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Rapper Sidhu Moose Wala: uncanny death by murder, and politics

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Famous Punjabi rapper Sidhu Moose Wala was gunned down in his home town of Mansa in the north Indian state in a shocking incident. The singer, with millions of fans, was 29 and killed in broad daylight.

While the murder is bound to open a can of worms in a state that just saw government changing hands and less than 24 hours after his security cover was reduced, the death of the singer has invoked a travesty of fate given that his last song released on May 15 and was titled The Last Ride.

The song was uploaded to Sidhu’s official YouTube channel, where it garnered close to 10 million views. Ironically, that song was Moose Wala’s tribute to rapper Tupac Shakur (also referred to as 2Pac), who was shot dead in his car at the age of 25 in 1996). The song’s cover pic was the car Tupac was in that day.

Canadian-based gangster Goldy Brar has claimed responsibility for the incident saying his local module carried it out. Two cars, a Toyota and a Balero, followed his black jeep for a while before the occupants pulled the trigger. Ironically another album of Moose Wala was 295, which also became the date of his death.

The inspiration for the manner of killing may have a model in place but the circumstances around the incident are very murky.

Punjab DGP VK Bhawra said the incident seemed to be a result of inter-gang rivalry, and that special investigation team (SIT) had been formed to probe the matter. “Sidhu Moose Wala had a private bulletproof car that he didn’t take with him. On the orders of the CM, IG range has been directed to form an SIT. Three weapons were used. SSP Mansa and SSP Bathinda deployed there. ADG law and order has mobilised additional forces,” Bhawra said.

He loved to travel in an open jeep like on Sunday when he was with two friends, who are also admitted in serious condition. According to police, Moose Wala suffered bullet injuries and was rushed to a local hospital in Mansa. Dr Ranjeet Rai, civil surgeon at the Mansa hospital, said the singer was brought dead.

But social media was abuzz with speculation about the politics behind it. The singer, whose original name is Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, joined the Congress in December 2021 and unsuccessfully contested the Punjab assembly elections as a candidate from his home district of Mansa.

He lost to Aam Aadmi Party leader Vijay Singla. While he travelled to Dubai for a concert weeks after the election, Singla and his Aam Aadmi Party assumed power for the first time in Punjab as voters elected it to power in the hope of a welcome change.

While Moose Wala himself was in the headlines for wrong reasons – he had four cases against him – Singla also was sacked as health minister after a court sent him to judicial custody on May 27 for corruption charges.

The Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab had said Moose Wala’s songs promoted drugs and gun violence. The singer also has several cases registered against him for promoting weapons in his videos.

His debut album PBX1 and later Moosetape charted in the Canadian Hot 100 tracks. He also had to apologise for using a revered figure in Sikh Culture, Mai Bhago, in one of his singles.

During the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic, Moose Wala got into a controversy when he was seen firing a rifle at a shooting range of the Punjab Police, who were accompanying him during a public health programme.

Opposition parties reacted strongly and blamed the Bhagwant Mann-led government in Punjab. The singer’s party, the Congress said Mann had “blood on his hands”.

The chief minister is being blamed by opposition leaders for withdrawing his security and then for posting the order of the withdrawal on social media.

Chief minister Mann appealed for calm and said those involved will not be spared. “I am shocked and deeply saddened by the gruesome murder of Siddhu Moosewala. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and his fans across the world,” he tweeted.

Filmstars and celebrities also have started expressing their condolences and shock at the incident.

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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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