New face of governance: How personal branding is reshaping state elections

Fire and misfire: Firebrand BJP MP Tejasvi Surya is known for his outspoken ways, and has often escaped unscathed—except this time. During a debate on the Union government’s delimitation bill, he launched a fierce attack on the Congress, criticising the party’s poor political management. But his choice of example backfired. Surya said the 2014 bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh was handled “worse than the British partition of India and Pakistan”. The comparison triggered a row, particularly from Telangana leaders across party lines, who argued that equating a longstanding statehood movement with one of history’s bloodiest tragedies was unacceptable. Congress workers burned effigies of Surya, and K.T. Rama Rao of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi called the remark “utterly foolish”. The episode was notable not just for catching Surya off guard, but also for briefly uniting Telangana’s otherwise fractious political scene | Illustrations by Job P.K.

A note across party lines: Senior BJP leader and former Maharashtra chief minister Narayan Rane recently celebrated his 74th birthday at Kankavli, his hometown in Sindhudurg district. Speaking at the event, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recalled how Rane had always encouraged young leaders. When Fadnavis first became an MLA, the Konkan strongman was the leader of opposition. Fadnavis recalled that after delivering his maiden speech in the assembly, the first written note of appreciation he received was not from any of his BJP colleagues, but from Rane. “Your speech was excellent,” the note read. For Fadnavis, the anecdote was a touching example of cross-party generosity. But given Rane’s eventual entry into the BJP, it may also be attributed to the veteran leader’s political foresight.

Time of their lives: It seems Bollywood’s biggest power couple is expanding their fame and their family. Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh announced that they are expecting their second baby with a cute photo on Instagram of their daughter Dua holding a pregnancy test kit that shows a positive result. The two got married in 2018 at Lake Como and welcomed their first child in 2024. The news comes after the phenomenal success of Ranveer’s Dhurandhar 2, which has become the third highest-grossing Indian film of all time, after Dangal and Baahubali 2. Deepika, too, is reportedly busy with several high-profile projects including Shah Rukh Khan’s King and Allu Arjun’s Raaka. When it rains, it certainly pours | Getty Images

Sign us up!: Sanjay Dutt’s Aakhri Sawal will make history upon its release on May 8 as the first Hindi film to release with Indian Sign Language. The makers took the bold step to make the film accessible to the millions of Indians who are hearing-impaired. Aakhri Sawal focuses on the 100-year journey of the RSS through the story of a student who challenges a professor when his thesis is rejected. The Abhijeet Mohan-directorial also stars Neetu Chandra, Sameera Reddy, Amit Sadh and Namashi Chakraborty. In Hollywood, dozens of award-winning movies have been made with sign language, including the multiple Oscar-winning Coda and the much-acclaimed A Quiet Place, starring John Krasinsky | AFP

Writing on the wall: Fans are practising their moon dance as the much-anticipated biopic of Michael Jackson—Michael—is hitting the screens on April 24. Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s nephew who is portraying the king of pop in the film, could not be more thrilled. Fitting, since the making of Thriller, along with other hit albums like Off The Wall and Bad, will form a substantial part of the film. To prepare for the role, Jaafar created a research room with the walls filled with his uncle’s quotes, personal writings and achievements. Directed by Antoine Fuqua of Training Day fame and written by John Logan, the man behind Gladiator and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, it looks like Michael is in good hands, especially if the nephew has inherited some of his uncle’s pizazz | AP

Don’t mess with my dress: At Coachella, Madonna was a sight to behold as she made a surprise appearance during Sabrina Carpenter’s headlining set. She wore the same corset, boots and Gucci jacket from her last Coachella appearance 20 years ago. But to her consternation, the vintage costumes went missing soon after the performance. “These aren’t just clothes, they are part of my history,” shared the 67-year-old pop star on Instagram, offering a reward to anyone who could find and return them to her. Her Coachella appearance comes on the eve of Confessions II, the official sequel to her 2005 album which releases on July 3. Knowing the queen of pop, she is all set to make the world dance to her tunes, stolen clothes or not | Getty Images