanwhile, Salman is keeping busy with multiple projects. A recent video circulating on social media showed him and actor Sanjay Dutt filming on the streets of Saudi Arabia. The clip, shared by an X user, captured the two actors casually chatting with crew members.

The buzz is that Salman and Sanjay are working on a cameo appearance in the Bollywood remake of the 2021 Argentine film Seven Dogs. While details remain under wraps, fans are excited to see the duo share screen space again.

From family celebrations in Dubai to shooting in Saudi Arabia, Salman Khan is proving yet again that his star power knows no boundaries.

(Inputs from Hindustan Times, Zee News)

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