Jai Ho! Is the Indian alcohol industry the next global powerhouse?

Paws and effect: When lawyers swarmed the Supreme Court over the stray dogs issue, Justice Vikram Nath set aside an entire day for canine concerns and cheerfully announced that all concerned could make their cases then. Justice Sandeep Mehta couldn’t resist pointing out that cases involving actual humans rarely attract this many lawyers or such judicial urgency | Illustrations by Job P.K.

Re-Pawaring ties: Municipal corporation election campaign is heating up in Maharashtra, with a war of words erupting everywhere. Both NCP factions have joined forces in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, energising cadres who see this as a trial run for a full reunion. Word is that Sharad Pawar may discuss bringing both factions together after he retires from the Rajya Sabha in a few months. The proposed formula: Ajit Pawar handles the state while Supriya Sule represents the party nationally. Leaders from Ajit Pawar’s camp say they’re fine with anything—as long as the party stays allied with whoever’s in power.

Composition check: Director Pa. Ranjith’s annual event, Margazhiyil Makkalisai, proved a roaring success this year—both in content and the turnout from across Tamil Nadu. Ranjith, never one to mince words against state and central establishments, created the festival to champion people’s music as an alternative to the classical concerts that dominate Chennai’s Margazhi season. This year’s massive footfall has apparently rattled the ruling DMK, despite its own deputy general secretary attending. With elections approaching, state intelligence has been assigned to investigate the political affiliations of VVIPs and key figures who were present at the event.

Scripting the future: Nobel laureate and Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado is publishing a book—The Freedom Manifesto—that will lay out her vision for her country’s future. The book was written before the capture of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro by the US, but Tony Lyons of Skyhorse Publishing that is bringing it out, says that he is asking her to write a postscript that takes note of recent events. The publishing date, which was initially February 3, has been pushed back to incorporate the new material. Fifty thousand copies of the 120-page book are being published in the US | Getty Images

Birthday wish: Deepika Padukone might have made her mark on-screen, but she could be leaving her legacy behind it. Upon turning 40, she launched her “passion project”—OnSet—an experiential learning programme for technicians working across film and TV. “Visit onsetprogram.in, send in your work, tell us about yourself and stand a chance to work with or create with the best in the business,” she shared on Instagram. “I cannot wait to welcome the next generation of creative talent On Set.” She says that over the years, she has seen how important those who work behind the scenes are to the industry. Happy birthday, Deepika. May you realise your dream to help others realise theirs! | Getty Images

An Excellent decision?: Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s production house Excel Entertainment, valued at Rs2,700 crore, has sold 30 per cent of its stake for Rs800 crore to Dutch-American music giant Universal Music Group. This makes it Indian entertainment’s biggest minority stakes deal. The sale prompted comparisons with Serene Productions acquiring a 50 per cent stake in Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions two years ago, but unlike the Dharma deal, Excel retains full creative control. Excel Entertainment was launched in 1999 with its first film being Dil Chahta Hai | PTI

Potshots at the POTUS: Upon winning the 2026 Critics Choice Award for best talk show, Jimmy Kimmel expressed his gratitude to his most popular muse. “I want to thank our president, Donald Jennifer Trump, without whom we would be going home empty-handed tonight,” he said. “So thank you, Mr President, for all the many ridiculous things you do each and every day.” Kimmel and Trump have been at loggerheads for a while now. When his show came back on air after being suspended last September due to pressure from the Federal Communications Commission, the comedian quipped that he was back to give Trump a “richly deserved bollocking” | Getty Images